" Kirkcaldy is a royal burgh and a populous thriving seaport. From the narrow dimensions on which the town stands, the inhabitants have had to build their houses in a continuous line along the shore giving rise to the name "the lang toun of Kirkcaldy". The number of vessels belonging to the port at present is 74 with an aggregate burthen of 9956 tons. The principal imports are flax and grain. Vessels from here have been employed in the Davis Strait whale fishery for many years, and 2 vessels are at present so engaged. The trade of Kirkcaldy is similar to that of Dundee - spinning flax and weaving coarse linen goods. There is also a large floorcloth manufactory, brewing, ironfounding, machine making, and a considerable corn and meal trade. As well as the parish church, there are a free church and chapels for united presbyterians, baptists and independents. " edited from Slater's Directory published 1852.

Kirkcaldy is an industrial city in Fife looking out on a stretch of the Firth of Forth busy with commercial ships and tankers. Nicknamed The Lang Toun because it was once just a long street, the city's fortunes were made in Linoleum, an industry that is all but gone in this modern age. The seafront promenade while elegantly straight lacks a little in character while a host of car-parks screen the main shopping area from the sea. However the city is a busy place and on any Saturday the centre is lively with shoppers. Adam Smith, author of the Wealth of Nations was born here in 1723.