Unique installation on Kirkcaldy Esplanade celebrates the town’s unsung women

It celebrates five women who have made a difference in the Lang Toun - and who were nominated by local people.

The installation forms part of the year-long Nova Project, launched by theatre company Stellar Quines to shine a light on local women, non-binary and trans people.

The portraits, all taken by photographer Cate Gillon, will be in place for three months on the Esplanade, opposite the Mercat Shopping Centre, and anyone walking along the town’s seafront can learn more about the extraordinary women who matter most to the people of Kirkcaldy.

The five subjects were all nominated by local people who took part in workshops, attended events or who were approached on the street by the Stellar Quines team asking the simple question- who are Kirkcaldy’s unsung heroines?

The company, which is based in the Kings Theatre on the Esplanade, has received over 100 nominations so far and will be sharing their stories throughout 2026 through arts projects, new writing and events.

The installation includes portraits of women who have been recognised for their leadership, supporting their community and for their artistic work.They have been built into three benches by Big House Events, encouraging passersby to take a moment to sit and enjoy the portraits as well as the sea view.

Caitlin Skinner, Stellar Quines’ artistic director, said: “It has been incredibly moving and inspiring to hear the stories of the women of Kirkcaldy through the Nova Project. Gathering nominations has been a beautiful experience.

“We’ve had young men nominate teachers and authors, a mother and daughter nominating their neighbour who left an amazing legacy, support workers nominating their service users for their incredible resilience. We’ve had nominations for women who work in local businesses and bring joy to their customers.

“Together they start to tell the wider story of the women, non-binary and trans people of Kirkcaldy and these five women in Cate’s portraits represent a lot of what we have heard so far. They all go over and above. They are passionate about what they do and are deeply invested in this town and the people in it.”

The installation opened on Wednesday, May 5 and will be in place until August 10.

Cate added: “As a portrait photographer, I care deeply about who we choose to make visible in public space. This project actively celebrates women whose everyday work in education and community life quietly but powerfully supports society. In Scotland, women remain under-represented in public commemoration, so it was a privilege to produce these portraits in collaboration with Stellar Quines and give prominence to the importance of local women along Kirkcaldy prom.

> The Nova Project is so named because a Nova is a star that creates a brilliant, bright burst of light but which is often hidden behind another star. Nova also means new. This project is a way for Stellar Quines to meet new people across Kirkcaldy and share the stories that are under celebrated, little known or ignored.