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The Big Auction
All of the Wemyss Ware Cat Trail cats will be sold at auction on 3rd October 2026 at the Adam Smith Theatre. You will find details of the 21 lots that will be auctioned below. Lots 1-3 are special items unique to this auction, and Lots 4-21 are all the giant cats. The auction will be conducted by professional auctioneers Bonham's.
There are three ways you can bid at the auction - follow the links below for more information.
You can also attend the auction as a spectator by buying a ticket for £5 and you will receive a complimentary Souvenir Programme and Auction Guide worth £5.
LOT # 1 - Signed Programme
This special copy of the Souvenir Programme and Auction Catalogue has been signed by all 17 cat artists
LOT # 2 - Love Kirkcaldy Cat
The unique Love Kirkcaldy Wemyss Ware cat was made by the Griselda Hill Pottery exclusively for this auction.
LOT # 3 - Susan McGill Cat
Kirkcaldy-based ceramicist, Susan McGill, has made a 'Wally Cat' with the cat trail logo (which she designed) as an exclusive piece of pottery for this auction.
LOT # 4 - Thistle Cat
By artist Roseanne Hoy. Roseanne has enjoyed a fulfilling career at Griselda Hill Pottery since 1996. She also designs jewellery which, alongside Wemyss, satisfies her love of colour and designs.
The national flower of Scotland, the thistle is one of the most popular Wemyss Ware designs.
The national flower of Scotland, the thistle is one of the most popular Wemyss Ware designs.
LOT # 5 - Poppies Lino Cat in Green
By artist Hazel Terry. Hazel is a children's author and illustrator, muralist and artist with a love of history and nature that influences her work.
A cat painted with Nairn's lino design that featured in the recent exhibition in Kirkcaldy and St Andrews, of Kirkcaldy's rich Linoleum manufacturing heritage.
A cat painted with Nairn's lino design that featured in the recent exhibition in Kirkcaldy and St Andrews, of Kirkcaldy's rich Linoleum manufacturing heritage.
LOT # 6 - Women's Wark Will Ne'er Be Dune
By artist Abigail Cooper. Abigail is a ceramicist based in Kirkcaldy, who is interested in exploring themes of folklore, history, grief and place in her pieces.
Wrapped in herring and flax, paws dirty with coal dust, this cat celebrates women’s work in three of Fife’s major industries: linen, fishing and coal.
Wrapped in herring and flax, paws dirty with coal dust, this cat celebrates women’s work in three of Fife’s major industries: linen, fishing and coal.
LOT # 7 - Pineapple Botanical
By artist Dorothy Black. Renowned for her powerful draughtsmanship, Dorothy is an established artist with work held in many private and public collections, including Kirkcaldy Museum and Gallery.
This cat is decorated with several images taken from Dorothy's own observed drawings of natural forms; including pineapples, ferns, lilies, sunflowers, dandelions and poppies.
This cat is decorated with several images taken from Dorothy's own observed drawings of natural forms; including pineapples, ferns, lilies, sunflowers, dandelions and poppies.
LOT # 8 - Kirkcaldy Lynx
By artist Donna Forester. Donna is a Fife-based painter/muralist. After graduating in traditional Art and Design, Donna's background is primarily in Multimedia Design roles in marketing and online learning.
The ‘Kirkcaldy Lynx' is fluffy, majestic and a bit cheeky. A play on wording (annual Links Market) the Lynx cat is a celebration of attractions in town.
The ‘Kirkcaldy Lynx' is fluffy, majestic and a bit cheeky. A play on wording (annual Links Market) the Lynx cat is a celebration of attractions in town.
LOT # 9 - Galle Cat
By artist Griselda Hill. Griselda is the founder and owner of Griselda Hill Pottery Ltd, which has made Wemyss Ware in Fife for over forty years.
This lovely egg yellow and black cat is a traditional Wemyss Ware design which has been a best seller over the years.
This lovely egg yellow and black cat is a traditional Wemyss Ware design which has been a best seller over the years.
LOT # 10 - Fun Guy
By artist Rachel Devine. Rachel Devine, a Kirkcaldy artist, transforms overlooked everyday objects into enchanting, whimsical pieces, combining storytelling with artwork inspired by daydreams and fantasy.
“Fun Guy” is a whimsical nature-inspired character, perhaps lost in time and covered in moss, symbolising our hopes for regrowth and transformation, with a magically imaginative spirit, reflecting Kirkcaldy’s regeneration aims.
“Fun Guy” is a whimsical nature-inspired character, perhaps lost in time and covered in moss, symbolising our hopes for regrowth and transformation, with a magically imaginative spirit, reflecting Kirkcaldy’s regeneration aims.
LOT # 11 - The Showcat
The bold & decorative Showcat is inspired by traditional hand painted fairground art and Kirkcaldy’s connection with the Links Market - aiming to feel playful & joyfully nostalgic.
By artist Lisa Graef. Lisa Graef is a professional signwriter, with a background in scenic art, whose work blends traditional craft and process with a fresh, modern energy.
By artist Lisa Graef. Lisa Graef is a professional signwriter, with a background in scenic art, whose work blends traditional craft and process with a fresh, modern energy.
LOT # 12 - Asparagus Misfit the Theatre Cat
By artist Susan Warner.
A Duncan of Jordanstone graduate and resident artist at the Kings Theatre, Kirkcaldy - Susan Warner’s practice spans digital collage, typography, painting, and community arts.
Gus invites you to pause for a moment. To think of something you’d like to change, or grow, or let go of. To consider that the brightest things often have a whole world underneath them.
A Duncan of Jordanstone graduate and resident artist at the Kings Theatre, Kirkcaldy - Susan Warner’s practice spans digital collage, typography, painting, and community arts.
Gus invites you to pause for a moment. To think of something you’d like to change, or grow, or let go of. To consider that the brightest things often have a whole world underneath them.
LOT # 13 - A Queer-like Cat
By artist Susan McGill.
Susan is a ceramic artist and designer who works from her studio in Kirkcaldy. Her black and white designs use pattern and text to create romantic, humorous pieces.
“A Queer-like Cat is an illustration of the Scottish poem 'The Boy on the Train', written by Mary Campbell Smith (1915). Is the next stop Kirkcaldy?
Susan is a ceramic artist and designer who works from her studio in Kirkcaldy. Her black and white designs use pattern and text to create romantic, humorous pieces.
“A Queer-like Cat is an illustration of the Scottish poem 'The Boy on the Train', written by Mary Campbell Smith (1915). Is the next stop Kirkcaldy?
LOT # 14 - Dysart Cat
By artist Yolande Kenny. Fife’s picturesque coastline with stories of local wildlife and people going about their everyday lives are portrayed in Yolande Kenny’s paintings.
The cat celebrates Dysart. The world carries on, yet Dysart seems to sit eternally in its own space; a place of peace and tranquillity.
The cat celebrates Dysart. The world carries on, yet Dysart seems to sit eternally in its own space; a place of peace and tranquillity.
LOT # 15 - The Love Cat
By artist Vanessa Gibson. Vanessa creates highly decorative pieces featuring song lyrics. Her distinctive style depicts words hidden in plain sight. Artwork encompasses furniture, walls and clothing.
Lyrics from ‘The Lovecats’ by The Cure swirl around The LoveCat in a striking colour palette. From the right eye. "We move like cagey tigers"...
Lyrics from ‘The Lovecats’ by The Cure swirl around The LoveCat in a striking colour palette. From the right eye. "We move like cagey tigers"...
LOT # 16 - Wildflower
By artist Lauren Morsley. A Scottish illustrator and printmaker specialising in bold, colourful designs inspired by intriguing stories, places, people and nature. Lauren Morsley makes and sells her own prints and products alongside commission work.
Inspired by the abundance of nature found in Kirkcaldy and its park and farmland walks. This piece hopes to inspire folk to look a little closer and be curious of the nature around them.
Inspired by the abundance of nature found in Kirkcaldy and its park and farmland walks. This piece hopes to inspire folk to look a little closer and be curious of the nature around them.
LOT # 17 - Pit Cat
By artist Paul McGinty. Fife-based abstract painter, known nationally for his very successful 'Beneath the Surface' exhibition, recognising and celebrating the Coal Mining Industry in Fife.
"Pit Cat" is in recognition of the contribution made by cats to control vermin attracted by the remnants of miner's packed lunches down the mines.
"Pit Cat" is in recognition of the contribution made by cats to control vermin attracted by the remnants of miner's packed lunches down the mines.
LOT # 18 - Lino
By artist Joanna Scott. Joanna has worked across publishing, product development and arts participation for over twenty-five years. Clients have included Rainbow Magic, Harrods, Selfridges, Paddington Bear and Trestle Theatre.
Lino is painted in mid-20thC linoleum patterns and colours following orange-tabby markings, this cat celebrates Kirkcaldy’s historic linoleum industry. Lino is also an anagram of Lion.
Lino is painted in mid-20thC linoleum patterns and colours following orange-tabby markings, this cat celebrates Kirkcaldy’s historic linoleum industry. Lino is also an anagram of Lion.
LOT # 19 - Cabbage Rose Cat
By artist Elaine Syme. Elaine was born and raised in Fife, Elaine Syme studied illustration at Duncan of Jordanstone, Dundee, and secured a job at Griselda Hill Pottery, making that her career.
The cabbage rose is a famous traditional Wemyss Ware design whose secret technique has been passed down through the generations of Wemyss artists.
The cabbage rose is a famous traditional Wemyss Ware design whose secret technique has been passed down through the generations of Wemyss artists.
LOT # 20 - Contingency Cat
Luckily our 'contingency cat' was not needed for the trail. So this is a one-off blank, primed but undecorated cat with a metal base.
LOT # 21 - Sweetie
By artist Robert Mach. Robert works with confectionery coverings and other foil materials, such as the iconic Tunnocks Teacake wrapper to manufacture pictures and sculptures.
Sweetie was our travelling cat, taking the Wemyss Ware Cat Trail beyond Kirkcaldy, including a special trip to Edinburgh. Designed by Robert Mach, Sweetie was inspired by the iconic Tunnock’s Teacake wrapper, with playful patterns and lines creating her own unique character.
Sweetie was our travelling cat, taking the Wemyss Ware Cat Trail beyond Kirkcaldy, including a special trip to Edinburgh. Designed by Robert Mach, Sweetie was inspired by the iconic Tunnock’s Teacake wrapper, with playful patterns and lines creating her own unique character.
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