Tens of thousands of visitors expected to flock to Kirkcaldy as Wemyssware Cat Trail launched
Kirkcaldy’s Wemyssware Cat Trail has been launched - and there are now giant moggies to be seen across the distict.
A special event was held at the Adam Smith Theatre to formally introduce the the 17 uniquely decorated cats, and unveil the map which people can pick up to follow the trail.
The cats have been placed across Kirkcaldy as well as Kinghorn, Burntisland and Auchtertool - and their arrival has sparked huge interest.
Dr Gordon Povey, general manager of the Adam Smith Global Foundation - the organisation behind the biggest public art trail ever staged in the Lang Toun - said the cats are expected to bring thousands of visitors to Kirkcaldy. They are in place from now until September, after which they will be auctioned off with the funds returned to the Kirkcaldy Lottery which has backed the initiative.
A total of 15,000 maps have been produced for people to follow the cat trail, and already, a huge number of pictures have been posted on social media as locals spot them.
Each cat has been designed by a Fife artist, giving each one a unique look.
Mr Povey said: “This is the biggest project we have done with a £60,000 budget which is surprisingly small considering how much we have been doing
“Between now and September we expect to welcome tens of additional visitors to the area as a result of the trail, and we estimate the economic benefit could be as high as £500,000 to the area. These are significant numbers and a massive return.”
Melanie Ward, MP for Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy, joined guests at the launch. She said: “It has been brilliant to see the excitement build around town as the cats have started to pop up in different places.
“This could not have happened without the work of the Adam Smith Global Foundation and Kirkcaldy Lottery - they have done so much to make this happen.”
The first two Wemyss Cats, decorated by Griselda Hill from the Wemyss Ware pottery - which owns the trademark - have already gone on show at Kirkcaldy Galleries and the Kings Theatre on the Esplanade.