Fife Tree Warden, Paul McGhie shares how trees could improve the quality of his town’s seafront.
I live in the seaside town of Kirkcaldy, Fife, a former stronghold of industries such as coal and linoleum, but now largely residential and, to me, a town still finding its future. I say seaside town, yet Kirkcaldy is sometimes called “the town that turned its back on the sea.” Its wide sweeping bay has sadly been covered in huge stretches of tarmac and concrete, and the high street faces away from the beautiful views across the Firth of Forth.
One way to improve this area would be to add trees. The wide sweep of the bay deserves that kind of framing — rows or clusters of green, softening the edge between town and water. Trees would bring more than beauty: shade on hot days, shelter from the wind, and a sense of life to a space that feels grey and static. Unlike tarmac, trees change with the seasons — fresh green and blossom in spring, dappled shade in summer, fruit and colour in autumn, and silhouettes in winter.
I became a Tree Warden with this area of Kirkcaldy in mind. Since taking on the role, thanks to excellent support from the Fife Coast and Countryside Trust, I’ve learned more about trees in general and about tree equity — something I had an instinct for before, but couldn’t quite put into words.
Around Kirkcaldy’s seafront and town centre, the statistics confirm the visible lack of trees. The three data zones that line the main promenade and town centre score only in the 50s–60s on the Tree Equity Score UK tool, with canopy cover as low as 2–9%. All three are flagged as ‘highest priority’ for action. New trees here could make a big difference.
There are challenges. Planting space is scarce due to the tarmac. The few green areas that do exist (usually grass cut short) often cover underground utilities or are reserved for other activities, such as the annual travelling funfair — an event enjoyed by many, but fleeting (five days) compared with the year-round value trees could bring. Ground is often compacted, and there are no outdoor taps to help volunteers with watering. Then there are the natural challenges of the coast: salty air and the occasional storm.
Despite requests, the local council has not yet been able to provide any specific or positive update about tree planting along the seafront, or to outline plans to improve tree equity in that area.
And yet, there has been some progress. At the Forthview flats, for example, a collaboration between the residents’ association and the Fife Coast and Countryside Trust has led to new trees being planted. I’ve been involved in planting there and caring for the saplings. There have been setbacks (particularly with tall tamarisk trees), but we are finding species that thrive and learning how to support them in those crucial early years. There may also be positive changes ahead, as Kirkcaldy’s MP Melanie Ward has successfully lobbied for government funding to improve the seafront and town centre.
I would love to see Kirkcaldy’s seafront become a greener place — not just for my own enjoyment, but for the sake of the children growing up in the town today. They deserve more than tarmac — a landscape that reflects the town’s beautiful sea views and inspires pride. Planting trees along our seafront would help make Kirkcaldy healthier, greener, and more hopeful — a legacy we could all be proud of.
