Libraries & archives

33-35 Crossgate, Cupar, KY15 5AS
Tel 01334 659367
cupar.library@onfife.com

Cupar Library, the local public library is based in the Duncan Institute, a distinctive Victorian building gifted to the town by Miss Duncan of Edengrove and opened in 1870. In addition to the wide range of resources and activities that a modern library service offers, within the Duncan Room it holds the local and family history collection for North East Fife. The collection includes books, photographs, newspapers, maps, valuation rolls and microfilm copies of newspapers and census reports for local parishes.

Copying services are available.

The days of opening are from Tuesday to Saturday.

Collections Centre, Bankhead Central, Bankhead Park, Glenrothes, KY7 6GH

Fife Cultural Trust, operating as OnFife is responsible for the custody and care of unique and irreplaceable documents that date back over 500 years of Fife history. The Archives Search Room is open to visitors by appointment on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 9.00am to 1.00pm and 2.00pm to 5.00 pm. The records available for consultation include those of the former Burgh of Cupar.

Bookings by email should be sent to archive.enquiries@onfife.com

University of St Andrews Library, North Street, St Andrews, KY16 9TR
Tel. 01334 462331 
unicols@st-andrews.ac.uk 

The University of St Andrews Library has accumulated printed books, manuscripts, documents and photographs of value to students and researchers, some of which are associated with the foundation of the University over 600 years ago. Material related to Cupar and the surrounding area include early records of the Burgh of Cupar and many interesting photographs. Researchers should always make contact to arrange an appointment before visiting.

Visitors need to book a space in the reading room to study material in the collection and have an awareness of the need to handle any documents or photographs with care.

The location of the Reading Room is in the Martyrs Kirk, Thomson Reading Room on North Street, St Andrews.

Our National Library operates from three main sites in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

www.nls.uk

In Edinburgh, at George 1V Bridge, the National Library is a reference library with extensive collections and is recognised as one of the major research libraries in Europe. It has the benefit of legal deposit of all printed material published in the United Kingdom.

The opening hours are from 10.00am to 7.00pm, Monday to Thursday and 10.00am to 5.00pm Friday and Saturday. Telephone 0131 623 3700

The Map Library Reading Room at Causewayside, 33 Salisbury Place, Edinburgh, EH9 1SL provides the opportunity to consult original maps by appointment. The opening hours are Monday to Thursday from 10.00am to 5.00pm. Telephone 0131 623 4660.

Much of the collection has been digitised and may be consulted online through the website, maps.nls.uk. Included are town plans, county maps and Ordnance Survey maps historical and specialist maps.

The National Library of Scotland at Kelvin Hall in Glasgow has an extensive moving image and sound archive. Opening times are 10.00am to 5.00pm Tuesday, Thursday, Friday Saturday and 1.30pm to 8.00pm Wednesday.

The address is Kelvin Hall, 1445 Argyle Street, Glasgow, G3 8AW

Tel 0141 880 2329

It is possible to access the digital collections, consult written archives and watch films in viewing rooms.

 www.slhf.org

This is the umbrella organisation for all individuals and organisations interested in local history. It publishes a journal three times a year, a regular newsletter which keeps those involved in touch with Scottish activities. An annual conference normally takes place in the autumn, focussing on a specific topic of interest to members. The web site carries news of events throughout Scotland, including exhibitions, talks and outdoor events.

The web site hosts a directory of organisations, local societies, libraries and museums with current contact details.

www.nts.org.uk

This is Scotland’s largest member organisation established since 1931 to protect, care for and provide access to properties and outdoors.

The NTS champions natural, built and cultural heritage, including the Fife locations noted below.

• Hill of Tarvit Mansion
• Falkland Palace
• Kellie Castle
• Culross

Archives and Collections, Search Room, John Sinclair House, 16 Bernard Terrace, Edinburgh, EH8 9NX Tel.0131 668 8600 www.historicenvironment.scot

Access to images and archives in the care of Historic Environment Scotland is available online via www.trove.scot which also has information on listed buildings.

This is a relatively new service offered by Historic Environment Scotland which incorporates the records that were formerly held on Canmore and SCRAN. This on-line service allows searches to be made to find out about places in the National Record of the Historic Environment, explore records of listed buildings and scheduled monuments and search the archival collection about archaeology, architecture and their collection of objects.

The Cupar area is well represented in the collection of photographs and documents that have been digitised.

www.canmore.org.uk

A service of Historic Environment Scotland, this resource contains more than 320,000 records and 1.3 million catalogue entries for archaeology sites, buildings and industry across Scotland. 

www.scran.ac.uk

An online service of Historic Environment Scotland, providing educational access to digital images representing our history.

www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk

A free resource that lets you explore thousands of records by searching for a place name so that you can find maps, photographs and records about your chosen place.

The Community Council has a membership of 18 persons over the age of 16 years and registered to vote and live within the boundary area of the community council area. The Council has statutory status and represents the town of Cupar and the villages of Cuparmuir and Foodieash. Councillors are all volunteers who have an interest in the wellbeing of their community and serve for a period of up to four years. Contact may be made through the Council website cuparcommunitycouncil.org.uk 

Fife Family History Society are based in Cupar Library, Crossgate, Cupar, KY15 5AS. The Society was formed in 1989 and aims to bring people with an interest in researching their Fife Ancestors together. They are a volunteer organisation with a worldwide membership offering advice and publishing resources of interest. www.ffhs.org 

Founded in 1968, a museum that celebrates the social, domestic and working lives of the people of Fife. Housed in historic buildings in the heart of a conservation area, it has a coffee shop and issues Passport stamps to those travelling on the Pilgrim Way. The location is High Street, Ceres, Fife, KY15 5NF. Tel 01334 828180. Opening Hours are from Wednesday to Sunday between 10.30am to 4.00pm. The website for the museum is fifefolkmuseum.org.

Fife Historic Buildings Trust works with others to find new uses This organisation works with others to find new uses for buildings at risk throughout Fife. Formed in 1997 by Fife Council, it is a charity and company limited by guarantee. Cupar benefited from a five -year programme (2014-2019) that enabled the restoration of some of the finer town centre buildings including the iconic former Burgh Chambers which has been converted into a high-quality self-catering apartment. Fife Historic Buildings Trust are based at Kinghorn Town Hall, St Leonard’s Place, Kinghorn, KY3 9TJ. Tel 01592 890060.             

Their website is fifehistoricbuildings,org.uk

Cupar Development Trust was established in 2015 to promote and coordinate change for the benefit of Cupar and District, including the entire catchment area of Bell Baxter High School and its feeder primary schools. Their ambition is to provide a focus for local collaboration in community development, citizenship, the arts, heritage and culture. Contact may be made through their website www.cupardevtrust.org.uk

www.cuparnow.blog  

This began as a demonstration project funded by the Scottish Government, Digital Scotland and Fife Council as one of the Digital Towns Programme 2017-2018. With support from the business community, it became the UK’s first Digital Improvement District in December 2019. Utilising social media, it provides local businesses and organisations with the opportunity to engage wit residents, visitors and those further afield. It records and signposts the many community organisations in the area.

Cupar Arts was established to promote, develop and sustain the arts and arts activities in and around Cupar. It undertakes initiatives that showcase artists drawn from local, national and international origins with an emphasis on contemporary art and innovation. www.cupararts.org.uk

Cupar Art Club is a membership organisation for those who create art as a hobby and with participants at all levels of experience. The Club is based at Castlehill Community Centre where members can meet, create and plan activities. Occasional tutored workshops take place to help members enhance their skills. An Annual Exhibition of members work that is open to the public takes place at the Corn Exchange. Details about the club are on their website www.cuparartclub.org.uk.