Kirkcaldy Galleries

Kirkcaldy Galleries is the main museum, library and exhibition space in Kirkcaldy, a town in Fife, Scotland. Under one roof you will find an art collection, a display on the town's history and a working public library, and admission is free. It makes an easy, unhurried stop on a rainy day.

What is Kirkcaldy Galleries?

The building combines several functions. It houses a museum, a library, a children's library, a PC suite, a cafe, a gift shop, meeting rooms, local and family history rooms and gallery spaces. The collection is managed by Fife Cultural Trust on behalf of Fife Council.

What is the history of the building?

The building opened in 1925 as part of the town's War Memorial. It was funded by John Nairn, a linoleum manufacturer, in memory of his son who was killed in the war. The library followed three years later as an extension in the same style, so the two parts read as a single whole.

Between 2012 and 2013 the building was refurbished at a cost of 2.5 million pounds by Fife Council. It reopened in June 2013.

What can you see in the art collection?

The paintings are the main draw. The galleries hold the largest collection of works by the Scottish Colourist Samuel Peploe outside the National Galleries of Scotland. There is also an extensive set of works by the Victorian painter William McTaggart. If you are interested in Scottish painting from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this is one of the more important places outside the capital.

What will you learn in the museum section?

The museum tells the story of Kirkcaldy. The permanent ground-floor display, Moments in Time, covers key moments in the town's history. It is a good way to understand how Kirkcaldy developed, including the linoleum trade that made the building's donor his fortune.

How do you plan a visit?

• Address: War Memorial Gardens, Kirkcaldy KY1 1YG, set in the war memorial gardens in the town centre.
• Tickets: admission is free.
• Opening hours: these vary by season, so check the current times with Fife Cultural Trust before you go.
• How long to allow: around 1.5 to 2 hours is usually enough for the paintings and the history display, and the cafe gives you a break halfway round.

Frequently asked questions

Is entry to Kirkcaldy Galleries free? Yes, admission is free.

Which paintings are the highlight? The best known are the works of Samuel Peploe, the largest collection of his paintings outside the National Galleries of Scotland, and those of William McTaggart.

Is it only an art gallery? No. It is also a local history museum and a working public library, with a children's section and a cafe.

When was the building constructed? It opened in 1925 as part of the War Memorial, and the library was added three years later.

Can you eat or buy souvenirs there? Yes, the building has a cafe and a gift shop.

Has the building been renovated? Yes. It was refurbished in 2012 to 2013 for 2.5 million pounds and reopened in June 2013.

Kirkcaldy Galleries brings together art, local history and everyday town life, with no entry charge. It is well worth a visit if you are exploring Fife or travelling along Scotland's east coast.