Auchtermuchty facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Auchtermuchty
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 Auchtermuchty Town House |
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 Auchtermuchty
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| Population | 2,070 (2020) |
| OS grid reference | NO235115 |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | CUPAR |
| Postcode district | KY14 |
| Dialling code | 01337 |
| Police | Fife |
| Fire | Fife |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament |
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| Scottish Parliament | |
Auchtermuchty (/ˌɒxtərˈmʌxti/ ; Scottish Gaelic: Uachdar Mucadaidh, 'upland of the pigs/boar') is a town in Fife, Scotland. It is beside Pitlour Hill and 9 miles (14 km) north of Glenrothes.
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History
Until 1975 Auchtermuchty was a royal burgh, established under charter of King James V in 1517. There is evidence of human habitation in the area dating back over 2,000 years, and the Romans are known to have established a camp in the southeast corner of the town. In the past, the linen industry was a major source of work in the town, but in the early 18th century the firm of John White was established, bringing the town its first foundry (there were two eventually). The town also had a distillery - Stratheden Whisky Distillery, set in the town centre - from 1829 to 1926, but it had to close when Prohibition in the United States drastically reduced the demand for its products.
As in many parts of Fife, there is much evidence of the impact of both World Wars on the village. To the north east of the town, a concrete observation platform was built on what is thought to be a long used site of strategical and defensive importance, as it overlooks the entire village and the remains of earlier walls and structures are evident. During the Second World War the flat farmland of the glacial valley in which Auchtermuchty sits made a prime target for glider landings in the event of an invasion.
Buildings
The old part of the town is based around a hill. The twisting streets here have a wealth of buildings dating from the 17th and 18th century, centred on Auchtermuchty Town House (now used as the town library).
The church (on the east side of the hill) is a simple Georgian box chapel, but with an interesting double bell within its western bellcote. Gravestones date back to the 17th century. A more modern cemetery dating from around 1910 lies to the south-east of the town, partly concealed by industrial units. Maps from the mid-19th century show no less than five churches in use at one time.
The war memorial, designed by the architect Reginald Fairlie, portrays a Scottish soldier with head bowed.
Amenities
Auchtermuchty Golf Club (now defunct) was founded in 1902. The club ceased to exist following the Second World War.
Notable people
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- Sir John Arnott, MP and founder of Arnotts department stores in Dublin
- James Ferrier, 4th Mayor of Montréal, Canada
- John Glas, founder of the Glasite religious sect
- Marian Leven, artist
- Captain George Moodie, first captain of the clipper ship Cutty Sark, lived his final years in Auchtermuchty
- Charlie and Craig Reid, musicians and founders of folk/rock group The Proclaimers
- Sir Jimmy Shand, folk musician
- Dr John Shoolbred FRSE, naval surgeon
- James Campbell Walker, architect
See also
