Burnside Brewery

Business: Thomson and Son

Location: Cupar

Type: Brewery

James Thomson moved to a new brewery erected at Burnside in 1840. When he died in 1841 his wife Ellen Murdoch "obtained an experienced brewer" to carry on the business.

Oliver Melville was the next tenant of the brewery (also referred to as the Lady Burnside Brewery), and employed three men and four brewers in 1851. When he gave up the lease in 1853 it was taken on by David Brown, who had worked in the brewery since1844. David's tenancy was short-lived and James Hodge took on the lease in 1854. This tenancy was equally brief as the brewery, together with the malt barn, kiln, shed and cellar, were advertised for sale or let in 1855. The owner of the brewery at this time was William West.

The Burnside Brewery was then leased by Forbes and Auld from 1859 until Frederick Scott Forbes died in 1864. The brewery was offered to let and was described as being "extensive and commodious and commanding an excellent source of water". Brewing, however, ceased at this point and the premises were leased by J. & J. Crichton, a firm of maltsters.

The precise location of the Burnside Brewery is unclear as it is described in valuation rolls as simply being east of the wynd at 14 Burnside. A smithy was close by so it may be the complex of buildings to the west of what is now the Cupar Arms.