The Robert Nairn

The Robert Nairn is a pub operated by J D Wetherspoon plc, located at 6 Kirk Wynd, Kirkcaldy, Fife, KY1 1EH, in Scotland. It is one of the many individually named Wetherspoon pubs across the United Kingdom, each typically occupying a distinctive building and carrying a name tied to local history or notable figures. The pub is named after Robert Nairn, a member of the Nairn family of Kirkcaldy industrialists. In 1886 he donated the land on which the Trustee Savings Bank (TSB) was built; that building later became the Wetherspoon pub. The Nairn family had long been involved in the weaving trade, and Robert's father Michael Nairn established a floor-cloth and linoleum business that helped make Kirkcaldy renowned as the 'linoleum centre of the world'. The pub therefore serves as a small monument to the town's industrial heritage. As a Wetherspoon pub, The Robert Nairn offers the chain's standard proposition: a wide range of real ales, beers, wines, spirits, cocktails and soft drinks, alongside an extensive food menu served throughout the day. The pub participates in Wetherspoon's twice-yearly real-ale festivals, which feature guest beers from international brewers, and it offers seasonal menus such as the Christmas menu and summer spritz cocktail ranges. Facilities include Wi-Fi, TV screens, a licensed outside area, baby-changing facilities and step-free access. Children under 18 are permitted on the premises between 8:00am and 9:00pm. Opening hours are from 8:00am daily, closing at midnight Sunday to Thursday and at 1:00am on Friday and Saturday. Customers can order food and drinks to their table via the Wetherspoon app. The pub is part of J D Wetherspoon plc, a British pub company founded by Tim Martin in 1979. The first Wetherspoon pub opened in Muswell Hill, north London, in December 1979, and the company was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1992. Wetherspoon is known for converting large or historically interesting buildings — former banks, cinemas, post offices and churches — into pubs, and for its focus on value pricing, cask ale and long opening hours. The Robert Nairn fits this pattern, occupying a former bank building in the centre of Kirkcaldy. The pub's name and interior displays, including prints and text about the Nairn family, connect it to the local history of the town.

The Robert Nairn is a Wetherspoon pub in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland. Its name commemorates Robert Nairn, a member of the Nairn family of Kirkcaldy industrialists. The Nairn family had long been in the weaving trade. Robert's father, Michael Nairn, born in Kirkcaldy in 1804, set up a linen business in Linktown before building a canvas factory on Hill Street in 1828. The canvas was intended for sails, but the rapid development of steamships led him to diversify into the production of floor-cloth. Linoleum, made from cloth impregnated with linseed oil and left to harden, was a patented name until 1873; producers of similar material had to call it floor-cloth. Michael's floor-cloth factory was known as Nairn's Folly. In 1847 Michael Nairn started a floor-covering factory, and he was so successful that others set up similar businesses, making Kirkcaldy renowned as the 'linoleum centre of the world'. One of the Nairn family's many gifts to the town included the land, donated by Robert Nairn, to build the Trustee Savings Bank (TSB). In 1886 Robert Nairn donated the land for the Trustee Savings Bank, which occupied the building until recently. Members of the Nairn family were associated with the bank for nearly a century. The building at 6 Kirk Wynd, Kirkcaldy, later became a J D Wetherspoon pub, which was named The Robert Nairn in honour of the family. The pub displays prints and text about the Nairn family and the building's history. J D Wetherspoon itself was founded by Tim Martin. The first pub, purchased from an entrepreneur who had converted it from a bookmaker's, opened in Colney Hatch Lane, Muswell Hill, north London, on 9 December 1979. For the first month it was called Martin's Free House, but was renamed Wetherspoons early in 1980. For the first few years the company's pubs were all located in north London, with the head office above The Dog in Archway. In 1990 Wetherspoon's pubs hosted their first real-ale festival, lasting four days and featuring six beers. In 1991 The Tally Ho in North Finchley, London, opened with a dedicated non-smoking bar upstairs, one of many pioneering initiatives carried out before the smoking ban of July 2007. That year the company also started its CBS scheme, highlighting cleanliness, beer and service, and produced the first edition of Wetherspoon News. Hamilton Hall opened at Liverpool Street station, London — the first pub in central London and at a train station. In 1992 Wetherspoon opened its first two airport pubs at Heathrow Airport, Terminal 4, and the company was floated on the Stock Exchange, becoming J D Wetherspoon plc, with shares issued at £1.60. Since then Wetherspoon has grown into one of the UK's largest pub operators, known for converting large and historic buildings into pubs and for its value pricing. The Robert Nairn is one of its Scottish outlets, serving the town of Kirkcaldy.

• 1992

  J D Wetherspoon is floated on the Stock Exchange and opens its first airport pubs at Heathrow.

• 1990

  Wetherspoon's pubs host their first real-ale festival.

• 1979

  First Wetherspoon pub opens in Muswell Hill, north London, on 9 December.

• 1886

  Robert Nairn donates the land for the Trustee Savings Bank building that now houses the pub.

• 1847

  Michael Nairn starts a floor-covering factory, helping Kirkcaldy become known as the 'linoleum centre of the world'.

• 1828

  Michael Nairn builds a canvas factory on Hill Street, later diversifying into floor-cloth production.

• 1804

  Michael Nairn, father of Robert Nairn, is born in Kirkcaldy.

Value-focused community pub within the J D Wetherspoon chain, occupying a historic former bank building in Kirkcaldy town centre.

• Real ale and cask beer

  A rotating selection of cask-conditioned ales, including guest beers during festivals.

• Beer festival guest ales

  Twice-yearly festivals featuring up to 50 beers, including international brewers.

• Spritz cocktails

  A range of nine classic and fruity spritz recipes.

• Christmas menu

  Festive dishes available from mid-November to the end of December.

1. 1The Robert Nairn - J D Wetherspoonjdwetherspoon.com
2. 2History - J D Wetherspoonjdwetherspoon.com
3. 3The Robert Nairn - J D Wetherspoon (pub history)jdwetherspoon.com
4. 4About us - J D Wetherspoonjdwetherspoon.com
5. 5The Robert Nairn - Wikidatawikidata.org