Living Stories of Inverkeithing’s Lost Industries
Published 6th October 2022
In Scotland’s year of stories, it seems very appropriate that the Inverkeithing Heritage Regeneration project has captured some really exceptional and authentic stories and fascinating testimonies from local people, through the community Burgh Survey.
In the 20th century, two significant local employers in Inverkeithing were Wards Shipbreakers, and Caldwell’s Paper Mill. The Burgh Survey will ultimately be published as a book, recording the history of the town, and guiding future development by flagging up areas of particular historic significance.
However, the Community Burgh has sought to capture the history of this ancient town in a variety of ways, and to develop skills in local people, to enable more stories to be gathered in future, and to share the stories in different ways.
The fascinating testimonies about these two major employers, have been edited and compiled into engaging short films, and can be watched on the Fife Historic Buildings Trust You Tube Channel. Listen to a compilation of different voices focussing on Wards here (81) Memories of Ward’s Shipbreaking Yard, an Inverkeithing Heritage Regeneration project film – YouTube
About Inverkeithing Paper Mill here (81) Memories of Inverkeithing Papermill, an Inverkeithing Heritage Regeneration project film – YouTube
Or listen to longer individual interviews by browsing the videos tab. (81) Fife Historic Buildings Trust – YouTube
We are biased, but highly recommend listening!
Both Ward’s and Caldwell’s businesses were right on the shores of Inverkeithing Bay, the large natural harbour that contributed so much historically, to the town’s prosperity. The end-of-life ships dismantled at Wards were brought in by sea, likewise the esparto grass used for some of the papers manufactured at Caldwell’s was brought by ship from Spain.
Sea freight still operates from the harbour in the 21st century: metals are recycled at and shipped from the former Wards wharf, while imported Scandinavian timber is landed at the East Ness pier, as it has done for centuries.
To view all of the videos, they are available on our YouTube channel.
Fife Council’s Inverkeithing Heritage Regeneration project is generously co-funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic Environment Scotland. The Burgh Survey and other activities are delivered on behalf of Fife Council by Fife Historic Buildings Trust.
