A groundbreaking public sculpture trail featuring giant Wemyss Ware cats is set to transform Kirkcaldy in 2026, bringing large-scale art installations to the Scottish town while celebrating an iconic piece of Fife's cultural heritage. The first-ever Wemyss Ware Cat Trail was officially launched at Kirkcaldy Galleries on Wednesday afternoon, offering visitors a preview of what's planned for next year.
The ambitious project is being funded by the Kirkcaldy Lottery, which was established last year by the Adam Smith Global Foundation to raise money for town center improvement initiatives. The foundation is now actively seeking business sponsors and has opened applications for local artists to create unique decorative designs for the cat sculptures through paid commissions.
Two inaugural Wemyss Cats, decorated by Griselda Hill from the Wemyss Ware pottery, are currently on display at the galleries, with additional cats going on public display starting today. Many more giant feline sculptures will follow throughout next year. The Wemyss cat was selected for its strong connection to Kirkcaldy's heritage, its instantly recognizable silhouette, and its large surfaces that provide ample space for artistic decoration.
Edinburgh-based sculptor Andrea Porteous, renowned for her large-scale work creating film sets and props for productions including the Outlander series and Superman Returns, carved the oversized cat sculpture. Her work was based on a smaller original cat produced in Kirkcaldy around 1890, which was borrowed from a local collector. A mold was created from Porteous's sculpture, and multiple replica fiberglass cats are now being manufactured in a workshop on the outskirts of Edinburgh.
Dr. Gordon Povey, general manager of the Adam Smith Global Foundation, explained the project's economic strategy and community benefits. "There are a lot of up-front costs, such as for the large sculpture, the mold and the cats themselves, but sponsorship will help offset some of these," he said. "We are keeping everything as local as possible and prioritizing the commissioning of local artists for the work to support the local economy."
Povey emphasized the trail's potential for community engagement and tourism. "The project will create a buzz in the town, kids and families love these colorful trails, it is a healthy outdoor activity and there will be lots of great photo opportunities that will help promote the town in a positive way," he noted. "We expect the trail to attract many visitors to Kirkcaldy which will feed into local businesses too."
Each cat sculpture will stand over 1.6 meters tall, with at least a dozen forming a unique sculpture trail spread across the Kirkcaldy area. Drawing inspiration from previous successful sculpture trails, such as the Oor Wullie Bucket Trail in Dundee, the foundation is confident that the Lang Town's cat trail will become a cultural landmark attracting visitors from across Fife and beyond.
The planned trail will run through the summer of 2026, featuring at least 12 cats on public display throughout the area. Each sculpture will be decorated by artists in their own distinctive style, with displays hoped to extend from Burntisland to Dysart, pending the identification of suitable locations. The trail will be enhanced by a dedicated mobile app and family-friendly activities such as treasure hunts.
The cat sculptures are handcrafted from fiberglass with specially weighted bases for stability. The foundation is currently seeking local artists to submit design proposals and encouraging local businesses and individuals to consider sponsoring individual cats. In late December, the foundation plans to match sponsors with their preferred designs and commission the selected artists to decorate one cat each.
This large-scale public art initiative follows the lottery's previous success in funding numerous murals across the High Street, all created by local artists. The mural project culminated with an eye-catching painting of a young Adam Smith adorning a gable end in the east end of the High Street.
At the summer's end, the cats will be auctioned with proceeds returning to the Kirkcaldy Projects Fund, which has already supported 14 local projects. "We know that there are many Wemyss Ware collectors that would love something unique like this, and a successful outcome will mean we can go on to even more ambitious projects in the future," Povey said. "We hope we can find a way to keep at least one of the cats on permanent display somewhere in Kirkcaldy."
Wemyss Ware holds significant historical importance to the region, first produced in Kirkcaldy by the Fife Pottery business located on Pottery Street in 1882. Their cat design became an iconic shape decorated in many different patterns. Few original cats survive today, and those that do command thousands of pounds at auction. The pottery has attracted notable collectors including King Charles III and Elton John, with original Wemyss Ware pieces displayed in Kirkcaldy Galleries. The cat also serves as the logo for the Friends of Kirkcaldy Galleries.
Wemyss Ware was revived 40 years ago when Griselda Hill Pottery acquired the trademark in 1985. Fittingly, Griselda was commissioned to decorate the first two cats in traditional Wemyss Ware style to launch the project, with her pottery serving as the exclusive sponsor of these inaugural pieces. Artists and potential sponsors can request design templates and sponsorship details from infoadamsmithglobalfoundation.com.
