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Kirkcaldy Magic Circle was formed in 1942. The founder members were Max Murdoch (Sanara), Jim Hynd, Tommy Scott and Andrew Birrell. The Club name at the time was The Lang Toon Legerdemaniacs. It was said that the name was changed to Kirkcaldy Magic Circle as none of the members could spell Legerdemaniacs.

The first meeting of the club was held in Kirkcaldy Fire Station, Coal wynd in Kirkcaldy. Unfortunately Jim Hynd a local fireman had to leave the meeting early due to a fire in the area. Jim Hynd was elected the first President of Kirkcaldy Magic Circle. Early Club meetings were held in the Deaf and Dumb Institute in Kirkcaldy.

The club had a rather unusual ceremony for the inauguration of new members into the club. The Prince Sanara costume belonging to Max Murdoch was used. The President wore the turban during the installation ceremony. The Novice was blindfolded and escorted into the clubroom where his eyes were uncovered to disclose the room in darkness save for a weird green light emanating from a pyramid on the table and striking upon the features of the figure in eastern robes. Close by stood an artificial hand grasping a wand, the new member gripped the wand also, whilst repeating after the President the oath of loyalty and secrecy where the club and its secrets were concerned. All this followed after the applicant had performed magic to the members to show he was a worthy applicant.

This ceremony lasted a short time before being replaced by another ceremony based on the Powers of Darkness by Corinda of 13 Steps of Mentalism. The magical props used included rope and a metal ring. By 1964 the ceremony was cancelled due to the fact that the documents describing the ceremony could not be found.
The fees in 1942 were £1 membership and five shillings per year. After 50 years it is not a lot more expensive at £5 per annum.

Kirkcaldy Magic Circle have organised an annual magical sale and exchange in Scotland for the last 41 years. This started as a club sale, it grew to be a sale for local clubs and after the opening of the Forth road bridge in 1966 grew further to take in Edinburgh, Perth, Dundee, Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock and Aberdeen circles. Soon all the clubs in Scotland were attending. In 1966, the first time other clubs were invited the sale lasted until 11:45pm. The present organiser Jim Craig usually starts the sale about 1:30pm and finishes no later than 7pm.

Some of our members were well known for their contributions to various magical magazines. Jim Cook (Campbell McRae), Tom Johnston and Jim Boyd were regular contributors to the Gen magazine. Jim Cook also wrote the instructions on how to perform magical effects for Thomas Slater, a local firm who produced magic sets.
There are a number of these magical sets in the collection of Wittis Witt in Germany.

Harold McMillan and Jim Craig presented the McMillan Shield and the Craig Quaich to the Scottish Association of Magical Societies.

Honorary members of our club include: Will Goldston, John Ramsay, Stewart Murray and Tommy Cooper.

Kirkcaldy Magic Circle were one of the founder members of SAMS The Scottish Association of Magical Societies. We went on to win many of the SAMS competitions.

Cannon Trophy:
1959, 1963,
McMillan Shield: Jim Craig 1955, Jim Cook 1963

Max Raskin Cup:
Stewart Murray 1959, Stewart Murray 1963, Jim Craig 1990

Presidents of SAMS:
Jim Craig (2), Jim Boyd (2), Jim Hynd (4), Tom McFadyen, Harold McMillan, Stewart Murray, Sam Nardone.

John Ramsay Trophy
2002
Michael McMillan

In the year 2002 Kirkcaldy Magic Circle still prospers. We have a good mix of members both young and old. We welcome anyone who has a great love for magic.

There are currently thirteen full members with a great wealth of knowledge of magic between them.

President: Jim Boyd
Treasurer: Jim Craig
Secretary: Jim Boyd

If you have any stories or would like to contribute to this page in anyway please send me an e-mail.

All information supplied from our most senior member Tom McFadyen. This info can be found in the book 'History of Scottish Magical Societies' by Jim Cuthbert.