Links Market in Kirkcaldy to return in April following two-year absence

A 180ft fairground attraction leads the growing list of rides confirmed for this year’s Kirkcaldy Links Market.

Europe’s longest street fair will return to Kirkcaldy Esplanade from April 13 to 18 following a two-year absence due to the pandemic.

Organisers hope the fact the market falls during the second week of the Easter school holidays will make 2022 a bumper year for all concerned.

The market will feature a number of rides, stalls and amusements to keep visitors of all ages happy, but one in particular will literally tower above all the rest.

At around 55 metres in height, Danter Attractions’ ‘City’ Star Flyer is similar to other chair o plane rides that have been around for decades except with one difference – altitude.

The ‘City’ Star Flyer has been confirmed for the Links Market for the first time, and follows a successful stint in Birmingham city centre over the festive season.

Also rolling into the Lang Toun will be S&D Leisure’s ‘Atmos Fear’ Loop Fighter, L&B Funfairs’ ‘Roller Ghoster’, White’s ‘Move It’ Tagada, Codona’s’ ‘Starchaser’ Waltzer, Taylor’s Fairground Attraction Waltzer, Johnstone’s ‘Absolute Power’ Miami and Johnstone’s ‘Midnight Express’ Matterhorn.

Fife Council is working with the Showmen’s Guild on putting the finishing touches to plans for the event, and details of road closures and other restrictions will be published in due course.

Alex James Colquhoun, chair of the Guild’s Scottish section, said: “The Links Market is the most popular fair by far, it’s the flagship, and the fact it’s not been on for two years has been a real hardship.

“But we’re cracking on this year and there’s no reason why it can’t go ahead.

“With it being during the Easter holidays as well, we think this will be a particularly good year.”

Meanwhile, plans for a piece of public art to be placed on the Esplanade to mark Kirkcaldy’s long-lasting relationship with the Links Market have been withdrawn – but only temporarily.

Kirkcaldy West Community Council submitted a planning application to install public art in the shape of a carousel horse between the Esplanade and Basin Car Park, but the weekly list of applications published by Fife Council revealed this week that the application has been withdrawn.

However, Stewart Ness, chair of Kirkcaldy West Community Council, confirmed the application had to be pulled due to a minor error in relation to the proposed location for the carousel horse.

A fresh application with the correct details has already been submitted.

The finished article is expected to be just over two metres tall and 2.7m long, with the galvanised steel carousel horse – which will be powder coated black – sitting on a circular plinth.

Mr Ness commented: “The council Basin Car Park can look a bit drab at times. We thought a nice piece of public art might brighten it up.”