Kingskettle

Kingskettle or often simply Kettle is a village and parish in Fife, Scotland. Encompassed by the Howe of Fife, the village is approximately 5.5 miles (9 km) southwest of the nearest town, Cupar, and 22 miles (35 km) north of Edinburgh. According to the 2011 Census for Scotland, the Kettle parish had a population of 1,645, of which 1,002 lived in the village.[2]

Kingskettle
  • Kettle
Village and Parish
Kettle Parish Church, the main feature of Kingskettle
Kingskettle is located in Fife
Kingskettle
Kingskettle
Location within Fife
Population1,020 (mid-2020 est.)[1]
OS grid referenceNO309083
Civil parish
  • Kettle
Council area
Lieutenancy area
CountryScotland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townCUPAR
Postcode districtKY15
PoliceScotland
FireScottish
AmbulanceScottish
UK Parliament
Scottish Parliament

As with many villages along the River Eden, the primary source of employment and industry in the village was the manufacture of linen.[3] In the wider parish, there is an abundance of fertile farmland that has been taken advantage of for millennia. According to Understanding Scottish Places, Kingskettle is now primarily home to commuters.[4]

The definite origin of the name of Kettle is unknown[5] but dates back to at least the 12th century. It is widely thought that it originates from the word 'battle,' however it would have to be the Pictish form of the word. Alternatively, it is thought the name could stem from the indigenous wildcat. The prefix 'kings' is an obvious association with the crown, with land in the village in the hands of the earls of Fife and other nobility throughout various points in time.[6]

The parish includes the settlements of Kettlebridge, Balmalcolm, Kettlehill, Burnturk, Muirhead, and several farms.[3]

Governance

Both the parish and the village are in the North East Fife UK Parliament and North East Fife Scottish Parliament constituencies, and the Howe of Fife and Tay Coast ward of Fife Council. Local issues are managed by Kettle Community Council.[7]

Economy

Vegetable processing company Kettle Produce have sites in the parish at Balmalcolm and near Freuchie at Orkie farm. They employ over 1,100 staff between these two sites, many from the local area, and process 1,000s of hectares of crops each year.[8]

Culture

The village was the home to children's musical group The Singing Kettle and the shop of the same name. In 2015 the shop was closed as the last group show was performed.

Education

Kettle Primary School, built in 1875, provides primary education for the parish. There are five classrooms and a nursery to the rear of the school. Secondary education is provided at the nearby Bell Baxter High School in Cupar.[9]

Sport

Kingskettle is home to Kingskettle United FC who play in the Kingdom of Fife AFA, the team's home colours are orange and black with light blue and white away kit.

Transport

The A914 runs to the south of the village, providing access to Stagecoach bus services direct to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and St Andrews which run nearby from Kettlebridge.[10] In addition local services travel to Newburgh and Glenrothes.[11]

Busses to Bell Baxter High School for secondary school pupils are provided by Moffat & Williamson, both ways, from several points in the parish and village.[12]

Kingskettle railway station, opened in 1847, provided valuable passenger and goods links via the North British Railway, but was closed in 1967.

Religious Sites
A low shot of Kettle Parish church from the south
Kettle Parish Church

Kettle Parish Church

The Church of Scotland parish church at Kettle was designed by George Angus and built in 1832[13] opposite the graveyard and site of an older church. The church is constructed from snecked sandstone in a Tudor style with a Scottish slate roof. A church hall is located at the southwest of the main building.[14]

The oldest known church in the parish was originally at Lathrisk, near Newton of Falkland and was moved to Kettle opposite the current site in 1636.[15] It was demolished in the 1870s after the new building was completed.[16]

Kettle Parish Church is part of the Howe of Fife Parish Church congregation alongside the churches of Ladybank, Collessie and Cults. Led by Rev. Bill Hunter, Kettle is the main place of worship for the congregation.[17]

References
  1. "Mid-2020 Population Estimates for Settlements and Localities in Scotland". National Records of Scotland. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  2. "Census Table Data | Scotland's Census". Scotland's Census. National Records of Scotland. Civil Parish 1930, Locality 2010 - tables KS101SC (usual resident population)
  3. Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland 1901. T.C. & E.C. Jack. 1901. p. 914.
  4. "Kingskettle | Understanding Scottish Places". Understanding Scottish Places. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  5. Gazetteer of Scotland. Glasgow: Blackie & Son. 1838. p. 619.
  6. "Fife Place-name data :: Kingskettle". Fife place-name database from the University of Glasgow.
  7. "Kettle | Fife Council". Fife Council. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  8. "About us | We're Passionate About Our Food | Kettle Produce". Kettle Produce. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  9. "Kettle Primary School | Fife Council". Fife Council. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  10. "Kettlebridge". bustimes.org. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  11. "Kingskettle". bustimes.org. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  12. "Service BB7 Green Timetable - Moffat & Williamson". Moffat & Williamson. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  13. "Dictionary of Scottish Architects - DSA Building/Design Report". Dictionary of Scottish Architects. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  14. "Kettle Parish Church - Kettle, Fife - Places of Worship in Scotland | SCHR". Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  15. "Kettle Old Church Site - Kettle, Fife - Places of Worship in Scotland | SCHR". Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  16. "Kettle". Howe of Fife Parish Church. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  17. "Howe of Fife Parish Church". Retrieved 4 January 2022.
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