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The present day Dunfermline is a vibrant retail, commercial and industrial centre. The Heritage of Dunfermline is very long and proud and goes back many years.
Dunfermline's proud history goes back to at least (1010) at least eight Kings, four Queens, five Princes, and two Princesses are claimed to be buried there.

If you get the opportunity visit St. Margaret's Cave not far from City Hall, Princess Margaret when she was Queen spent much of her time in devotion and helping the poor, it is said that much of the devotional time was spent in this cave.

Queen Margaret established in Dunfermline a Benedictine monastery. This Abbey because of the association with Queen Margaret was very influencial and rich.
Queen Margaret was made a Saint in (1249). Dunfermline became a very popular place for pilgrimages back then.
Queen Margaret was buried in Dunfermline, so other Royal members of the household also wished their last resting place to be Dunfermline where many of that day's monarchs were laid to rest.

History denotes that the most popular of the monarchs was Robert I.
Back in the year (1818) when clearing the foundation for a new Kirk led to the discovery of Bruce's tomb, excitement of the discovery led to plans to alter the building structure of the new Kirk, to incorporate the words ... KING ROBERT THE BRUCE to be carved around the parapet.

Take a moment to gaze skyward at the parapet, the tradesmen of that time knew their job well, so King Robert the Bruce enjoys his name carved in stone for all to see, a fitting tribute for such a knight.
After the construction was completed the Kirk became part of the structure of the medieval monastery.
The new Dunfermline Abbey Church was completed in (1821).

Close to Dunfermline Abbey is the remains of the monastic guest house, back in the middle ages, Kings and Queens frequently stayed there.
Dunfermline back then became a place where Royal Authority ruled.

In the 16th century the monastic guest house was converted into a Royal Palace, the ruins of which are to be seen to this day.
This Palace was the home of Anne of Denmark, the bride of King James VI.
Their second son, Prince Charles I was born in Dunfermline, and was the last Royal to be born there.

Medieval structures abound in Fife and Dunfermline in particular, one of these which still survives is Abbot's House.
This particular structure has a new lease on life as Dunfermline Heritage Centre.

Drop in and visit and have a cup of tea, you will find the visit well worth while, many of the volunteers working there would enjoy your visit, so drop in and stay a wee while.

By the mid 18th century Dunfermline was noted for it's textiles, silk table cloths and all kinds of textiles were manufactured.
Back in (1772) the town was rapidly expanding, there were estimates that one thousand handlooms were at work in and around Dunfermline.

The demand for coal and locally produced textiles encouraged rapid expansion of the area.
By the mid (1800) Dunfermline manufacturers were employing over three thousand hand loom weavers, Dunfermline was on it's way to prosperity.
The population of the town by (1841) reached the Thirteen Thousand mark.

But that year saw the city suffering a decline in employment, many of the specialized individuals had to seek employment elsewhere.

One such victim of this decline in employment, by the name of William Carnegie sold out his meager possessions and headed for America.

The young son of this unemployed weaver, became a rags to riches story, he became the richest man in the world.
This story is one I am sure you would love to read, you can see Andrew Carnegie's birthplace on Moodie Street in Dunfermline, where it has been turned into the Carnegie Museum.

Please visit it is so very interesting for young and old, it has also become part of the Heritage of America, where this young Scot made his fortune, as well as the Heritage of Dunfermline to which he gave much of his wealth.
Dunfermline has much to be thankful for Andrew Carnegie as a benefactor, he bestowed on the City, Pittencrieff Estate which most of us refer to as Dunfermline Glen.
Andrew Carnegie also donated the Carnegie Library, Carnagie Hall Theatre, and the Carnegie Baths, in which many of our Dunfermline young residents learned the gentle art of swimming.
Many other public buildings were donated to the City and maintained under the auspices of the Dunfermline Carnegie Trust.
Yes, we have much to be thankful for as we walk around Dunfermline Auld Toon.