Kirkcaldy Lottery celebrates second anniversary

In its two years the Lottery has given thousands of local people the chance to win, while putting tens of thousands of pounds back into projects that are visibly changing the town.

For local people the chances of winning are better than many other lotteries, tickets are cheap at just £1 and every ticket helps Kirkcaldy.

Since launching in September 2024, the lottery has supported 14 projects, from major public artworks and High Street improvements to community initiatives and events – as well as the Wemyss Ware Cat Trail.

More than £60,000 has already been invested back into the Kirkcaldy Projects Fund, helping to pay for everything from public art and improvements to the High Street to community initiatives and cultural projects.

The lottery money works as a catalyst for community improvement. Relatively small amounts of lottery funding can help unlock sponsorship, match funding and other investment, allowing the impact of each pound raised locally to go even further.

The Adam Smith Global Foundation, which runs the Kirkcaldy Lottery, explains that the approach is deliberately different from simply handing out grants.

Gordon Povey, Chief Executive of the Adam Smith Global Foundation, said: “We wanted to create something where people could have a bit of fun, have a genuine chance of winning something, and at the same time see the money they spend coming back into their own town.

“Two years on, we are seeing the impact. Thousands of prizes have been won, and the community is enjoying the resulting projects – from the improvements to the High Street to the fabulous Wemyss Ware cats.”

Winners have received cash prizes, extra tickets and special draw prizes, although the £25,000 jackpot is still waiting for its first Kirkcaldy Lottery winner.

The most spectacular example of the Lottery’s influence so far has been the recent Wemyss Ware Cat Trail, Kirkcaldy’s first public sculpture trail.

Seventeen giant fibreglass cats, each individually designed by an artist, popped up all over town. The cats have celebrated Kirkcaldy’s Wemyss Ware heritage and encouraged residents and visitors to explore different parts of the area.

The trail has been supported by the Kirkcaldy Lottery alongside the Adam Smith Global Foundation and local sponsors.

The cats follow a series of smaller but highly visible lottery-supported projects, including murals and artworks on vacant High Street premises, improvements to shopfronts and hoardings, graffiti removal, painted electrical boxes and other projects designed to make the town centre more attractive.

Gordon added: “If you’re going to play a lottery anyway, why not play one where you have a better chance of winning and where 60 per cent of your ticket goes straight back into Kirkcaldy?

“You might win £25,000. You might win £25. Or you might simply enjoy seeing what your £1 has helped create.

“Either way, you win.”

Visit the website www.kirkcaldylottery.co.uk.