A steep-roofed Gothic tower advertises the former grain market that remains one of Cupar's busiest assembly buildings.
Quick facts
- Date
- 1861-62
- Architect / designer
- Campbell Douglas and Stevenson
- Type
- Gothic Revival corn-exchange tower
- Designation
- Listed building, Category B (LB24165)
- OS grid reference
- NO 37550 14611
Architecture and continuing use
The listed element is a square tower of coursed rubble capped by a tall roof with lucarnes. Its vertical Gothic emphasis contrasts with the classical civic buildings nearby and marks the entrance to the broader hall complex.
Its story
A private company commissioned the exchange, whose foundation stone was laid in 1861 and whose trading hall opened in 1862. Agricultural exchange declined, but the building moved into civic ownership and sustained a new life as an events venue.
Why it is included
The tower records Cupar's agricultural market, gives the street a major landmark and fronts an unusually active reused public hall.
What to notice
- The tall lucarned roof above the square tower.
- Gothic stonework set against neighbouring classical facades.
- The tower as the public marker for the long hall behind.
Reading the surroundings
Fife Council publishes event and hire arrangements. Interior access follows bookings and programmes; the tower itself is not advertised as a separate visitor space.
Timeline
- August 1861 A foundation ceremony began construction for the private exchange company.
- 1862 The completed market hall opened for agricultural business.
- 1961 Cupar Town Council acquired the building.
- 2026 Performances, fairs, meetings and community events continue inside.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
Public descriptions often call the entire Corn Exchange listed; this record states the narrower statutory scope.
Sources & further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: Cupar Corn Exchange Tower, LB24165 — Designation category, mapped location, date, fabric, authorship and architectural or historical interest.
- Fife Council: Cupar Corn Exchange — Current community, performance, meeting and event use plus access information.
Location
OS grid reference NO 37550 14611 · Location confidence: High: the statutory designation supplies an official mapped National Grid Reference and the current source confirms the Place relationship or present identity. · Select the marker to open its satellite view in Google Maps. On desktop, drag Pegman (the yellow figure) onto a blue road. On mobile, turn on the Street View layer and tap a blue road. Other photo markers may be user-contributed.
Suggest a marker correction
Suggest a more accurate position
The teal marker is the current published position. The orange marker starts slightly to its right so both remain visible; this is only a visual starting position. Tap the correct place on the map or drag the orange marker. Sending this form creates a private review entry only; it does not move the published marker.
Check this area in Google Maps Choose the Satellite layer there if useful.
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors. You can also enter checked coordinates below.