Home Report Buckhaven

Buckhaven is a town of roughly 4000 residents on the east coast of Fife, Scotland, on the Firth of Forth between East Wemyss and Methil. Fishing and weaving were once important sectors in the town, until their decline in the 19th century. Coal mining arose as the next big sector, again until its own decline in the 20th century.

Buckhaven today essentially forms a larger conurbation and industrial complex with the towns of Methil, Methilhill and Leven. Traditional industries such as coal mining were replaced in the 20th century with an oil rig construction yard, Diageo and the Fife Energy Park. These industries support many jobs for residents; however, many also commute to nearby Glenrothes and Kirkcaldy. The A955/Methilhaven Road allows for easy travel by road to other nearby towns on the coast. The A915 trunk road is within easy reach and allows for onward connections to Kirkcaldy, Glenrothes, or in the other direction to St Andrews, or further still towards Dunfermline and Edinburgh. Bus routes serving the town are frequent but there is no railway line. The nearest stations are at Markinch and Kirkcaldy North.

Buckhaven has the usual array of amenities for residents. The town benefits from a position on the fantastic Fife Coastal Path and is a popular pitstop for walkers on the 117-mile-long path, which is a fantastic walking experience stretching from the Firth of Forth to the Firth of Tay taking people across a range of wild and urban routes through the various coastal and coal mining towns in Fife, all the way to St. Andrews and beyond. Buckhaven is ideally situated for pleasant walks to Largo Bay and the famous Wemyss Caves, a string of coastal caves which are a nationally important heritage site that attract many visitors. Residents of Buckhaven benefit from Methil and Leven’s various amenities too due to their closeness to the town and on the main road which makes travel quick and easy by car.

In terms of local schooling then, the local primary schools are Buckhaven Primary, Hyndhead School and Denbeath Primary School. The nearby secondary school, Levenmouth Academy, welcomes pupils from the region and also shares a campus with Fife College.