Charlestown, Fife

It was established as a harbour town for the shipment of coal mined on Lord Elgin's Fife estates, and for the production of lime.

[3] They are regarded as one of the most important Industrial Revolution remains in Scotland and indeed the United Kingdom, being Scottish Category A Listed buildings.

Through the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the kilns were part of a major industrial complex of the time,[6] including coal mining, ironworking and salt extraction.

The adjacent harbour was as well built by the Earl and used for transporting the lime products, limestone and importantly coal.

Another distinctive feature of Charlestown is the early planned village, established again by Charles Bruce, the 5th Earl in 1756.

[11] The village was part of the Improving Movement in Scotland that led to the establishment of some 500 planned villages and small towns throughout the country between the mid 18th century to mid 19th century,[12] although McWilliam writing earlier in 1975 gives a lower figure for the same period of some 200 towns.

As well, various other buildings were erected by the Earl, for example Easter Cottage built 1760, a school in 1768 and the Sutlery, being a stable and granary, in 1770.

The houses are all Scottish B Grade Listed Buildings (excepting nos 36,37 and 52 to 55) within the Charlestown Conservation Area.

The original unity and appearance of the terraces is now somewhat compromised by alterations to doors and windows, high privet hedges and by many rear extensions, as identified in the Conservation Plan.