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Dunfermline
Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Phàrlain
Scots: Dunfermline
Auld Grey Toon [1]
Dunfermline (Scotland)
Dunfermline

Dunfermline shown within Scotland
Area  7.07 sq mi (18.3 km²)
Population 45,462 (2006 estimate)
75,570 (settlement)
 - Density 1,498/sq mi (578/km²) [2]
OS grid reference NT105875
Council area Fife
Lieutenancy area Fife
Constituent country Scotland
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town DUNFERMLINE
Postcode district KY11, KY12
Dialling code 01383
Police Fife
Fire Fife
Ambulance Scottish
European Parliament Scotland
UK Parliament Dunfermline and West Fife
Scottish Parliament Dunfermline West
Mid Scotland and Fife
List of places: UK • Scotland

Coordinates: 56°04′19″N 3°26′21″W / 56.07192, -3.4393

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Dunfermline (Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Phàrlain) is a town and former Royal Burgh in Fife. It sits on high ground three miles from the northern shore of the Firth of Forth, northwest of Edinburgh, and was an ancient capital of Scotland.[3][4]

At the centre of Dunfermline is an historic abbey which is now a parish church situated beside the ruins of its former monastic buildings and the Royal Palace of Dunfermline. It is the burial place for a number of Scotland's monarchs, including Malcolm III, Saint Margaret and Robert I. [4] The poet Robert Henryson, one of Scotland's most important literary figures, was also associated with the abbey. Dunfermline's most famous son in modern times was the wealthy industrialist, businessman, and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.

Traditional industries in the Dunfermline catchment area principally involved textiles, engineering, defence and electronics. Today this has increasingly diversified into the service sector, including tourism.[5]

The Dunfermline conurbation, including the towns of Rosyth and Inverkeithing has a population of around 66,000. In 2006 the population estimate for Dunfermline was approximately 45,000. [6]

Contents

History

Main articles: History of Dunfermline, Dunfermline Abbey, and Dunfermline Palace
Pittencrieff Park, known locally as The Glen.
Pittencrieff Park, known locally as The Glen.

The earliest record of Dunfermline was as a centre for the Culdee faith in the early 9th century and it derives it's name from the hill on which this community built their church. The name is a composite of the Celtic terms Dun (fortified hill), fiaram (bent or crooked) and lin (pool or waterfall). This translates as the hill by the winding stream[7][8][9] and corresponds with the landscape around the tower hill in Pittencrieff Park today where the stream crooks and drops down the 15 foot cascade of the Ferm burn. [7] The name Dunfermline was officially adopted in 1609 but references had been made previously in the seals and badges of the royal coat of arms. [7]

Documented history for Dunfermline begins with King Malcolm III in the mid-11th century. He relocated the seat of power of Kings of Scots to the town from its previous centre at Forteviot in Perthshire. [10] When, in 1069, Malcolm III took the Saxon princess, Margaret as his second wife, his new queen's devout catholic faith was to have a profound effect on the town. [11][12][13] Queen Margaret encouraged Malcolm III to convert the small Culdee church into a Benedictine priory, this was to prove a major factor in the romanisation of the church in Scotland. [14] The new church was inaugurated around 1072 with Lanfranc, then-Archbishop of Canterbury sending Benedictine monks on the insistence of Margaret who not only dedicated the priory to the holy trinity. Another dedication to the priory was also made to the "crucifix of the holy saviour" made of ebony, gold and silver and covered in gems from her own homeland. [10] After her death in Edinburgh Castle on 10th November 1093 [10][11] her body was taken back to Dunfermline for her burial [10] on a site near the Rwde Awtre (the Altar of the Holy Cross or Rood) via the Queen's Ferry but this was journey was made with great difficulty particularly when the castle was under siege by Donald Bane with the only exit in the from of a secret door in the abbey church. [9]

Dunfermline Abbey
Dunfermline Abbey

The Benedictine priory - for which she had started - was raised to the rank of an abbey in 1128 by her son, David I of Scotland, with Priory Geoffrey in place as the first abbot. [10][11] During the course of several decades, the abbey gained power and wealth in Dunfermline with the dedication of 26 altars being gifted by the individuals and guilds; at the peak of the abbey's power, it controlled areas of land from Moray in the north all the way to Berwickshire close to the English border, including four burghs and three courts of regality. [10]

Dunfermline would remain the de facto capital of Scotland until the brutal murder of James II at Perth, Scotland [10] in 1436. The royal family felt safer in Edinburgh Castle, as burghs such as Dunfermline and Stirling could not provide protection in defense of the nobles. [15]

Relocation of the Scottish courts to London after the 1603 Union of the Crowns saw the loss of the town's royal connections. [11][12] A subsequent fire in 1624 [16] left a large part of the town in ruin [12] , as a result of this and with the reformation depriving the town of its ecclesiastical importance, Dunfermline quickly declined. [10]

In the 18th century, the town impressed Daniel Defoe as showing the "full perfection of decay" [12] but soon regained prosperity with the introduction, in 1718 by James Blake[10][17], of the weaving of fine damask linen [17] - a commodity of which the town would eventually become the world's leading producer [11]. Dunfermline became one of four main centres of the industry alongside Kirkcaldy, Dysart and Leslie in 1810. [17] In a report in the Ordnance Gazette in 1894, it was stated: "The damask manufacture of Dunfermline is probably unequalled in the world for design and beauty of finish". [17]

Among other industries that have contributed to the economic life of the town were dyeing, bleaching; soap (from 1790s); rope-making (from 1830s); iron founding; textile milling; distillery and brewing. [17][11]

Governance

The city and burgh of Dunfermline once had a town council in operation until 1975. Under the new acts, Dunfermline District Council was established to cater not only for the city but also surrounding areas from Kincardine to Aberdour. More recently, this was replaced by a single-tier authority - Fife Council which was now based in Glenrothes despite some areas like planning issues still in control locally. [18]

Local Government

Dunfermline's City Chambers
Dunfermline's City Chambers

Among the more modern listed buildings is Dunfermline City Chambers, constructed in a blend of French, Gothic and Scots baronial styles by James C Walker between 1879 and 1881[19][20][10] The City Chambers were designed to be the centre for local government in the area and still house the Burgh Court and the City Chambers.[21][22]

Areas of Dunfermline

  • Abbey Parks
  • Abbeyview
  • Baldridge
  • Bellyeoman
  • Broomhead
  • Brucefield
  • City Centre
  • Duloch
  • Garvock
  • Halbeath
  • Headwell
  • Kingseathill
  • Linburn
  • Masterton
  • Milesmark (sometimes considered separate village)
  • Nethertown
  • Parkneuk
  • Pitcorthie
  • Pittencrieff
  • St Leonards
  • Touch
  • Townhill
  • Wellwood (sometimes considered separate village)

Town Centre

The centre of Dunfermline is a conservation area with a diverse mix of historic buildings and architecture. The historic abbey and the ruins of the Royal Palace of Dunfermline lie to the southwest of the town centre. This area also contains a good example of one of Dunfermline's medieval ports, or yetts. To the north of the abbey, the 15th century Abbots House is one of Dunfermline's oldest properties in use and currently houses a heritage centre. [23]

Dunfermline town centre has a prominant skyline which can be seen from surrounding towns and villages. Many of the prominant buildings on the skyline are historic churches of Kirks including St Leonard's Parish Church (1902-4), adjacent to the town centre railway station, which features an imitation Pictish tower. The United Free church in Queen Anne Street founded by Ralph Erskine, and the Gillespie church, named after Thomas Gillespie (1708—1774) are of notable since both Erskine and Gillespie were important figures in the Secession movement. Erskine is commemorated by a statue in front of his church and a sarcophagus over his grave in the abbey churchyard; Gillespie by a marble tablet on the wall above his resting-place within the abbey.

Dunfermline High Street looking west
Dunfermline High Street looking west

Dunfermline is also popular shopping centre and records some of the highest footfalls in Fife [24][25][26]. The main shopping thoroughfare is located along a traditional, pedestrianised High Street that includes a newly extended shopping mall, the Kingsgate Centre. Improvement works are currently being undertaken to enhance the public realm and historic streetscape.[27]

Public facilities in and around the centre include the Carnegie Theatre, the Carnegie Library, the Carnegie Sports Centre and the Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum. Dunfermline police station, sheriff court and fire station are located at various points on Carnegie Drive to the north of the town centre. Other important structures are the County buildings, St Margaret's Catholic church, the Music Institute, the Carnegie hall, the Carnegie public baths, the high school (founded in 1560) and the school of science and art.

Sport and Recreation

  • Dunfermline Cricket Club are based at McKane Park. They run teams at various levels and the First XI will play in division 1 of Scotland's national league in 2009 having won promotion in 2008; information about the club is available at dunfermlinecricketclub.co.uk. Other notable clubs in the area include Dunfermline Carnegie and Townhill.
  • Dunfermline Rugby Football Club are also based at McKane Park. The club has various teams, from the First XV which plays in Scotland's Premier 3 League, through to a Mini Section for primary school children.
  • In athletics, Linsey Macdonald was a member of the bronze medal winning women's 400m relay team at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. She was also a finalist in the individual 400m. Her old club Pitreavie AAC is still an active club with international competitors in track and field, cross country and road running.
  • Dunfermline City Half Marathon is one of several summer long distance races which attracts an international field.
  • Dunfermline Tennis & Bridge Club is located on Bothwell Street and has teams that regularly compete in inter-club competitions. The club also offers coaching for all ages and abilities.

Culture

Music: Dunfermline has always had a folk music tradition. Local groups include the Dunfermline Folk Club, Dunfermline Abbey Choir and Dunfermline district pipe band. Live Music Venues, also have had a strong prominence in Dunfermline with the likes of Montys and PJ Molloys. Many night clubs are also present such as Harlem, Johnson's, Life and Lorenzo's (Formerly Urban). 'Velocity' / 'Kinema Live' serves as both a nightclub and music venue (previously known as The Kinema Ballroom, Night Magic, Hollywood Boulevard & The Ballroom) and are mainly concentrated around the town centre. [29] Many bands to come out of Dunfermline in terms of popular music. Details are to be found here [30]

Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall

Theatre: Dunfermline is fortunate to have been bequeathed with two theatres, the Carnegie Hall Theatre and the Alhambra.

  • Carnegie Hall is a 540-seat theatre complete with a music institute and a restaurant. The theatre was gifted to Dunfermline by philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie. [31]
  • The Alhambra Theatre was founded in 1922, operating for many years in the town, until the site was sold to a bingo club in 1965. The theatre is one of the most impressive in Fife holding at least 1000 seats, with much of the original building work intact and will be a benefit in the town centre with the on-going regeneration project. The theatre is due to re-open, by late 2009. The Alhambra campaign, "Alhambra Alive", was launched in the theatre in late winter 2007. [32][33]

Museums: Dunfermline has three museums located in and adjacent to the town's centre. The Carnegie Birth Place Museum is located at the southern gateway to the town centre. It contains artefacts relating to Dunfermline's most famous son, philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. The Abbotts House Heritage Centre is located in the historic core of the town centre on Maygate. It contains exhibits relating to Dunfermline and its place in history. The Pittencrieff House Museum is located in Pittencrieff Park adjacent to the town centre. It contains exhibits and artefacts relating to the history and formation of the Park over 350 million years.

Education

Dunfermline is home to four secondary schools, several primary schools, two schools for learning difficulties and a college. Intially, Dunfermline High School served as the main school in the city until the introduction of the comprehensive system. Around this period also saw a new Catholic secondary to serve West Fife. There were also many new primary schools such as Bachlaw, Pitchorie, Linburn and Touch built between 1958 and 1970 to serve the new housing developments because of the poor access and locations of many of the already existing ones. [34]

Carnegie College, originally known as Lauder College is the only college in the city which is a partner and has links with Dunfermline Business Centre. [34]

Primary Schools

  • Bellyeoman Primary School - serving Bellyeoman and part of the Kingseathill area.
  • Canmore Primary School - serving the north of Pitcorthie
  • Commercial Primary School - serving Woodmill and part of the Garvock area.
  • Duloch Primary School - serving the northern half of the Eastern Expansion.
  • Lynburn Primary School - serving the Abbeyview area.
  • Masterton Primary School - serving the southern half of the Eastern Expansion.
  • McLean Primary School - serving Baldridge and part of the Broomhead area.
  • Milesmark Primary School - serving the Milesmark and Parkneuk areas.
  • Pitcorthie Primary School - serving Blacklaw and the south of Abbeyview.
  • Pitreavie Primary School - serving the south of Pitcorthie.
  • St Leonards Primary School - serving the Brucefield and St Leonards areas.
  • St Margaret's Primary School - serving Catholic children across Dunfermline.
  • Touch Primary School - serving Touch and part of the Garvock area.
  • Townhill Primary School - serving Headwell and Townhill as well as part of the Kingseathill area.
  • Wellwood Primary School - serving Wellwood and part of the Broomhead area.

High Schools

  • Dunfermline High School - serving the centre and south of the town, as well as Kincardine and part of Rosyth.
  • Queen Anne High School - serving the north of the town, as well as villages across West Fife.
  • St Columba's High School - serving Catholic children across West Fife, from Kincardine in the west to Cowdenbeath in the east.
  • Woodmill High School - serving the east of the town, as well as North Queensferry.

Notable people

  • Andrew Carnegie, (1835-1919), is the most celebrated of all Dunfermline's sons, as he is certainly Dunfermline's greatest benefactor. He gave to his birthplace the free library and public baths, and, in 1903, the estate of Pittencrieff Park and Glen, rich in historical associations as well as natural charm, together with bonds yielding £25,000 a year, in trust for the maintenance of the park, the support of a theatre for the production of plays of the highest merit, the periodical exhibitions of works of art and science, the promotion of horticulture among the working classes and the encouragement of technical education in the district. So while New York's Carnegie Hall is much better known, Dunfermline has its own.
  • Robert Henryson (c.1430-c.1500), one of Scotland's major poets, was connected with the abbey and probably ran the grammar school that served its abbatial Burgh. He wrote in a period when the town was one of the key cultural centres in Scotland. His poetry, which is subtle, vivid and multi-layered, often conveys a strong impression of the life and landscape that would have been found in and around Dunfermline at the time. It is also a rich record of the Scots as it was then spoken. It is likely, though not certain, that he was native to The Kingdom of Fife and has been tentatively associated with Clan Henderson of Fordell.
  • Sir Joseph Noel Paton (1821-1901), painter and poet, and whose father was a designer of patterns for the damask trade
  • Ewan Cameron, (1971 to present), co-founder of The Estantia Group of companies, which include Cameron Harris Design & Build link title, Estantia Limited & CHC Learning Limited link title. The company is the main sponsor for local football club Rosyth FC link title. The original company in the group Cameron Harris has created over 1/4 million square foot of business space in the West Fife Area within eight years creating many jobs for locals.

Notable residents include:

  • David Ferguson (ca. 1533-1598), parish minister who made the first collection of Scottish proverbs (not published until 1641),
  • John Row (1568-1646), church historian
  • Derek Gibbons (20th century), British Television presenter from Queen Anne High school.

Transport

Dunfermline has transport connections. See Transport connections in Dunfermline.

Twin cities and towns

External links

Notes

  1. ^ Tours of Scotland, Nicknames of Scottish Towns and Cities[1] Retrieved on 19 August 2008
  2. ^ "Demographic info on Dunfermline, NHS Fife". Retrieved on 6 August 2008
  3. ^ Dunfermline.info Retrieved 7th September 2008
  4. ^ a b McEwan Bert Dunfermline The Post War Years 2004, p.9.
  5. ^ Fife Council (2006) Dunfermline Economic profile [2]
  6. ^ Fife Council (2008) Population Estimates for Towns and Villages in Fife [3]
  7. ^ a b c Durie, A Century of Dunfermline 2002, p.11.
  8. ^ Lamont-Brown Fife in History and Legend 2002 p.178.
  9. ^ a b Durie, A Century of Dunfermline 2002, p.13.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Lamont-Brown, Raymond (2002). Fife in History and Legend. John Donald Publishing, Pages 178-80, 82 & 86. ISBN 0859765679. 
  11. ^ a b c d e f Hendrie, William F. (2002). Old Dunfermline. Stenlake Publishing, Pages 3, 32, 36 & 40-42. ISBN 1840331941. 
  12. ^ a b c d Pride, Glen L. (1999). The Kingdom of Fife, 2nd edition. The Rutland Press, Pages 8-10. ISBN 1873190492. 
  13. ^ Civic Society, "Kirkcaldy: A History and Celebration", 2005, p.12
  14. ^ Civic Society, "Kirkcaldy: A History and Celebration", 2005, p.12
  15. ^ Durie A Century of Dunfermline 2002, p.16.
  16. ^ Durie A Century of Dunfermline 2002, p.17.
  17. ^ a b c d e (2000) The Fife Book. Birlinn Publishing Ltd, Pages 128, 132-33, 182 & 189-90. ISBN 1841582743. 
  18. ^ McEwan Bert Dunfermline The Post-War Years 2004, p.16.
  19. ^ http://dunfermlineguide.co.uk/famousdunfermline.aspx History of the City of Dunfermline
  20. ^ McEwan, Bert. Dunfermline, Our Heritage, 1998.
  21. ^ Dunfermline City Chambers
  22. ^ Area headquarters and Burgh Court
  23. ^ McEwan Bert Dunfermline Post War Years 2004, p.13.
  24. ^ Fife Council (2006) Dunfermline Town Centre Fact Sheet [4]
  25. ^ Fife Council (2006) Fife Town Centres Audit [5]
  26. ^ Fife Council (2006) Town Centre Footfall report [6]
  27. ^ BBC news article Dunfermline to get £100m revamp. [7]
  28. ^ City of Dunfermline AFC
  29. ^ "nightlife, Dunfermline guide". Retrieved on 27 July 2008
  30. ^ "Dunfermline Music Profile, kinemagigz". Retrieved on 27 July 2008
  31. ^ "Carnegie Hall profile, artfife". Retrieved on 27 July 2008
  32. ^ "Alhamba Theatre profile, britishtheatreguide". Retrieved on 27 July 2008
  33. ^ "Alhamba Theatre news, BBC News Scotland Edinburgh and East". Retrieved on 27 July 2008
  34. ^ a b McEwan Bert Dunfermline The Post War Years 2004, p.40/41.

References

| last = Durie
| first = Bruce
| title = A Century of Dunfermline
| publisher = WHSmith
| year = 2002
| isbn = 075093137X
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