KIRKCALDY SHERIFF COURT

Project: Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court Annex
Client: SCTS
Location: Kirkcaldy Police Station
Value: £3.5m
Listing: Grade B
Date Complete: 2020

In 2018 SCTS purchased part of a Grade B Listed Building, previously occupied by Police Scotland, with a view to adding two new Criminal Courtrooms (one of which was a Jury Court) to the current provision in Kirkcaldy and a wide range of ancillary accommodation to create a modern “fit for purpose” Courthouse. Importantly the project breathed new life into the Baroque styled Police Station and Bell Tower originally designed by W Williamson in 1902 which had been “unloved” and underutilised for many years.

MLA, in consultation with Fife Council Conservation Planners, considered it important that the original historic entrance was brought back into use after 25 years and its beautiful former Courtroom on the first floor was also reimagined. The main internal staircase and tall stained-glass window was restored in a scheme that carefully balanced the creation of modern courthouse facilities with the conservation of a building first occupied in 1902.

The project involved significant internal alterations and a full services upgrade which required careful integration with the historic fabric to retain as many original features as possible. Working in close collaboration with Police Scotland a new SCTS Custody block was added into the rear courtyard, closely linked to the existing Police Station.