Dunfermline is a city, parish, and former Royal Burgh in Fife, Scotland.
The city is an important shopping and service centre for West Fife. Situated about three miles from the northern shore of Firth of Forth, Dunfirmline's population is about 55,000.
Human settlement of the area began in the Neolithic period, growing in the Bronze Age, although the first recorded mention of the settlement was in the 11th century when Malcolm III of Scotland and Saint Margaret were married at Dunfermline. In her position as Queen Consort, Margaret established a church at Dunfermline dedicated to the Holy Trinity, which became Dunfermline Abbey under their son David I in 1128, and a royal mausoleum for the Scottish Crown.
Dunfermline was the de facto capital of Scotland between the 11th and 15th centuries. Eighteen royals, including seven kings, were buried at Dunfermline between 1093 and 1420, including Robert the Bruce in 1329.
Although the second son of King James VI of Scotland and Anne of Denmark, Prince Charles (Charles I) was born in Dunfermline Palace in 1600, the ascension of James VI of Scotland to the throne of the Kingdom of England as James I, known as the Union of the Crowns, ended Dunfermline's royal connections with James VI, as the Scottish Court was relocated to London in 1603.
Additionally, the Scottish Reformation brought a loss of ecclesiastical importance to Dunfermline. In 1624, a fire burned about three-fourths of the burgh, although the palace, the abbey, and the Abbot's House survived.
Dunfermline was in decline until the linen industry was introduced in the early 1700s. Dunfermline had enough water to power the mills, and nearby ports to import raw materials and to export finished products. Through an act of industrial espionage, James Blake was able to steal the formula for producing damask linen from a factory in Edinburgh, which he used to establish a damask linen factory in Dunfermline. Others soon followed, the largest of which was St. Leonard's Mill, established by Erskine Beveridge in 1851. In the mid-1800s, power loom weaving began to replace linen damask. However, it declined sharply following World War I.
A post-war housing boom began in the late 1940s, when prefabricated and Swedish timber homes were constructed in the Kingseat and Townhill areas. In contrast, council housing was focused in the area near Abbeyview, and additional private housing was erected to the north of Garvock Hill and on the site of West Pitcorthie Farm.
Significant expansion of the city began in 1999, particularly to the east, which has shifted Dunfermline's population centre toward its boundary with the M-90 road corridor.
Today, Dunfermline is the main centre for the West Fife area, and somewhat of a residential community for nearby Edinburgh. Dunfermline is the main shopping centre for the western portion of Fife, and the region's second-largest town centre by floorspace.
Although much of Dunfermline's architecture is contemporary, it is not without historical landmarks and notable buildings.
Built between 1128 and 1150, Dunfermline Abbey is a great example of Scoto-Norman monastic architecture. Although it replaced an earlier Benedictine chapel that was largely destroyed in 1303, parts of the original structures remain.
North of the Abbey is the Abbot House, the oldest remaining secular building in the city. Built in the mid-1400s as a residence for Abbot Richard Bothwell, the structure remains.
Dunfermline Carnegie Library, built between 1881 and 1883, was the first in the world to be funded by the philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, who funded the construction of thousands of libraries worldwide. Andrew Carnegie was born in Dunfermline in 1835, and his birthplace remains.
Several other historic homes, some serving as museums today, still exist in Dunfermline.
Ian Anderson, singer and flutist of the rock band Jethro Tull. was born in Dunfermline, and grew up in nearby Edinburgh.
Topics and people associated with the city of Dunfermline, Scotland are the focus of this category. These may include local governmental facilities and programs, schools, places of worship, libraries, museums, art galleries, businesses, and recreational or sports programs and facilities, located within the city.
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Recommended Resources
Bayne Stevenson Associates, LTD
The Dunfermline, Scotland consultancy specialises in consulting services for civil and structural engineering projects, with specialist divisions including geo-environmental consultancy services. Formed as Scott Bennett Associates in 1976, the practice was rebranded in 2018. Its services, client focus, awards, and staff are highlighted, along with recent and current projects, awards, career opportunities, a map showing its office location, and contacts.
https://www.bsascotland.com/
Clarity Beauty Health & Wellbeing
Clarity House is a massage and beauty salon in Dunfermline, Scotland. Its therapists provide organic beauty and massage services, in which clients can choose from extensive treatment menus, like massage menus, facial menus, pedicure menus, and so on, all of which are delivered in comfortable, private, contemporary surroundings. Its treatments and therapists are introduced, a gift voucher may be purchased, and informational articles are included, along with its location and contacts.
https://www.clarityhouse.co.uk/
Created by Dunfermline Great Place Scheme and supported by several local businesses and organisations, the site serves as a guide and promotion for the City of Dunfermline, Scotland. The history and heritage of the city are provided, including Andrew Carnegie's legacy, royalty, and pilgrimage, with information about things to do and see in the city, lodging options, its entertainment venues, a calendar of events, travel options, and online hotel bookings.
https://dunfermline.com/
The website offers free online walking tours of several areas of Dunfermline, Scotland, the site includes street maps showing the locations of landmarks along the way, along with a running audio tour guide, descriptions, photographs, and links to websites for the featured sites. Included are St. Margaret's Journey, Historic Bruce Street, International Connections, Right Royal Toun, Pittencrieff Park, and Dunfermline's Soundtrack, which features the city's musical heritage.
https://www.dunfermline.tours/
Based in Dunfermline, Scotland, the letting company highlights rental accommodations. Through its network and marketing technologies, the company brings tenants and landlords together, covering Dunfermline, Fife, Perth, Edinburgh, and the surrounding areas in Scotland. Sales may also be available. Interested tenants or buyers may view all active listings or sort by price range, area desired, within a geographical radius, or by the number of beds desired.
https://kingdomletting.com/
An Old Inn pub has been on this site in Dunfermline, Scotland as far back as the 1600s. Originally a Coaching Inn to offer a drink, rest, and a bit to eat to traveling traders at the time, the Inn now offers a selection of ales, craft beers, burgers, and other food to local and visitors. Situated in the city centre, the Inn has two separate places for private functions. The downstairs Pool Room can hold 30, while the back lounge can accommodate 50 for meals and up to 80 for other events.
https://theoldinndunfermline.com/
Featuring more than fifty guest bedrooms, along with private rooms for smaller celebrations, and the Elgin Suite as its main function room, the facility also has bars and lounges for gins, cocktails, and coffees, including Harvey's Bistro for informal dining. The hotel is situated minutes from the M-90 motorway, five miles from the 3 Bridges, the Forth Road, and the Forth Rail Bridge. Its accommodations are highlighted, including special offers, and online bookings.
https://www.pitbauchlie.com/
Highlighting the history, architecture, and features of the city of Dunfermline, Scotland. It includes information about the historical significance of various attractions and places in the city, as well as the city's role in Scottish history, serving as a guide for those interested in visiting the city, and as an educational resource for local and global visitors. Historical information and the histories and highlights of various Dunfermline places are featured.
https://royaldunfermline.com/
Scottish Wood Sawmill and Timber Shop
Located in Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland, Scottish Wood is a social enterprise hardwood sawmill that specialises in quality Scottish hardwoods and hardwood products, as well as softwoods from local, sustainable sources in Scotland. The company offers a custom timber cut-to-order service for sawn green, air-dried timber, and kiln-dried stock. Stock items are listed on the site, and their location, hours, contacts, and shipping and return policies are stated.
https://www.scottishwood.co.uk/
