Old Kirk talk brings town's potteries history to life

Wemyss pottery cats are sought-after still collectors’ items.

Tonight (Thursday) at 7.30pm Daniel Farrell, from the University of St. Andrews, will give an illustrated talk and display about some pieces of the pottery in Kirkcaldy Old Kirk as one of Kirkcaldy Civic Society’s series of winter talks.

Daniel’s specialism is in the Links Pottery, or Methvens as it is commonly known, but he will talk about all the Kirkcaldy potteries.

The Links Pottery at Linktown had various owners.

It originated in 1714 as a brick works and was owned by William the father of the celebrated 18th century architects Robert and James Adam.

In 1773 the company was bought by its manager, David Methven, with various members of his family taking charge over the following years.

In 1892 the pottery was bought by an ex-employee, A R Young who had become a partner 20 years earlier.

The company tended to copy successful ranges of other manufacturers and achieved very high output, much of which went for export. Creamware was produced from the mid-nineteenth century, and was usually printed or painted.

Several brand names were used including Airlie Ware, Auld Heather Ware and Abbotsford Ware.