Great Edinburgh Daytrips: Dunfermline

Today I’d like to highlight another awesome daytrip opportunity if you find yourself at a loose end in Edinburgh and curious to explore further afield for the day.   Dunfermline is a city in the Kingdom of Fife, just to the north of Edinburgh across the Firth of Forth.  The city is one of the ancient capitals of Scotland, before Edinburgh became the formal capital that it is today.

A Long History

The earliest record of a settlement in this area was 570 AD, but it wasn’t until King Malcolm III married Queen Margaret that Dunfermline was firmly put on the map, as the king chose the site to build a Royal Palace.  But it was the Benedictine Priory who lived in the abbey that carried on the legacy through the next century; the city’s name was originally Dunfermelitane, and remained that way until it became Dunfermline in 1609.

Several Scottish kings granted the city royal status, but despite the six defensive gates that were built around the city, but when James II was brutally murdered in 1436.  The Royals of the day decided that Edinburgh provided a safer place to call home.

Famous Names

One of the most famous men of the late 18th and early 19th century, Andrew Carnegie, was born in Dunfermline.  His family was a poor weaver’s family, similar most families in the area; the decision to emigrate to America was a particularly auspicious one, as it was this move that led Carnegie eventually to launch his steel business, which brought him his immense fortunes.

Despite Carnegie’s donations of philanthropy to cities all across America, he held a special place for Dunfermline.  It was here that he put the first of his incredible network of Carnegie Libraries.  He build a music hall, public baths, and bought lands for public parks.

Things To Do

There are plenty of things to see and do in Dunfermline, including:

• Dunfermline Abbey (map): this abbey is mostly ruins, but it’s remarkable that anything exists given that it was built in the 11th century.  Robert the Bruce is buried here.
• Carnegie Hall & Carnegie Library (map):  You’ve no doubt heard about or seen a Carnegie Library in your lifetime, but here you can visit the original.  And yes, this Carnegie Hall was built with a similar ethos to the well known one in New York City.
• Pittencrieff  Park (map): Another legacy of Andrew Carnegie, this park is a joy on a sunny day.

There are also a few lovely villages and towns nearby, such as Aberdour (map) and Culross (map).

Getting There

Dunfermline is a quick drive across the Firth of Forth.  You can also take a train from Edinburgh Waverley or Haymarket; departures are frequent and the journey is less than an hour.  Visit the FirstScotRail website for travel times.

Photos by Berto Garcia