Kirkcaldy off tourism map...

Hazel Weierter and Alice Soper are highlighting the lack of tourist information services in Kirkcaldy. Pic: Fife Photo Agency.

An enquiry by the Press revealed that from December, visitor information in the town was to be delivered by staff at Kirkcaldy Galleries in an agreement with Visit Scotland and Fife Council.

However when Kirkcaldy woman Hazel Weierter went to the popular attraction two weeks ago, she was shocked to be told that there was no longer a service in the town and that she would have to go to Dunfermline or St Andrews to pick up the leaflets she required.

When she expressed her disappointment that Kirkcaldy didn’t have the same service, she was told that others had expressed similar sentiments.

“I know just how much work is going on to improve the town, from the upgrading of the sea wall and the floral enhancement schemes to the work being done by the Civic Society of which I am a member, and the Galleries itself, so to be told that there was no longer a tourist information to promote this made me very angry,” she said.

“The staff offered to look up the information on the computer and they were very helpful, but I think Kirkcaldy should be able to offer better than this.”

Mrs Weierter’s views were echoed by Alice Soper, chairman of Growing Kirkcaldy, the organisation which has had major success in bringing together the town’s horticultural projects.

“We are doing a lot of work with many groups to enhance the town, and this should be being promoted to its best advantage with a proper service,” she added.

“It is disappointing that Kirkcaldy seems to be getting a second class service which is counter productive to what we are trying to achieve.”

Heather Stuart, chief executive of Fife Cultural Trust which runs Kirkcaldy Galleries, said: “This information is provided by staff referencing Visit Scotland’s publications and website in the Galleries. On this occasion unfortunately, the standards that we aspire to have not been met, and we are exploring fully why this has not been the case, and what action needs taken to ensure that customers are given the support that they should receive in relation to this area.”