Auld Grey Town

Dunfermline, the "auld grey town", formerly the capital of Scotland, figures largely in Scottish history mainly in association with its great abbey and royal palace. From earliest times it was a thriving industrial centre with coal mining and later linen weaving; the tradition is maintained today with a variety of new industries.

Margarett and Malcolm
In the 11th Century Malcolm III or Canmore (c 1031-93) offered hospitality in his Dunfermline Tower to the English heir to the throne. Edgar Atheling and his family, on their flight from William the Conqueror and the Norman Conquest (1066). Edgar's sister Princess Margaret (c 1045-93). a devout Catholic, married the Scottish king in 1070 and was largely responsible for introducing the religious ideas of the Roman Catholic church which were gradually to supplant the Celtic church. Together with her husband, she founded the church in 1072. Three of Queen Margaret's sons ascended the throne: Edgar, Alexander I and David I; it was Alexander who proclaimed the town a royal burgh between 1124 and 1127 and David I (c 1084-1153) who founded the Benedictine abbey. The town prospered as the abbey grew in importance. Following the untimely deaths of Alexander 111 and Margaret of Norway, Edward I, during his tour as mediator in the struggle for succession, visited the town and on his departure in 1304, the monastic buildings were a smouldering ruin. RoberttheBruce (1274-1329), the great national hero, helped with the reconstruction and is buried in the abbey. His heart is in Melrose Abbey.

Royal Palace

The guest house was refurbished for James V's French wife but it was James VI who gave the abbey and palace to his Queen, Anne of Denmark. Once more Dunfermline was the home of royalty and three royal children were born here: Elizabeth, known as the Winter Queen, the ill-fated Charles I and Robert who died in infancy. With the Union of the Crowns (1603). the court departed to London. James VI subsequently made two fleeting visits to the town as did Charles I in 1633, and his 20-year-old son. Charles II to sign the Dunfermline Declaration.

Famous citizens
Although not a native of Dunfermline. one of the greatest 15C poets (makars). Robert Henryson (1430-1506), came here to reside in his capacity as schoolmaster. Dunfermline, with its influential abbey and royal residence, was a meeting place for great minds. In some respects his Testament of Cresseid shows a strong Chaucerian influence while his humorous version of Aesop's Fables and Robin and Makyne herald Burns.

The philanthropist and steel baron, Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919). was born in Dunfermline the son of a hand loom weaver. In 1848 the family emigrated to America and young Andrew passed from bobbin boy and telegraphic messenger to working in the railroads before dealing in iron and then the new steel industry. By 1881 he was the foremost steel baron in the USA and in 1901. following the sale of his steel companies, he retired and set about spending his fortune in public benefactions. His many gifts to his home town included the Carnegie Baths, the Library, the Lauder Technical School and Pittencrieff Park.

Return To Even More Scottish Anecdotes