Old Kirk Tower

Sometimes the most memorable experiences are unplanned. A recent example occurred when we stopped in Kirkcaldy for breakfast and by chance ended up climbing the tower of a historic town-centre church.

We were on our way to the Fife Coast to watch birds and decided to fill up for the day at Wetherspoons. Just off the High Street, the pub chain opens early each day for food, coffee and soft drinks. There are bargain breakfast deals on offer. A large Scottish with unlimited tea/coffee costs just £7.19 and smaller options are also available, along with vegetarian and vegan platters. I've long been a fan of 'Spoons. Supremo Tim Martin may not be everyone's cup of tea (especially politically speaking) but he is a passionate advocate of real ale and all Wetherspoons branches offer a good selection of cask beer at attractive prices. There is ample seating often on different levels) as the pubs are usually the result of converting former banks, cinemas or public buildings. Venues that became unviable in their original guise as we moved into the internet era. It helps breathe some life into our ailing town centres and everyone is welcome, regardless of whether it's a party of ten having a meal or someone seeking a quiet corner to savour a pint. I believe Wetherspoons also fulfils a vital social role, providing a place that doesn't price out people on low incomes. Refillable hot beverages can be obtained for next to nothing. We finished our food and walked back up to the car, passing the Old Kirk which has an attached graveyard. On impulse, we climbed the steps for a look around and a sign informed us the church was open and an exhibition was on offer inside. The display was a digital recreation of Kirkcaldy over the ages and seemed an interesting prospect. I wasn't destined to find out however, as it was announced a tower tour was about to commence. I had been up there before on a Doors Open Day but was quite happy to go for a second look. Off I trotted, to join another three visitors. The spiral staircase led to the bell room where the guide invited us to have a tug on the thick rope. I duly obliged and took my first tentative step into campanology. The tower parapet was narrow and offered a stunning 3D panorama of the Lang Toun.

The weather was perfect for seaward photography and the blue colour tones were spectacular. The harbour originally closed to commercial shipping in 1992 but is now up and running again, taking grain deliveries for the adjacent flour mill. The Kirkcaldy seafront has a mixed heritage of industry and leisure. The mile-long promenade has recently been given a facelift and is a popular spot for local walkers. It's fair to say the expansive beach isn't covered by golden sands but it's a nice place to stretch the legs. As is the case with many medium sized places, Kirkcaldy High Street has struggled economically in the age of online shopping. Reconnecting the people with the waterfront is one way of regenerating the town centre. Looking inland, I picked out the red-brick Forbo Nairn linoleum factory - the last vestige of an industry that once dominated the entire town. Also notable was the white art-deco fire station, built in 1938. I returned downstairs to the spacious interior, now extensively utilised as a community space. The Church of Scotland closed the building as a place of worship in 2010 and it is now managed by a community trust. The tower dates from the 15th century and the first written record of Christian services upon the site was recorded in 1244. The Lang Toun's most famous son - the pioneering economist Adam Smith - was christened here as an infant. Over the past 15 years, the kirk has grown into a busy centre for musical events, drama, business meetings and conferences, while retaining worship by local groups on Sundays.