The changing face of Kirkcaldy captured in 120 years of photos

More than 200 images show how the Lang Toun has changed

A photographic project to capture the changing face of Kirkcaldy in the last 120 years, has gone on display in the town.

The exhibition pulls together a collection of more than 200 “then and now” images, charting key locations across the Lang Toun and the changes that have taken place.

It is the work of the town’s photographic society, which celebrates its 120th anniversary this year.

The collection was a hit with the public when it was shown at Kirkcaldy Galleries earlier in the year and is returning due to public demand.

Cathy Davis, the society’s syllabus secretary, said: “The exhibition took two years of painstaking and meticulous research, with our members going to each individual site location to recreate the images of some of Kirkcaldy’s most prominent buildings, streets and landscapes.

“The pictures evoke so many memories, especially among older folk in the town. But the photos also act as a social document of just how Kirkcaldy has evolved over the decades.”

Cathy and her colleagues have recreated the exhibition in its entirety, transforming a vacant shop unit within the Mercat Shopping Centre into a pop-up gallery.

Complementing the collection will be a continuous showing of rare film footage capturing various aspects of post-war Kirkcaldy life.

Also included is a collection of photographs taken by members.

“As well as having the main exhibition, we wanted to use the space to showcase some of the breathtaking work by our members, many of who are awardwinning amateurs,” said Cathy.

On Saturday, the society will be holding an open day, hoping to attract new members to join one of Scotland’s oldest and longest-running photographic organisations.

“Whether people have picked up a camera before or not, we want to invite people to come and see what we are all about and some of the exciting projects and activities that members are involved in,” said Cathy.

The free exhibition continues daily, from 10am until 5pm, at the former mobility scooter hire shop, Mercat Shopping Centre, until September 15.

“The pictures evoke so many memories, especially among older folk in the town. But the photos also act as a social document of just how Kirkcaldy has evolved. CATHY DAVIS, KIRKCALDY PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY

Picture: Neil Henderson. Kirkcaldy Photographic Society members Ron Walker, Stewart Russell and Cathy Davis at the exhibition.