LEVEN, a sea-port and burgh of barony (ancient) and
bathing-place, in the parish of Scoonie, district of
Kirkcaldy, county of Fife, 3 miles (W. S. W.) from
Largo', and 9 (N. E.) from Kirkcaldy; containing above
2000 inhabitants. This place, which is agreeably situated
on the sea-sbore at the mouth of the river whence
it takes its name, was erected into a burgh of barony by
charter of the proprietor of the lands of Durie, formerly
in the possession of the Gibson family, whose descendants,
the Lords Durie, are distinguished in Scottish
history. These lands now belong to Charles Maitland
Christie, Esq. The town consists chiefly of two parallel
streets, connected with each other by several smaller
streets crossing them in various directions; the houses
are neatly built, and the inhabitants are supplied with
water, and the town cleansed and lighted, by a board
of police that has been el^tablished some years under
act of parliament. A handsome carriage-bridge has
been constructed over the river, near its mouth, in connexion
with the new road leading to Kirkcaldy: the
want of this was long severely felt, as there was no
bridge for carriages nearer than Cameron bridge, about
three miles further up the stream. A subscription
library, containing a well-chosen collection of nearly 700
volumes, has been for some time founded; and there is
also a mechanics' institution, to which is attached a
library of useful works. The weaving of linen is one of
the chief branches of the trade of Leven, affording employment
to about 170 persons at handlooms in their
own dwellings. There are also five mills for the spinning
of flax and tow, in which 250 persons are engaged,
of whom upwards of 150 are females. An extensive
iron-foundry has been many years in operation, and
gives constant occupation to about fifty men; about
thirty are employed in a saw-mill, and a considerable
manufactory of bricks and tiles is carried on. The town
derives a degree of traffic from its proximity to the
market-towns of Kirkcaldy and Cupar; and the postoffice
has two deliveries daily. Fairs are held in the
spring annually, and likewise in July and October, the
former fair for linseed, and the two latter for white
linen: about half a century ago, they were numerously
attended by merchants from distant parts of the country;
but they have now become little more than pleasurefairs.
The trade of the port consists in the exportation of
the coal procured on the Durie estate, and of linen-cloth
and yarn, bone-dust for manure, grain, potatoes, whisky,
cast and pig iron, ochre, and bricks and tiles; and in
the importation of flax, hemp, malt, coal, stone for
building, timber, slates, herrings, and bones to grind for
manure. There belong to the port two brigs, of 374
tons' aggregate burthen, chiefly in the American trade;
and five sloops, of 188 tons' aggregate burthen, employed
in the coasting-trade. In a late year, fifteen
foreign ships, and '2i'i coasters, entered mwards; the
value of the exports was £60,483, and of the imports,
£43,190. Leven harbour, naturally formed by a creek
of the river, is accessible at spring-tides to vessels of
300 tons, which can unload and take in their cargoes
at the quay; but from the banks of sand near its
mouth, which after storms or floods frequently .shift
their position, the entrance is rather difficult. The
quay, also, is not sufficiently extensive for the increasing
trade, which, if it should continue to make the same
progress it has made for the last few years, must
ultimately lead to the improvement of the harbour and
the enlargement of the quay. Facility of intercourse
with the neighbouring market-towns is afforded by turnpike-
roads; the Edinburgh and Northern railway passes
a few miles to the west of the town, and there is also
communication with Edinburgh by steam-boats, which
leave the port during the summer twice, and in winter
once, every day. The parochial church is in the vicinity
of the town; and there are places of worship for members
of the Free Church, the United Presbyterian Church,
and Independents.