IT IS where the humble Scot who would go on to become the richest man in the world was born and where the “Outlaw King” was laid to rest.
However, beyond its links with Robert the Bruce and Andrew Carnegie it’s feared much of Dunfermline’s rich history, industrial heritage and cultural legacy have been lost in the mists of time.
Perhaps worse, in what would appear to be remarkable examples of civic indifference to their value, at least two of its most precious treasures – including a rare Neolithic standing stone – ended up almost swamped by modern development.
Now, however, the Auld Grey Toon is preparing to exploit the attention on it due to the Netflix movie of Bruce’s life, The Outlaw King, and encourage local people to act as “tour guides” by sharing stories of the figures – from royals to rockstars – and events that have shaped the town down through the centuries.
The move is part of a new three-year heritage project aimed at connecting the town’s past with the present, and ensuring its rich history and vibrant cultural heritage aids economic regeneration and delivers a string of educational, social and environmental benefits.
Dunfermline is one of nine Scottish towns to receive Heritage Lottery Great Places funding, designed to revive interest and focus attention on their historic, industrial and cultural achievements.
The initial phase of the £288,000 Dunfermline project involved a historical audit of the area and its findings have now been distributed through a range of schemes designed to spark interest among local people and to encourage them to share their knowledge of their town’s background.
The audit shone a spotlight on the life of St Margaret, the 11th-century Queen of Scots canonised for her faith and charitable works – and whose cave where she went for contemplation was almost lost to a car park.
It also highlighted witch trials as well as the town’s lesser-known built heritage, including Victorian prison cells inside its city chambers and a perfectly preserved “hidden gem” – a 1920s bathroom built in a grand townhouse for a visit from then prime minister Ramsay MacDonald, and now part of Fife Cultural Trust’s offices.
Project manager Grant Williams said: “The Outlaw King is helping to put the Robert the Bruce story on the international stage but there are many other highlights.
“No one is a better advocate for a place than the people who live here. Many already know that Dunfermline has good story to tell when it comes to history. Our job has been to collect the best stories so that it’s easier for local residents to tell their friends, family and visitors.
“As well as attracting more visitors and generating income for the local economy we hope that it builds local pride in the exceptional history of this town.”
Dunfermline was the birthplace of philanthropist and steel magnate Andrew Carnegie, who went on to establish public libraries in towns across the country. Much further back it was the burial site for Scotland’s monarchs, while its more modern cultural heritage spans folk musician Barbara Dickson, The Skids and Stuart Adamson’s Big Country.
According to consultant David Hicks, who carried out the history audit, Dunfermline has a clutch of hidden treasures that have fallen off the typical tourist and locals’ radar.
They include a Neolithic standing stone which is almost hidden by homes in the town’s 1960s Pitcorthie housing estate.
The 1.6m sandstone block – listed as a national monument – was surrounded by granite setts in the 1970s and seen as a compromise to the site. Another is St Margaret’s Cave, a deep gorge which was the scene for the Scottish queen’s private devotions and which at one point was under threat of being lost to a car park development.
“In the 1960s the local council decided it would be the perfect place to build a car park but locals made an enormous fuss,” says Hicks. “A compromise was made so the council still got the car park but built a tunnel to allow access to the caves.
“St Margaret’s Stone, which is said to have been where the queen rested after coming across the ferry from Edinburgh, now marks the entrance to a business park.”
The audit has been split into six themes to create a guide which is being distributed around the town in the hope that it will help locals and hotel, shop and restaurant staff share Dunfermline’s heritage with visitors, while a new website is being developed to tell the town’s story.
Plans include a series of cultural activities including a heritage festival.
Mr Williams added: “For tourists and visitors, there’s no more powerful recommendation than word of mouth by locals.
“As well as attracting more visitors and generating income for the local economy we hope that it builds local pride in the exceptional history of this town.”
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