As today marks the 75th anniversary of the official opening of Craigtoun as a public park, we thought we'd share a copy of this article from the St Andrews Citizen reporting on the event.

St. Andrews Citizen - Saturday 03 June 1950

CRAIGTOUN FIFE COUNTY COUNCIL’S FIRST PUBLIC PARK Opening Ceremony Glorious sunshine greeted the party of County Councillors, their wives, officials, and friends who arrived at Craigtoun, St Andrews, from the County Buddings in Cupar, and made the opening ceremony of the new 44 acre grounds as a public park a most auspicious occasion. In addition to the official party from Cupar, large number of StAndreans had taken the opportunity to view the beauties of Craigtoun when the rhododendrons and other blooms are at their full. Gathered around the platform party which was assembled at the side of the lovely loch with its miniature Dutch village, the spectators who could not be accommodated on the limited number of seats provided struck informal note by sitting on the turf, and the whole scene was pleasantly reminiscent of garden party being held under the most ideal conditions. Bailie A. Kinsman, Cupar, presided, and was accompanied the platform by Mrs Kinsman; ex-Provost Bruce, Convener of the County, and Mrs Bruce; Mr J, M. Mitchell, County Clerk, and Mrs Mitchell; Captain and Mrs Younger, the Rev. William Flint, Kettle; and Mr H. H. Edie, Elie. Bailie Kinsman extended a hearty welcome to all present from the County Council, and said that the park which was about to be opened obviously required no words of praise from him. They could all see for themselves its beauties. He wished specially to welcome all the ladies who had come along that afternoon, he felt certain it was they more than anyone else who would do what was necessary to popularise the park. Without saying any more, he would call upon Mr Flint to dedicate the park. Mr Flint thereupon dedicated Craigtoun Park as a place of recreation for the people of Fife for all time. The Convener of the County stated that it was in 1947 that they acquired this lovely park for the county and also Mount Melville House, as he would call it, from Captain Younger. He happened himself to be concerned, as Finance Convener, along with the County Clerk, in the purchase of Craigtoun, and in the transfer of the property they were very much indebted to Captain Younger for the very generous terms which they obtained. All who knew the late Mrs Younger would know how pleased she would have been at the use which was now being made of her beautiful home and the lovely grounds around it. She was a lady who did a great deal of good and always went quietly about it, and it was a great pleasure to have with them that day Captain and Mrs Younger to see the dedication of the park to its new use. In 1948 the Hospitals Board took over Craigtoun House from them, and arrangements had since been made that of the 55 acres of ground, 44 acres would be used as a public park for the benefit of the county. They now saw the park, a place that was almost beyond praise for its beauty, and they in the County of Fife had in it a great acquisition. It might be said of it that it was far away from the towns, but these were days when distance did not count for much, and motor transport could bring them near to it. The County Convener appealed to those who would use the park in the future to take care of their property. They were living in days when there was a good deal of wanton vandalism, but he was sure that the people of Fife would use Craigtoun in the right way, a place for quiet recreation. He also hoped that it would be used by people from all parts of the county, from the west as well as from the east. In conclusion, he thanked Mr Edie for the arrangements which had been made for the public opening of the park. These arrangements had been ideal. Mr Edie, who returned a comprehensive vote of thanks, spoke of the general indebtedness to Captain and Mrs Younger for having given the County Council the opportunity to acquire such a lovely spot. It was a truly beautiful place, and he hoped that in the future many people would come and have picnic parties there in ideal surroundings. He also returned thanks to the County Clerk and to Bailie Kinsman for presiding, as well as for the great interest he had taken in the park all along. Thanks were also due to Mr Flint and to Provost Bruce, as well as to Mr William Dow and the Parks Committee, whose staff had had a great deal of work in getting the park in readiness for the opening. After a display of gymnastics hy the Ladybank boys, tea was provided in a marquee, under the supervision of Mrs Orchison. Cupar, The gathering then had an opportunity of wandering around the grounds in the warm sunshine and admiring the beautiful gardens and grounds. At the conclusion of the opening ceremony, a lovely mixed bouquet of flowers was presented to Mrs Bruce, wife of the Convener, by Miss Johnston. a member of the County Clerk’s office staff.