Visit Dunfermline

Once Scotland’s ancient capital, Dunfermline became Scotland’s newest city as part of HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Visit Dunfermline and you’ll find a wonderful vibe from the new and the old, with historic buildings and gardens, a museum and library and flourishing arts, culture and sports scene.

In the Heritage Quarter, you'll find the royal palace and adjacent to it, the 12th-century abbey which is the final resting place of the celebrated Robert the Bruce. There’s also the beautifully restored 15th-century Abbot House (known by locals as the ‘pink hoose’) with it's beautiful walled garden, and the cave where St Margaret is said to have washed the feet of the poor. 

The influence of famous philanthropist Andrew Carnegie is everywhere and it’s fascinating to see his continuing impact on the city. Pittencrieff Park, gifted by Carnegie, offers children’s play areas and woodland walks through 76 acres of greenery. Look out for the peacocks who've made the park their home!

The Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Museum explores the history of the area through the six themes of industry, leisure and recreation, transport, conflict, homes and royal Dunfermline while the Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum shows the humble beginnings of this great benefactor. The Dunfermline Carnegie Library was his first library project.

Engines are big here, with the charming Scottish Vintage Bus Museum, Lathalmond Railway Museum (Dunfermline and West Fife's very own Heritage Railway project), and Knockhill Racing Circuit, Scotland’s National Motorsport Centre. This is a place where you can enjoy a gentle ride on a narrow-gauge railway, a thrilling spin around the racetrack in a supercar, or a kart race with the kids.

And Dunfermline lives up to its city status with a thriving café culture, plenty of live music venues, art galleries, occasional festivals, and two theatres. The social enterprise The Fire Station offers great food and drinks, free exhibitions, and regular open studio days.

Dunfermline is also a great place from which to explore the wider Fife area. The ancestral home of Scottish monarchs, the small Kingdom of Fife is world-famous for its golf and some stunning scenic attractions.