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 is a town in Fife, Scotland. It is located next to Pitlour Hill and about 9 miles (14 km) north of Glenrothes. The town's name comes from a Scottish Gaelic phrase, Uachdar Mucadaidh, which means 'upland of the pigs or boar'.
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History of Auchtermuchty
Auchtermuchty had a special status called a royal burgh until 1975. This status was given to the town by King James V in 1517. This meant it had certain rights and privileges.
People have lived in this area for over 2,000 years. The Romans even set up a camp in the southeast part of the town a long time ago.
In the past, making linen cloth was a very important job in Auchtermuchty. Later, in the early 1700s, a company called John White started the town's first foundry, which is a place where metal is melted and shaped. There were eventually two foundries in the town.
Auchtermuchty also had a whisky distillery called Stratheden Whisky Distillery. It operated from 1829 to 1926. However, it had to close because of Prohibition in the United States, which greatly reduced the demand for its products. Prohibition was a time in the United States when making and selling alcohol was illegal.
Like many places in Fife, Auchtermuchty was affected by both World War I and World War II. During World War II, a concrete observation platform was built northeast of the town. This spot was likely chosen because it overlooks the whole village and was a good place for defense. The flat farmland around Auchtermuchty was also seen as a possible landing spot for gliders if an invasion happened.
Buildings in Auchtermuchty
The oldest part of Auchtermuchty is built around a hill. The winding streets there have many buildings from the 1600s and 1700s. The most important building is the Auchtermuchty Town House, which is now used as the town library.
The church, located on the east side of the hill, is a simple Georgian style building. It has an interesting double bell in its western bell tower. Some of the gravestones in the churchyard date back to the 1600s. A newer cemetery, from around 1910, is located southeast of the town. Old maps from the mid-1800s show that there were at least five churches in use in Auchtermuchty at one time.
The town's war memorial was designed by the architect Reginald Fairlie. It shows a Scottish soldier with his head bowed, remembering those who served.
Amenities
Auchtermuchty once had a golf club, which was started in 1902. However, the club closed down after World War II.
Notable people
Many interesting people have connections to Auchtermuchty:
- Sir John Arnott: A Member of Parliament (MP) and the person who started the Arnotts department stores in Dublin, Ireland.
- James Ferrier: He was the fourth Mayor of Montréal, a major city in Canada.
- John Glas: The founder of a religious group called the Glasite sect.
- Marian Leven: A well-known artist.
- Captain George Moodie: He was the first captain of the famous clipper ship called the Cutty Sark. He spent his last years living in Auchtermuchty.
- Charlie and Craig Reid: These brothers are musicians who started the popular folk/rock group The Proclaimers.
- Sir Jimmy Shand: A very famous Scottish folk musician.
- Dr John Shoolbred FRSE: A naval surgeon.
- James Campbell Walker: An architect.
See also
Images for kids
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Auchtermuchty war memorial by Reginald Fairlie
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The former hotel in Auchtermuchty, once a coaching inn
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The southern part of old Auchtermuchty
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Statue of Jimmy Shand in Auchtermuchty
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