Cardenden

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Houses in Cardenden

The former mining town of Cardenden lies on the South bank of the River Ore in the parish of Auchterderran, Fife, Scotland. It is approximately 4 miles North-West of Kirkcaldy. It was given its name in 1848 by the Edinburgh and Northern Railway for its new railway station.

There are several 'areas' of Cardenden. - Auchterderran, Bowhill and Dundonald. Plans have been announced to create an eco-town of 5,000 homes on a 1,200-acre site^[1]

It was home to the poet Joe Corrie (1894–1968) who gives his name to the Corrie Centre. Bowhill by Cardenden was the home to Celtic goalkeeper John Thomson (1909–1931) who died aged 22 as a result of injuries sustained in a match against Rangers. He lies buried at Bowhill.

Cardenden is also the birthplace in 1960 of award-winning crime writer Ian Rankin.

Carden Tower was built in the 16th century by the Mertyne family of Medhope.

The last duel in Scotland was fought on 2 August 1826 in a field at Cardenbarns to the south of Cardenden. David Landale, a Kirkcaldy merchant fought George Morgan, a Kirkcaldy banker and retired professional soldier. Morgan retired as a Lieutenant from the 77th Regiment of Foot. Morgan was killed by wounds received from a pistol ball. Landale was tried and subsequently cleared of his murder at Perth Sherrif Court.

The original pistols that David Landale used in the duel are housed in the Kirkcaldy Museum and Art Gallery. The duel itself was the subject of an episode of Timewatch on BBC television, broadcast on 9 February 2007 entitled "The Last Duel".^[2] The site is now the location of the Fife Community Off Road Motorcycle Club. The BBC News 24 chief political correspondent, James Lansdale, is a direct descendent of David Landale.