Time finally running out for doomed Nairn linoleum works

Kirkcaldy is to lose one of its best-known landmarks, as demolition work starts on the world’s oldest linoleum factory.

Last autumn Scottish Enterprise confirmed the former Nairn’s linoleum works was to be levelled, after languishing for 20 years on the market.

This weekend Victoria Road will be closed for two days, as work starts on site to remove a lot of “clearable” items.

In all, it is estimated the demolition work will take eight weeks. However, the road will not be closed for the entire project.

The historic building has been in a state of disrepair for many years. Scaffolding on the building, on one of the town’s busiest thoroughfares, had started to come down to prepare for it being razed to the ground.

Demolition consent was granted some time ago, despite an “economically unviable” bid by Historic Scotland to preserve and repair the 120-year-old A-listed former factory.

Forbo Nairn, which still operates another site in Kirkcaldy, vacated the Victoria Road premises in 1985. Scottish Enterprise bought the building and 12-acre site in 2001.

At its peak, the Kirkcaldy linoleum industry sustained six factories in the town, making linoleum using linseed oil.