A HISTORY mystery is intriguing the pupils and staff at Viewforth High School in Kirkcaldy and now headteacher Ian Baxter is appealing for help in solving an enigma that dates back 100 years.

He said yesterday, “When the school was opened in 1908 a time capsule was secreted somewhere in the stonework but although we have searched the school records and spent hours looking through other sources of information like the local library, we have so far been unable to pinpoint its exact location.

“However, we firmly believe it could be that some- one else out there has the piece of the jigsaw we need and can help us solve this intriguing mystery.”

And now the school has asked stonemason George Sweeney Jnr of Glenrothes to help in the search and he is committed to retrieving the time capsule.

Mr Baxter said, “George has already scanned the building with his expert eye and has suggested a couple of likely locations—but without the aid of rather expensive X-ray equipment he is understandably reluctant to specify any exact spot.”

Mr Sweeney—a member of the Scottish Society for Conservation and Restoration— said, “There are a few clues there already but with extensions and alterations to the building in the interim years there is sufficient cause for concern that the fabric of the school could be disturbed unnecessarily, which is why any assistance to pinpoint the spot exactly is all the more important.”

Mr Baxter said, “We do believe that someone, somewhere will have a record of where the capsule will be.

“We would dearly love to be able to retrieve it for the centenary of the school opening which took place on September 21, 1908.”

Anyone who can assist in the school’s search is asked to contact Ian Baxter at Viewforth on 01592 583408.