Dunfermline

Dunfermline (Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Phàrlain, Scots: Dunfaurlin) is a historic town in the Kingdom of Fife, Scotland. It is the ancient capital of Scotland, and the birthplace of philanthropist Andrew Carnegie - at one time the richest man in the world. Dunfermline Abbey is the burial place of Robert The Bruce, while Pittencrieff Park (known locally as The Glen) is one of the most attractive parks in Scotland .

Dunfermline Abbey from Pittencrieff Park

Get in

By plane

Edinburgh Airport has good flight connections across Europe and UK and within Scotland. A direct bus runs from airport stop G across the old Forth Road Bridge to Inverkeithing (for the train) and Halbeath (for the local bus). This is the Stagecoach Jet 747 which takes 30 min and costs £7.50 single and £14 for a return within 28 days. It runs daily 24 hours, every 20 mins daytime.

By train

Dunfermline has two railway stations: 🌍 Dunfermline Town is in town centre and 🌍 Dunfermline Queen Margaret is northeast, near Queen Margaret Hospital. From Edinburgh take the Fife Loop Train to Inverkeithing and Dunfermline, running every 30 mins. This continues clockwise inland to Glenrothes with Thornton, returns to the coast at Kirkcaldy then loops back to Inverkeithing and Edinburgh. Don't be on the anti-clockwise train, which follows the coast from Inverkeithing to Kirkcaldy before looping back via Glenrothes with Thornton to Dunfermline.

By car

Dunfermline is located near the M90 motorway which runs from the Forth Road Bridge to Perth. Access to the south and centre is via M90 junction 2, and the west is accessed from via junction 3.

By bus

There are frequent bus services to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Perth, and surrounding towns. The Bus Station has been temporarily relocated to the East Port whilst renovation work goes on, including the demolition of the old bus station to allow for the building of a Kingsgate extension.

Get around

• Dunfermline's town centre is fairly well equipped with amenities for the 21st century shopper. Most sites are within walking distance and a bus station is provided for journeys to surrounding areas.

See

• 🌍 Dunfermline Abbey, KY12 7PD (located at the West of the town centre). Open daily 9.30 to 5.30 Mid March to End Sept, rest of the year it is closed on Fri and closes at 4.30. The Abbey dates back to the 11th century, and is mainly ruined, but with a surviving impessive nave. Admission £3.70. Adjoining church is open free in summer.  
• 🌍 Carnegie Library. Mon, Thu 10:00 - 19:00, Tue, Fri 10:00 - 17:00, Wed 10:00 - 14:00, Sat 10:00 - 16:00, Sun 12:00 - 16:00. The world's first Carnegie Library (updated Apr 2017)
• 🌍 The original Carnegie Hall, East Port, KY12 7JA, ☎ [phone]. 540-seat theatre named after Andrew Carnegie, who was born in Dunfermline. 
• 🌍 The Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum, Moodie Street, KY12 7PL, ☎ [phone]. 

Do

• 🌍 Pittencrieff Park. Take a stroll around this park which was purchased by Andrew Carnegie and donated to the people of the town. There are signed walks of various lengths. The park contains a small museum, gardens and hothouses. In the north eastern section of the park is the remains of King Malcolm's tower. This tower appears on the town crest and dates back to around 1000 AD. Snack vendors in the park also sell bags of nuts with which to feed the squirrels.  
• 🌍 Adventure Golf Island, Fife Leisure Park, Whimbrel Place, KY11 8EX, ☎ [phone]. Sun- Thurs 10AM-10PM Fri-Sat 10AM-11PM. Florida style adventure golf, featuring two 18 hole courses; Treasure Island and Pirates Cove. Floodlit at night. Located on the Eastern edge of town. 
• The kingdom of Fife Millennium cycle path. 

Buy

Eat

If you are just stopping off as part of a longer journey there are several restaurants and fast food places at the Fife Leisure Park. (Exit the M90 at junction 3 and take the Duloch Park exit on the roundabout at the top of the slip road). If you are staying in Dunfermline, there are a number of good local restaurants.

• Frankie and Benny's, Whimbrel Place, Fife Leisure Place, KY11 8EX, ☎ [phone]. (updated May 2016)
• Brewer's Fayre, Crooked Glen, Fife Leisure Park, Whimbrel Place, KY11 8EX, ☎ [phone]. (updated May 2016)
• Pizza Hut, Fife Leisure Park, Halbeath, KY11 8EX. (updated May 2016)
• Dalgety Bay. Thoroughly recommended. 
• The Hideaway (North-east of the town centre on the road to Kingseat). 
• The Abbot House. is a very good cafe between the Abbey and the library, with good views of the Abbey from the terrace - traditional home made cooking. 
• 🌍 The Carnock Inn, 8 Main St, Carnock (4 miles west of Dunfermline), ☎ [phone]. food Mon - Sat 12:00pm- 9.00pm, Sun 12:00pm- 8.00pm. mains from £10. 
• The Bengal Tiger, Pittencrieff Street (near to the park). Indian Restaurant, offers excellent food, and has special half price offers every Sunday to Friday night inclusive. 

Drink

• Gratzi, Carnegie Drive. Tasty Spanish and Italian. 

Sleep

• Elgin Hotel, The Green, Charlestown, KY11 3EE, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Located outskirts of Dunfermline. 
• Pitbauchlie House Hotel, Aberdour Road, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Located near the center of town. 
• King Malcolm Hotel, Queensferry Road, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. Situated in the south of the town near the Pitrievie business park. 
• Express By Holiday Inn Dunfermline, Halbeath Road, Halbeath, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. Located to the east of the town. 
• Premier Inn Dunfermline, 4-12 Whimbrel Place, Fife Leisure Park, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. Located to the east of the town. £50-55. 
• Travel Lodge Dunfermline, Halbeath Junction, Halbeath, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. Located to the east of the town. 
• Boreland Lodge Hotel, 31/33 Boreland Road, Inverkeithing, KY11 1DA. A warm and inviting family-run hotel in Inverkeithing. Best rates on official website start at £45. (updated Sep 2017)
• Best Western Plus Keavil House Hotel, Crossford, KY12 8QW, ☎ [phone]. Situated to the west of the town in the village of Crossford. A 72 bedroom 4 star country house hotel in its own grouds. Cardoon Restaurant, Weddings & Events and the extensive Picture of Health Club & Spa. 

Go next

• Aberdour - Described as "The Jewel of Fife", Aberdour is a historic and stunningly attractive coastal village. Aberdour Castle is a must-see, as well as the Blue-Flag awarded beach the Silver Sands. There are also several pubs, restaurants, and boutique shops. 15 minutes drive East of Dunfermline, or hop on the regular train/bus services.
• Culross - Some 10 miles to the west - the village that time forgot. A quaint selection of dwellings, all restored, dating from the 17th and 18th century. Abbey, Town House, Study and Palace all worth a visit.
• Dollar - It takes about 40 minutes by car. Take the A823 in the direction of Crieff and follow the signs for Dollar en route. There are great walks around Dollar Glen and there is the partial ruin of Castle Campbell to explore.
• Falkland - A small village with historic palace, about 40 minutes drive away.
• Kirkcaldy - 15 minutes in car via the A92 dual carriageway or easily by train or bus. Excellent shopping and theatre, parks, museum and art gallery.

Routes through Dunfermline

Perth ← Kinross ←

N  S

→ North Queensferry → Edinburgh