Local records and maps

EXCERPT FROM THE 1861 PAROCHIAL DIRECTORY FOR FIFE AND KINROSS

 

PARISH OF SCOONIE.

This Parish, containing the Baron Burgh of Leven, is on the south coast of the County. It is bounded by the Firth of Forth on the south, by Wemyss, Markinch, Kennoway, and Kettle on the west, by Kennoway and Ceres on the north, and by Largo on the east. Its length from south to north is nearly five miles, and its greatest breadth about two and a half miles. The coast which lies along the western side of Largo Bay, has an extent of less than one and a half mile, and is everywhere flat and sandy. The surface, inland, rises with a gentle ascent from the shore to the northern extremity. The highest ground has an elevation of above 600 feet and there are several heights and swells which command an extensive and brilliant view of the Firth of Forth and the Lothians. Beds of coal of varied thicknesses lie beneath the whole parish, and were worked at Scoonie Bridge up to a recent period; and a Colliery at Kilmux, on the northern border, is in active operation. A fine bed of Ochre, five feet thick, occurs on the estates of Durie and Aithernie, and there are mills for grinding it at Leven. The total area is estimated at about 4000 acres, all of which are cultivated, except about 500, which are partly in wood, and partly in pasture and uncultivated links. A battle is supposed to have been fought in ancient times between the Danes and the Scots on the west border; about twenty stone coffins, together with other sepulchral remains, being exhumed in 1821, on the top of a conical hill. The mansion houses are Durie, Kilmux, and Montrave.

The Parish is traversed by the road from Largo to Windygates, by the road from Kirkcaldy by Kennoway, to Cupar, and by the Leven and East of Fife Railway, which has a station on the north side of the town of Leven.

The town of Leven, which is a sea-port, stands at the mouth of the Leven, on the west side of Largo Bay, two miles south-east of Kennoway, two and a half miles south-west of Lower Largo, and nine miles north-east of Kirkcaldy. It is a Burgh of Barony, under Mr Christie, of Durie. It lies on the shore, on the east side of the Leven, and is connected with Dubbieside, or Innerleven, by a fine stone bridge. The town consists chiefly of three streets running nearly parallel to each other, east and west, and a number of bye-lanes. There is a police commission in the Burgh, under the Act William IV., Chap. 36. A number of handsome houses and cottages have been erected along the links, at the south-east part of the town, within a recent period. Like most towns on the south coast of the County, it is a favourite resort for visitors during the summer season, for sea-bathing; and a number of the inhabitants let their houses furnished, to parties requiring accommodation for that purpose. A number of the inhabitants are engaged in hand-loom weaving, but the greater part are employed at public works, situated in the parish, and its immediate neighbourhood. At Kirkland and Leven mills, on the Wemyss side of the river, are extensive works for the preparing and spinning of flax, and a saw and planing mill, a flour mill, a bone mill, and a lintseed oil mill ; and in the town are two flax spinning mills, a herring net factory, an iron foundry, and a brick-work. There is also a flax retting work at Silverburn, on the west border of the parish.

The harbour is a natural one, formed by a creek at the mouth of the river, and at spring tides it admits vessels of 300 tons burden, but it is not easy of access. There is a small quay but the accommodation has long been considered insufficient for the requirements of the trade. Several vessels belong to the port, and from two to three hundred enter during the year. The principal imports are flax, timber, ashes, pig-iron, bones, and malt; and the chief exports, linen cloth, whisky, bone-dust, cast-iron, and potatoes. Sheriff small debt courts are held on the second Friday of March, on the first Friday of June, and on the last Friday of August and November.

The Parish Church, at the east end of the town, is a very humble structure, without the slightest pretence to ornament of any kind; but, internally, is well-finished, commodious, and comfortable. It contains 1000 sittings. There are also a Free Church congregation for whom a fine new Church was erected in 1861, and a U. P. Church. There was formerly an Independent Chapel, but it has been shut up for some time. Besides the Parish School, there are a Free Church School and a number of Independent Schools, several of which are taught by females.

The POST OFFICE for the Parish, a few places on the north border excepted, is Leven, Mrs Matthew, Post Mistress. Letters from the west and north arrive about 8.30 A.M. and 5 P.M., and are despatched at 7 A.M. and 3.20 P. M.. Letters from the east arrive, per East of Fife Railway, at 7.20 A.M. and 3.45 P.M. and are despatched at 8 A.M. and 4.30 P.M. A Mail with Edinburgh and English Letters only, arrives about 12 noon, but there is no delivery at that hour.

 

BAKERS.

Bread Society, 62 High Street (James Peattie, Manager)

Gillespie, Mrs Joseph, 12 North Street

Patrick, Peter, 32 South Street

Robertson, Andrew, 4 Forth Street

Thomson, Andrew, 30 High Street

Wilson, Andrew, 47 High Street

BANKS.

CITY OF GLASGOW BANK, Durie Street. John Smith, Agent

COMMERCIAL BANK OF SCOTLAND, 19 Durie Street. D. & D. Nicoll, Agents

ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND, 1 Bank Street. Andrew Wilkie, Agent

BLACKSMITHS.

Brown, Robert, 13 Viewforth Place, East

Duncan, Alexander, Coldstream

Ednie, Wm., Smiddygreen, by Kennoway

Ottman, James, North Street

BOOKSELLERS & STATIONERS.

Patrick, John, (& Circulating Library) 71 High Street

Porter, Thomas, (& Circulating Library, & Printer) 36 High Street

BOOT & SHOEMAKERS.

Bones, William, 3 Viewforth Place, East

Burns, John, 26 South Street

Edwards, John, 56 High Street

Jameson, Alexander, 62½ High Street

McAndrew, George, 43 High Street

Malcolm, David, High Street

Niven, James, 44 High Street

Reekie, Richard, 1 Forth Street

Ritchie, Mrs David, 63 High Street

Ritchie, John, 72 High Street

Swinton, John, 12 High Street

Walker, James, 27 High Street

Wilkie, John, 18 High Street

CABINET-MAKERS.

Adam, John, 23 High Street

Patrick, John, (& Golf Club Maker) 3 Branch Street

CARRIERS.

King, Andrew, from Crail, by Leven, to, Edinburgh, on Monday and Thursday

Leven & East of Fife Railway Co., Station at Leven, James Fyall, Agent

Lindsay, David, from Largo, by Leven, to Kirkcaldy, on Tuesday and Friday

Scott, Robert, from Largo, by Leven, to Kirkcaldy, on Tuesday and Friday

Wilson, Peter, Bridge Street, to Kirkcaldy, on Saturday

By Packet, to Leith, on Tuesday, Alex. Thomson, 8 Union Place, Master and Owner

CARTERS & LAND LABOURERS.

Adamson, William, 1 Greig's Row

Baird, Alexander, 72 North Street

Bowsie, William, Kirkinch

Campbell, Alexander, Leven Vale

Croall, James, 48 North Street

Dingwall, Andrew, 9 Mitchell Street

Gibb, David, 9 Mitchell Street

McConkey, John, 4 South Street

McHool, James, 73 North Street

Sime, John, Letham Feus, by Kennoway

Smith, Andrew, 2 Scoonie Place

Wilson, Alexander, Sen., 34 High Street

Wilson, Alexander, Jun., Parkhill Wynd

CHINA, STONEWARE, & RAG MERCHANTS.

Coyle, Robert, 65 High Street

Fullerton, William, 81 North Street

Gordon, Thomas, 43 North Street

McColgin, Mrs Charles, 66 High Street

Niven, James, 42 High Street

CLERGY.

Blackwood, James, A.M., Parish Church, Scoonie Manse

Forman, Adam, A.M., Free Church, Manse

Hyslop, John S., U. P. Church, Manse

CLOCK & WATCHMAKERS.

Wighton, David, 14 High Street

Wilkie, Robert, 49 High Street

DRAPERS.

Bain, David, 53 High Street

Baird, George, 61 High Street

Bonthron, Peter, 31 High Street

Lochtie, George, 37 High Street

Marshall, David, 73 High Street

Smith, Robert, 8 Shore Head

Wallace, Michael T., 1 Shore Head

DRESSMAKERS & MILLINERS.

Ballingall, Miss Catherine, 2 Scoonie Place l

Brown, Miss Elizabeth, Pleasance

Carr, Miss Janet, 12 Durie Street

Davidson, Miss Christina, 74 North Street

Dick, Miss Rachel, Bayview Terrace

Henderson, Miss Janet, 5 Bridge Street

McColl, Miss, 2 High Street

McKinlay, Miss Elizabeth, 75 North Street

Murray, Misses A., & E., 5 Viewforth Place, East

Patrick, Misses A., & C., (St Straw Bonnets) 3 Bridge Street

Peattie, Miss Helen, 61 North Street

Thomson, Misses A., & M., 2 Seagate [

Thomson, Mrs Andrew, 17 High Street

Thomson, Mrs John, Shore Cottage

Wilkie, Misses M., & M., 16 High Street

Wilson, Misses, 11 Durie Street

DYERS' AGENTS.

Anderson, Mrs David, 5 Mitchell Street, for P. & P. Campbell, Perth

Niven, James, 42 High Street, for Pullar & Sons, Perth

FARMERS.

Adamson, Lawrence, Bankhead

Balfour, John, Leven Mills

Christie, Charles M., Esq., Home Farm, Durie

Elder, David, Scoonie

Forgan, James, Kilmux, by Kennoway

Greig, Andrew, 13 South Street

Meldrum, Jas., Wester Durie, by Kennoway

Nairn, David, Burnmill

Nairn, James, Haugh House Farm

Skinner, John, Myreside, by Kennoway

Swan, John, Letham, by do

Wallace, David, Balgrummo

Wallace, John, Banbeath

Wilson, Alexander, Jun., 9 Parkhill

Wynd Wilson, Peter, 7 Bridge Street

FLESHERS.

Anderson, Thomas, 54 High Street

Kerr, Robert, South Street

Ross, Charles, 4 High Street

FURNISHED LODGINGS. [Proprietors of, for Summer Visitors.)

Allan, Andrew, Allan Cottage

Black, Robert, Bayview Terrace

Brown, Mrs Thomas, 12 Bridge Street

Brown, Robert, 13 Viewforth Place, East

Clark, Mrs, Viewforth Cottage

Dick, Mrs John, Bayview Terrace

Elder, Matthew, Burnside Cottage

Gordon, Mrs Alexander, 2 Gordon's Lane

Horne, Misses, Sweetbank, Links

Hutton, Mrs Andrew, 2 Oswald Place

Keddie, Captain James, Links

Mack, James, 4 Trinity Place

Malcolm, David, 8 Mitchell Street

Matthew, Mrs D., 11 Viewforth Place, East,

Morrison, Mrs William, 11 Bridge Street

Mortimer, Mrs William, Rose Cottage

Nicholson, Robert, Wave Cottage

Orford, Mrs David, Orford Cottage

Pearson, Mrs J., 3 Trinity Place

Thomson, Mrs Thomas, Bayview Cottage

Wilkie, David, Bayview Terrace

Wilkie, George, do

Younger, Mrs Thomas, 1 Trinity Place

GARDENERS.

Horne, John, (Market) 18 South Street

McConnochie, A., Montrave, by Kennoway

Martin, Alexander, Durie House

Miller, John, Kilmux, by Kennoway

Mortimer, David, (Jobbing) Murray Place

Mortimer, William, (Jobbing )Rose Cottage

GENTRY & PEOPLE OF INDEPENDENT MEANS.

Adamson, Miss Eliza, Bellview Cottage

Balfour, Mrs Henry, Leven Bank

Beale, Misses, 1 Parliament Place

Bird, Mrs, 6 Commercial Road

Black, Captain William, Links

Blyth, Captain John, Seabank Villa, Links

Boswall, The Misses Agnes, & Elizabeth, Haugh Bank House

Burrell, Mrs Janet, 18 Durie Street

Campbell, Douglas, Esq., Maple Lodge, Links

Carmichael, Miss Ann, Viewforth Place, East

Christie, Charles M., Esq., Durie House

Cornfoot, Dr. James, Aithernie Cottage

Creeke, Mrs, 2 Durie Street

Cutler, Mrs Thomas, Links

Dick, W. D., Esq., Montrave, by Kennoway

Haggart, Henry, Esq., Sweetbank Cottages, Links

Johnston, Mrs Margaret, 7 Mitchell Street

Macfie, David Johnston, Esq., Kilmux, by Kennoway

Morrison, Mrs Janet, 11 Bridge Street

Napier, Mrs Margaret, Shore Head

Sime, The Misses, Sweetbank Cottages, Links

Swan, Miss Grace, Cowan Cottage

Wallace, The Misses, Parkhill House

Wood, Mrs Joan, The Cottage, Links

Younger, Mrs Thomas, 1 Trinity Place

GROCERS.

Those marked thus*are also Spirit Dealers.

*Aitken, James, 29 High Street

Ballingall, David, 8 Bridge Street

* Black, Robert, 24 High Street

* Blair, James, 33 North Street

Colquhon, John, 1 High Street

Cormie, Miss Isobel, 64 High Street

* Davidson, John, 69 High Street

* Henderson, John, 10 Shore Head

*Henderson, William, 46 High Street

Horne, Alexander, 23 South Street

*Hunter, John, 75 High Street

*Hutton, Elizabeth, 6 High Street

Kellock, William, 50 High Street

*Mack, James, 35 High Street

Meikle, John, 3 High Street

*Nicol, James, 8 North Street

* Ramsay, John, 76 North Street

Spence, Jean, 1 North Street

White, Andrew, 40 High Street

Work, John, 2 Forth Street

HAIRDRESSERS.

Greig, John, 17 North Street

Paterson, George, 16 South Street

Westwater, James, 12 South Street

INNKEEPERS, See also Vintners.

Crawford, George, Commercial Hotel, (& Posting) 77 High Street

Marshall, Alex., Star Inn, 5 North Street

INSURANCE AGENTS.

Bonthron, Peter, Draper, Scottish Equitable

Nicoll, David, Banker, North British

Porter, Thos. ,Bookseller, Scottish National

Smith, John, Banker, Norfolk Farmers'

Cattle, Scottish Provident, life, and Scottish Union, fire

Smythe, Andrew, Teacher, Royal, fire and life

Wilkie, Andrew, Banker, Scottish Union, fire, Standard, life, and Accidental Death

IRONMONGERS.

Aitken, James, 29 High Street

Henderson, John, 10 Shore Head

Meikle, John, 3 High Street

JOINERS & WRIGHTS, See also Cabinet-Makers.

Ballingall, Thomas F., 3 Bridge Street

Charles, David, Mitchell Street

Dowie, Wm., Letham Fens, by Kennoway

Suttie, William, 8 Henderson Street

Trail, James, 8 South Street

MANUFACTURERS.

Aitken, James & sons, (Sacking & Linen), 3 Mitchell Street

Boswall, A. & Co. (Herring Nets), Hawkslaw Works

MEDICAL PRACTICIONERS

Kennedy, Neil, A., 1Branch Street

Low, Robert, S., Priory

MILLERS

Balfour, John & Co., (Flour), Levenmills

Carmichael, Thomas, (Corn & Flour), Shotburn Mill

Nairn, David, (Corn & Barley), Burnmill

OCHRE MANUFACTURERS.

Anderson, John, Pavilion

Whyte, Alexander, Seafield Cottage, Links

PAINTERS & PAPER-HANGERS.

Diston, Adam, 58 High Street

Sharp, John, 48 High Street

PHOTOGRAPHERS & CALOTYPISTS.

Diston, Adam, 58 High Street

Patrick, John, 71 High Street

PILOTS.

Funk, Christopher, Union Place

Henderson, Thomas, Shore Head

Nicholson, Robert, Wave Cottage

PUBLIC HALLS.

Gardeners' Hall, Commercial Road, MathewElder, Sec.

Mason Lodge, Durie Street, John Patrick, Sen., Sec.

SHIPMASTERS.

Bell, John, 8 Henderson Street

Cormie, , 4 Scoonie Place

Cummings, Alexander, 4 Durie Street

Dick, Thomas, Sweetbank, Links

Keddie, James, Links

Murray, David, 10 Yiewforth Place, East

SOCIETIES & CLUBS.

Elgin Lodge of Freemasons, No. 91, Andrew Wilkie, Esq., R. W. M., John Patrick, Sen., Sec. [

Innerleven Golf Club, John Davidson, Sec.

Leven Curling Club, Robert Smith, Sec.

Leven Golf Club, John Patrick, Sen., Sec.

Leven Mutual Improvement Society, James H. Terry, Sec.

Leven Yearly Society, J. Williamson, Sec.,

Leven Young Men's Christian Association, John Hardie, Sec.

TAILORS.

Those marked thus" are also Clothiers.

Baynes, John, 3 North Street

*Beveridge, James, 143 High Street

Blackie, Alexander, 44 High Street

Brown, Thomas, 14 Forth Street

*Bruce, Robert, 1 Oswald Place

Gilchrist, Thomas, 3 Bank Street

*Graham, Peter, 2 Branch Street

Martin, John, Smiddygreen by Kennoway

Thomson, David, 75 North Street

Wilson, Robert, 1 Forth Street

TEACHERS it SCHOOLS.

Brown, Robert, Adventure School, 14 Triangle Place

Grant, Miss Eliza, (French & Pianoforte) Graham's Cottage

Johnston, Miss H. B., 7 Mitchell Street

Malcolm, Miss I. B., 8 Mitchell Street

Martin, Miss, Smiddygreen, by Kennoway

Pearson, Miss Margaret, Female Industrial School, 3 Trinity Place

Smythe, Andrew, Parish School, School House

Stalker, Daniel, Free Church School, 8 Viewforth Place, West

Taylor Miss Tabitha, 28 South Street

Thomson, Miss Isabella, Union Street

Young, Miss Helen, Female Industrial School, Parkhill Wynd

TINSMITHS, PLUMBERS, AND GASFITTERS.

Henderson, Thomas, 5 Bridge Street

Melville, Samuel, (& Copper) 7 Shore Head

Walker, Andrew, 25 High Street

Williamson, Alexander, 1 South Street

VINTNERS, See also Innkeepers.

Bell, William, 6 Parliament Place

Blair, James, 35 North Street

Edwards, John, 52 High Street

Martin, David, (Crown Tavern) 25 South Street

Nicol, James, 10 North Street

Oliphant, Mrs Isabella, 13 North Street

Smart, David, Bleach-field

Swayne, Mrs Margaret, 70 High Street

WRITERS.

Those marked thus * are also Notaries.

* Marshall, William, (& Inspector of Poor, Sub-Distributor of Stamps, & Collector of Taxes ; Baron Bailie & Chief Magistrate) Rath Ellon House

* Nicoll, David, Jun., Durie Street

* Smith, John, (& Procurator, Sheriff- Clerk Depute at Leven, & Collector of Poors' Rates) Durie Street

Wilkie, Andrew, (Procurator, & Secretary & Solicitor for Leven & East of Fife Railway Co.,) 2 Bank Street

MISCELLANEOUS.

Arthur, James, Principal Coast Officer, Forth Street

Balfour, Henry, & Co., Engineers, Ironfounders, Hawkslaw & Durie Foundries

Balfour, John, & Co., Wood Merchants, Saw-Mills and Planing Machinery, Oil Millers, and Bone Manure Dealers,

Leven Mills

Black, James, Chemist & Druggist, 3 Shore Head

Blair, John ,Working .Jeweller, 2 High Street

Boswall, A., & Co., Flax Spinners, Shoe Twine, & Herring Net Manufacturers, Hawkslaw Works

Brown, James, & George, Brewers, Brewery Wynd

Cameron, A., Confectioner, 20 High Street

Christie, Alex. Sheriff Officer, 3 Durie Street

Clark, Mrs Mary, Salt Manufacturer, 22 Forth Street

Elder, Matthew, Rope & Twine Manufacturer, Burnside, Links

Henderson, Alexander, Harbour-Master 2 Union Street

Hutton, Andrew, Ship Carpenter, 2 Oswald Place

Keddie, Peter, Saddler, 23 Durie Street,

Leven Farina Co., John McNaughton, Managing Partner, River Bank

Louden, John, Manager of Gas Works, Union Street

McGregor, Duncan, Sheep Dealer, Letham Mill, by Kennoway

Malcolm, David, Session-Clerk, Clerk to the Commissioners of Police, and Sec. to the Popular Lectures Committee, 8 Mitchell Street[

Orchison, James, Letter Carrier, 10 South Street

Rodger, William, Sexton, Braehead

Russell, David, Flax Retter, Silverburn Works, by Leven

Smythe, Andrew, Registrar of Births, Marriages, & Deaths, School-House

Suttie, Thomas, Slater & Plasterer, 9 River Side Place

Thomson, Mrs Andrew, Toy Merchant, 17 High Street

White, Alexander, Leven Brick, Tile, & Ochre Works, Seafield Cottage

Wilkie, Jas., Leather Merchant, Pleasance

Wilkie & Smart, Builders, Bayview Terrace

Wylie, James, Pawnbroker, 6 Forth Street

 

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