History of the Building

In 2006 JRD Trust was gifted the use of the former YMCA building situated on the Esplanade, Kirkcaldy. This building was commissioned by the YMCA in the early 1920s to 1930s and was originally intended as a “Girls Club”, where young women could receive instruction on handicrafts, first aid, sick nursing and other educational subjects.

Viewed from the esplanade

The prominent position of this building is not to be overlooked. Kirkcaldy Esplanade is one of Europe’s longest developed sea fronts and the 1920s to 1930s heralded a period of major restoration and urban growth. The expansion and completion of the Esplanade was planned to relieve the serious levels of unemployment experienced in the area at that time.

The tender for the YMCA building was won by a local architect and true “Lang Toun Son” —William Williamson. Born in Kirkcaldy in 1871, Williamson was educated provisionally at Kirkcaldy High School and then later graduated from Heriot Watt College.

Williamson was a prolific architect and was internationally renowned for his high quality renaissance and arts & crafts style and design. Williamson was instrumental in the design and restoration of many other famous Kirkcaldy landmarks including Raith Rovers Football Ground, Kirkcaldy Ice Rink, Kirkcaldy Town Hall and the Station Hotel and Ballroom.

JRD Trust are elated to have been given the opportunity to run their charitable organization from such a historically and regionally significant building. Through our holistic and compassionate ethos we aspire to rekindle and re-establish the strong community spirit and bond that this magnificent building once embodied.

This is a vast but exciting transition for JRD Trust and our small group of dedicated staff, trustees, placements and volunteers are working closely together to ensure that we can restore this building to its former glory.