Kirkcaldy Car Hire

Guide to Kirkcaldy

Kirkcaldy history

The town began life as a burgh under the control of Dunfermline Abbey and then gradually started to flourish after a harbour was built around the east burn and Baltic trade bolstered its coffers. Kirkcaldy really started to boom during the Industrial Revolution and into the first half of the 20th Century, when it became a global hub for the production of linoleum flooring. Nowadays, it’s a busy town with a diverse retail and business sector.

Kirkcaldy culture

A town that punches above its weight when it comes to arty activities, Kirkcaldy’s culture is captivating. Kirkcaldy Art Club recently celebrated its 50th anniversary and members create everything from greetings cards to ceramics and glasswork, while the aforementioned Kirkcaldy Galleries regularly exhibits work from popular artists like Jack Vettriano (a native Fifer and Kirkcaldy resident), William McTaggart and the colourist S J Peploe. There’s also a local museum with fascinating local history artefacts, a varied theatre and live music scene, and much more besides!

Famous faces from Kirkcaldy

The town’s famous sons and daughters include the father of modern economics Adam Smith, influential Neoclassical architect Robert Adam, bestselling crime writer Val McDermid, former Prime Minister of the UK, Gordon Brown, former world professional darts champion Jocky Wilson and Coldplay bass player Guy Berryman.

Things to do in Kirkcaldy

Peruse the promenade

Perhaps nothing characterises Kirkcaldy’s nickname ‘The Lang Toun’ (Scots for ‘The Long Town’) as much as the extensive promenade which runs along its seafront, within easy walking distance of the town centre’s shops and cafes. A beautiful place to take a stroll and gaze out over the water, it offers easy access for parents with buggies, as well as for wheelchair users and dog walkers. Toilets are available and you’ll usually find fast food vans where you can buy a tasty burger or ice cream.

Kirkcaldy pub crawl

Fancy parking up your car for a while and letting your hair down for a fabulous Fife night out? You might be surprised by how entertaining a Kirkcaldy pub crawl is and you’ll enjoy some brilliant banter with the local characters. The Penny Farthing on the High Street is a traditional bar where there’s always a warm welcome, Betty Nicol’s Bar is another favourite with a great selection of drinks, and The Exchequer offers reasonably priced wine, beer and snacks. Fill your boots!

Cheer on Rovers and Flyers

If you love the roar of the crowd, Kirkaldy has two terrific professional sports teams. Raith Rovers FC have won Scotland's second-tier league five times and made it to the second round of the UEFA Cup after qualifying through winning the League Cup in 1994. Meanwhile, Fife Flyers were established back in 1938 and are the UK’s oldest professional ice hockey team. They play at Fife Ice Arena and have been British national league champions several times.

Eating out in Kirkcaldy

Want to tempt your taste buds in Kirkcaldy? Feast on our menu below!

Fine dining

There are several delectable restaurants where you can enjoy fine dining in Kirkcaldy. The menu at The Waterfront features perfectly prepared steak, game, seafood, pasta and vegetarian options, Pane E Vino is a beloved Italian restaurant serving generous portions of delicious Mediterranean favourites and charcoal-grilled meats, and Kou Shi on the High Street created the world’s first haggis sushi! Alternatively, for something hearty and delicious, try more Asian treats at Annapurna Gurkhas Restaurant.

Pub grub

Kirkcaldy is also perfect for great British pub grub. At The Path Tavern, you can tuck into freshly prepared organic salad, the popular chicken combo, steak pie and chips with all the trimmings, and delish desserts like chocolate fudge. Novar is another nice option, with fab choices like the signature haggis fritter, honey mustard chicken and beef enchiladas, while Home Farm View serves varied value for money meals that suit the whole family and a vast range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

Street food

Need a quick and mouth watering meal to pick up and enjoy back at your Kirkcaldy hotel? There are a few fantastic street food options you should definitely try in Kirkcaldy. First up is the mighty Bar-B-Q King, where you can opt for mind-boggling stacked burgers of various descriptions, simple but stunning chips and cheese, spicy pizzas with or without meat, snazzy hot dogs and milk shakes made with your choice of chocolate bar. Alternatively, if old school Scottish fish and chips sounds tempting, look no further than Valente’s which has been serving the populace some of the nation’s tastiest fried haddock and gorgeous golden chips since the 1920s!

Transport in Kirkcaldy

Airports

The nearest airport to Kirkcaldy is Edinburgh (EDI), which is around 45 minutes’ drive away, depending on traffic. Edinburgh is Scotland’s biggest and busiest commercial airport and connects to a wide range of domestic and international locations. If you’re flying into this Scottish air hub, it’s also a wonderful place to pick up your choice of hire car and hit the road – there are lots of great deals to choose from if you book ahead.

Public transport

Public transport within Kirkcaldy is covered by the fairly efficient local bus network – its main operator is Stagecoach and there are services across the town and onwards to every major town and city in Scotland. There’s also a rail station which connects to lots of different stops on the Fife Circle, as well as larger cities elsewhere in Scotland.

Driving

In terms of population, Kirkcaldy is a small town by British standards, but it’s very spread out geographically, which makes travelling by car the most convenient option. You’ll find a few roundabouts here that take a little getting used to, but for the most part the driving is simple and straightforward. Dunfermline is just along the motorway and because Kirkcaldy is in Scotland’s Central Belt (where most of the population resides), major cities like Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee are easy to reach via high quality roads. If you’re visiting from outwith the UK, please remember to drive on the left side of the road and observe the speed limits of 70mph on motorways, 60 mph on open roads and either 30mph or 20mph in the town centre (check the signage).

Top Tips when hiring a car in Kirkcaldy

• When exploring Kirkcaldy, consider various car rental companies for the best car hire deals.

• Look for free cancellation options offered by car hire companies in Kirkcaldy for added flexibility. If a car rental company already offers free cancellation on their car rental deals then next you should look at the types of economy cars available.

• Enterprise Rent-A-Car often presents competitive hire cars and hire deals in Kirkcaldy for car rentals.

• Compare prices and availability at different Kirkcaldy car rental locations before booking. Different places offer different rental cars.

• Seek out the cheapest car hire companies, especially focusing on economy or compact cars. There is not a single cheapest car hire company. It highly depends on what you're looking for besides cheap car hire.

• Ensure you possess a valid driver's license before finalizing any car hire agreement.

• Thoroughly review the rental agreement to understand all terms and conditions.

• Cheap car rental options without compromising quality can be found in Kirkcaldy.

• Locate car parks or designated parking areas in Kirkcaldy for the safety of your rental car.

• Consider specific models like the Kirkcaldy economy Chevrolet Spark for budget-friendly choices.