Kirkcaldy harbour was at a sheltered cove round the East Burn, giving easy accessibility for boats.Pride 1999, p.51. By the early 16th century the vessels of the harbour were engaging in trade with the Baltic, later dealing with the import of grain in 1618 and continental beer in 1625. A shipbuilding trade also existed on the site until this was phased out temporarily in 1645. The success led to the growth of the burgh, surrounding the harbour, main street and Tiel (West) burn, commented on by Thomas Carlyle.Lamont-Brown 2002, p.144. During his stay he described the shore as being "a mile of the smoothest sand, with one long wave coming on gently, steadily, and breaking into a gradual explosion beautifully sounding, and advancing ran from the South to the North, from the West Burn to Kirkcaldy Harbour, a favourite scene, beautiful to me still in the faraway".Civic Society Kirkcaldy Remembered, pp.7–8.Wemyss Environment Educational Centre 1990, p.1.
