LINKTOWN, a town, in the parish of Abbotshall,
district of Kirkcaldy, county of Fife; containing
3'24() inhabitants. This town is situated on the west
side of Kirkcaldy bay, and consists of one principal
street, nearly a mile in length, and of several lanes which
lead into it from various parts of the parish. These are
all narrow and inconveniently formed j and the houses,
with the exception of some of more modern erection,
are low and of mean aspect. The streets are lighted
with gas from works erected in the parish for the supply
of Kirkcaldy, Newtown, and places adjacent. Nearly in
the centre of the town is a handsome residence belonging
to John Pratt, Esq., of Glentarkie, which, being
surrounded by grounds tastefully laid out, and embellished
with shrubberies and young plantations, adds
much to the scenery and general appearance of the place.
Most of the chief manufacturers of the parish reside in
this town, which contains works of various kinds. The
principal trade is the weaving of ticking, and the manufacture
of dowlas, canvas, and a thin kind of sheeting;
there are several spinning-mills, a pottery for the coarser
sorts of earthenware, and a small-beer brewery. The
proximity of the market of Kirkcaldy renders the establishment
of any at this place unnecessary; but a fair is
held on the third Friday in April, formerly much attended
for the sale of linseed; and another on the third
Friday in October, formerly for the sale of black-cattle.
These, however, have both very much declined; and at
present, shoes and a few articles of pedlery only are exposed
for sale. Great facility of intercourse is afforded
by the Edinburgh, Perth, and Dundee railway. A society
for supplying meal at a moderate cost when that
article is dear, has been established, and operates as a
salutary check upon sudden fluctuations in the price of
bread. The town is a burgh of barony, and is under the
government of a bailie appointed by the Ferguson family,
of Raith. There is a small prison for the temporary confinement
of persons convicted by the bailie of trifling
offences against the peace; but it is very seldom used.  See Abbotshall.