If Adam Smith was inspired by our waterfront, why is Kirkcaldy still ignoring it?
Adam Smith got it. He looked out to the water, realised trade was international, wrote a book that defined trade and economics. Became pure dead famous.
Here we are 250 years later, and the same estuary which inspired his greatest works, is still begging to be put to use for the town.
We don’t have to look far to see what Kirkcaldy could have with some investment and - perhaps even more important - a willingness to bold and ambitious
In Elie on Saturday, the beach front was a hive of activity in and out of the water. Surfers tested themselves as the waves landed, canoes were stacked at the beach, while stand up boarders revelled in the blustery conditions.
The nearby outdoor sauna had folk popping in and out all afternoon, and, as the tide went out, the Ship Inn Cricket Club got to work clearing seaweed, and turning the sands into a pitch for the annual game against the MCC as folk kicked back in the sands for an afternoon of sport and socialising.
Elie Watersports is a fabulous hub, and one that is looking to expand to offer year-round activities.
Sitting on the beach watching the world go by - and ducking to avoid the occasional ball hit for six into the crowd - it was hard not to compare it with Kirkcaldy’s long waterfront which is shockingly underused.
Where Elie has a sports hub, we have a derelict, dilapidated old boat shed which has sat empty since a fire more than 25 years ago. That’s a quarter century of nothingness.
It’s owned by Forth Ports. It’s time it actually did something with the land or the building - or both.
And if it has no ideas or plans - and I suspect it doesn’t judging by previous responses to our inquiries - then it ought to hand it to the town before the £20million is allocated and it still sits there, unused, unwanted, unloved. If nothing happens then it becomes just another missed opportunity. We’ve previous with too many of those round these parts.
More and more people are pushing for new projects which finally tap into the potential of our waterfront.
Amby Stanyer Hunter’s recent open meeting talked of an artificial reef and an outdoor pool to tap into a key tourism market, while the failure to use the beach for anything was also highlighted.
If Elie can work round the tide and manage to play cricket and polo - and that’s about as North East Fife as you can possibly get - then why can’t the Lang Toun bring fitba’ and volleyball, or even some old fashioned beach games to town? It’s a canvas waiting to be coloured-in with activity,
I love what the council has done to the Esplanade with the addition of artwork - it looks better than ever, and the kids’ games are a focal point for many families out for a wander.
But think what we could achieve with proper investment in facilities to turn Kirkcaldy into a go-to destination for the surfers, canoeists and kayakers all heading up the coast?
There’s room for both destinations to thrive, but we’ve not even dipped our toe in the water despite huge swathes of unused land next to the Basin.
It’s time to be bold and brave and jump in with both feet. The £20million has to deliver a clear, tangible benefit to this town.
Our waterfront inspired Smith and turned him into a global influence. It holds just as much potential for the town in 2026, if we care to unlock it.