Project of the week

Just outside the bustling harbour in Kirkcaldy, 16th-century merchant, David Law, built a grand house richly decorated with floral ceilings and a wall painting of the trading ships docked nearby. When finished, Law’s house would have been among the grandest merchant’s homes outside Edinburgh, and, for two centuries, the space was home to some of Kirkcaldy’s most prominent families. As Kirkcaldy port continued to grow and expectations for grand homes changed, however, Law’s house fell out of favour and was subdivided into shops and apartments. 

For over a century, the space dwindled slowly; it was in 1985 that its fortune changed, when a student discovered its extraordinary painted ceilings. Scottish Historic Buildings Trust was soon founded with its first mission to secure this Category A-listed gem for the future. Over 20 years, the Trust fully conserved, studied, and interpreted the house and its history. 

Today, Law’s Close operates as a commercial business and retail hub, with office spaces and a café, and is home to a variety of small businesses. A thriving volunteer programme in its garden brings people together at the heart of this historic town. 

“This architectural gem, with its many layers of history and beautiful decorative features, is now supporting small and family-run businesses, and offers people a rare chance to work in characterful and unique surroundings. The project is significant in that it was one of the first undertaken by Scottish Historic Buildings Trust, an organisation that we continue to support today.” 

Kelcey Wilson-Lee, Director of Programmes and Deputy CEO at the Architectural Heritage Fund