Nostalgia: Kirkcaldy hit by floods in 1966

Scores of people were marooned in buildings on the Esplanade and a number of motorists had to be rescued after being trapped in their vehicles.

In some parts the water was several feet deep and among premises completely cut off were the Labour Exchange, with eighteen people inside, the Burma Ballroom and the local bus station and booking office of Alexander’s Buses.

The worst of the flooding was on Tuesday, February 8 when the tides reached highest point. Early on Wednesday morning, there was further flooding but house-holders and businessmen were prepared for the second attack and there was little damage.

Later that day the winds had abated and the double wall managed to cope with most invading sea water at next high tide and, although the bus station again had to be closed, traffic on the Esplanade was not affected.

Dysart, was also hit by the frothing sea and while the sea did not reach the houses along the seafront, it did cause a large breach in the harbour wall. Huge stones were torn out of place and scattered on the pier.

All along the Esplanade business premises were invaded by the floods and there had to be a quick change in the venue of the staff dance due to be held on Tuesday night in the Burma Ballroom by Glencoe Automatics – the owners of the ballroom.

Caterers preparing for the dance were completely isolated and when water began to invade the dance floor, it was decided to switch the function to the Raith Ballroom in Links Street.

At the Troc Cafe, the water inside was a foot deep and it was almost as deep in Clem’s Bar on the corner of Rose Street and Cowan Street.

When the premises were threatened early in the afternoon, publican Clement McLean put up his stormboards but they could not hold back the water.

It poured into the premises and he had to shut stocks of cigarettes on to high shelves.

Traffic in the Esplanade area was completely disrupted and the one-way system on the High Street was suspended for a time to allow vehicles approaching from Dysart, a through road.

The bus station was first to be affected and it was closed long before the Esplanade thoroughfare was closed. Buses which normally used the Prom station had to use temporary stances in Thistle Street and Charlotte Street.

The road was also closed at high tide on Wednesday morning but it remained open when the tide reached its peak early that evening.

Councillor John Brodie said he was concerned about cracks in the harbour wall at Kirkcaldy and intended to raise the matter at the next Town Council meeting.

“While I am not suggesting the wall is in any danger of falling down, it has been pounded by heavy seas.

“Cracks in it were cemented up about seven years ago, but they are now returning.”

He added that he was “amazed” at the speed in which the water had spread over the Esplanade.

“I have lived all of my life on the Esplanade and yesterday’s flooding was the worst I have ever seen,” he said.