143-542: Dunfermline City Chambers is a municipal facility at the corner of Bridge Street and Kirkgate in Dunfermline , Fife . The building, which serves as home to the local area committee of Fife Council , is a Category A listed building . The building was commissioned to replace the old town house in Bridge Street which had been completed in 1771. After rapid industrial growth in the local area, civic leaders decided they needed
286-476: A 15-year period. Fife Council have begun drafting plans for an expansion of a similar scale on Dunfermline's south-west, west and north sides, which will see the creation of 4,000 homes, a new high school and three new primary schools in the first phase. Today, Dunfermline is the main centre for the West Fife area, and is also considered to be a dormitory town for Edinburgh. The town has shopping facilities,
429-642: A 93,000 m (1,000,000 sq ft) fulfilment warehouse in the east of the town adjacent to the M90 motorway. This development has created over 750 jobs and is the company's largest warehouse in the UK. The Newcastle based, Shepherd Offshore Group also plan to erect a renewables hub near the Halbeath Interchange, off the M90 on a 6-hectare (15-acre) former Hyundai / Motorola 'white elephant' factory. The demolition of
572-557: A barony and some minor properties in England, and a strong claim to the Scottish throne. Bruce, like all his family, had a complete belief in his right to the throne. His ambition was further thwarted by John Comyn , who supported John Balliol. Comyn was the most powerful noble in Scotland and was related to many other powerful nobles both within Scotland and England, including relatives that held
715-634: A basketball team that competes in the Scottish Men's National League Division 1. The team reached the playoffs for the first time in 2017. Dunfermline Tennis Club plays at Bothwell Street, competing in East of Scotland and national competitions. The club's ladies team has won the Scottish Cup a record 18 times since 1988. Robert the Bruce Robert I (11 July 1274 – 7 June 1329), popularly known as Robert
858-534: A code of chivalry, Robert's chief tutor was surely a reputable, experienced knight, drawn from his grandfather's crusade retinue. This grandfather, known to contemporaries as Robert the Noble , and to history as "Bruce the Competitor", seems to have been an immense influence on the future king. Robert's later performance in war certainly underlines his skills in tactics and single combat. The family would have moved between
1001-485: A few hundred yards to the south. The stonework on the Bridge Street façade included busts of Malcolm Canmore , Queen Margaret , Robert the Bruce and Elizabeth de Burgh . Internally, the principal room was the council chamber on the first floor: it incorporated an oak hammerbeam roof . There were police cells in the basement of the building. The building was the headquarters of the royal burgh of Dunfermline until it
1144-404: A group of disaffected Scots, including Robert Wishart , Bishop of Glasgow , Macduff of Fife , and the young Robert Bruce. The future king was now twenty-two, and in joining the rebels he seems to have been acting independently of his father, who took no part in the rebellion and appears to have abandoned Annandale once more for the safety of Carlisle. It appears that Robert Bruce had fallen under
1287-644: A large portfolio of lands from Moray in the north down into Berwickshire . From the time of Alexander I (reign 1107–24), the Abbey would also become firmly established as a prosperous royal mausoleum of the Scottish Crown . A total of eighteen royals, including seven Kings, were buried here from Queen Margaret in 1093 to Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany in 1420. During the Wars of Scottish Independence , Robert The Bruce insisted as early as 1314 that he wanted to be buried in
1430-534: A major public park, a main college campus at Halbeath and an-out-of-town leisure park with a multiplex cinema and a number of restaurants. The online retailer Amazon.com has opened a major distribution centre in the Duloch Park area of Dunfermline. As part of the Platinum Jubilee Civic Honours , it was announced on 20 May 2022 that Dunfermline would be awarded city status . It was formally awarded
1573-503: A more substantial facility and the old town house was demolished, to make way for the current building. The foundation stone for the new building was laid on 11 October 1876. It was designed by James Campbell Walker in the French Gothic style , built by Messrs W & J Hutchison and completed in May 1879. The design involved an asymmetrical main frontage with twelve bays facing onto Kirkgate;
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#17328546089371716-477: A pact that bound them, each to the other, in "friendship and alliance against all men." If one should break the secret pact, he would forfeit to the other the sum of ten thousand pounds. The pact is often interpreted as a sign of their patriotism despite both having already surrendered to the English. Homage was again obtained from the nobles and the burghs, and a parliament was held to elect those who would meet later in
1859-520: A pair of spurs. Bruce took the hint, and he and a squire fled the English court during the night. They made their way quickly for Scotland. According to Barbour, Comyn betrayed his agreement with Bruce to King Edward I, and when Bruce arranged a meeting for 10 February 1306 with Comyn in the Chapel of Greyfriars Monastery in Dumfries and accused him of treachery, they came to blows. Bruce stabbed Comyn before
2002-451: A period with one or more allied English noble families, such as the de Clares of Gloucester, or perhaps even in the English royal household. Sir Thomas Grey asserted in his Scalacronica that in about 1292, Robert the Bruce, then aged eighteen, was a "young bachelor of King Edward 's Chamber". While there remains little firm evidence of Robert's presence at Edward's court, on 8 April 1296, both Robert and his father were pursued through
2145-433: A possible explanation for Robert the Bruce's apparent affinity for " hobelar " warfare, using smaller sturdy ponies in mounted raids, as well as for sea-power, ranging from oared war-galleys (" birlinns ") to boats. According to historians such as Barrow and Penman, it is also likely that when Robert and Edward Bruce reached the male age of consent of twelve and began training for full knighthood, they were sent to reside for
2288-429: A restoration programme undertaken by Sir Robert Lorimer between 1911 and 1913. Work on the building was completed in 2010 to repair and reharl the property, restoring the original ochre-coloured limewash exterior. The project was funded through the £1.7 million Dunfermline Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) under a partnership between Fife Council and Historic Scotland. A number of stately homes also exist on
2431-674: A royal lineage as a fourth great-grandson of David I that would give him a claim to the Scottish throne. In addition to the lordship of Annandale, the Bruces also held lands in Aberdeenshire and Dundee , and substantial estates in England (in Cumberland , County Durham , Essex , Middlesex , Northumberland and Yorkshire ) and in County Antrim in Ireland. Very little is known of his youth. He
2574-586: A small victory over the English at the Battle of Glen Trool , before defeating Aymer de Valence, 2nd Earl of Pembroke , at the Battle of Loudoun Hill . At the same time, James Douglas made his first foray for Bruce into south-western Scotland, attacking and burning his own castle in Douglasdale. Leaving his brother Edward in command in Galloway , Bruce travelled north, capturing Inverlochy and Urquhart Castles, burning to
2717-503: A strong fascination for Robert and his brothers. They would have had masters drawn from their parents' household to school them in the arts of horsemanship, swordsmanship, the joust, hunting and perhaps aspects of courtly behaviour, including dress, protocol, speech, table etiquette, music and dance, some of which may have been learned before the age of ten while serving as pages in their father's or grandfather's household. As many of these personal and leadership skills were bound up within
2860-466: A total population of 39,229 representing 11.2% of Fife's total population. By the time of the 2011 Census , the population of Dunfermline had risen considerably to 49,706 and has again increased up to 50,380 in 2012. There are 21,620 households in Dunfermline, 70.7% of which were owned. The demographic make-up of the population is much in line with the rest of Scotland. The age group from 30 to 44 forms
3003-522: A traditional practice in Carrick, southwest and western Scotland, the Hebrides and Ireland . There were a number of Carrick, Ayrshire, Hebridean and Irish families and kindreds affiliated with the Bruces who might have performed such a service (Robert's foster-brother is referred to by Barbour as sharing Robert's precarious existence as an outlaw in Carrick in 1307–1308). This Gaelic influence has been cited as
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#17328546089373146-668: A twelfth-century romance of Charlemagne , Fierabras , as well as relating examples from history such as Hannibal 's defiance of Rome . As king, Robert certainly commissioned verse to commemorate Bannockburn and his subjects' military deeds. Contemporary chroniclers Jean Le Bel and Thomas Grey would both assert that they had read a history of his reign 'commissioned by King Robert himself.' In his last years, Robert would pay for Dominican friars to tutor his son, David , for whom he would also purchase books. A parliamentary briefing document of c. 1364 would also assert that Robert 'used continually to read, or have read in his presence,
3289-409: Is calculated at £363 for the area. Recent Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) figures indicate that the most deprived datazone in Dunfermline is Abbeyview North which is ranked as being one of the 5% most deprived areas in Scotland. The Headwell, Touch and Woodmill areas in Dunfermline fall within the 5–10% banding. Baldridgeburn, Brucefield and Halbeath areas are identified as being within
3432-505: Is now Priory Lane; to 90 to 101 metres (295 to 331 ft) up the High Street, from west to east; to 92 to 105 metres (302 to 344 ft) between Bruce Street and Queen Anne Street from south to north. Temperatures in Dunfermline, much like the rest of Scotland, are relatively moderate given its northern latitude. Fife is a peninsula, between the Firth of Tay to the north, Firth of Forth to
3575-626: Is shown in a letter written to Edward by Hugh Cressingham on 23 July 1292, which reports the opinion that "if you had the earl of Carrick, the Steward of Scotland and his brother ... you would think your business done". On 7 July, Bruce and his friends made terms with Edward by a treaty called the Capitulation of Irvine . The Scottish lords were not to serve beyond the sea against their will and were pardoned for their recent violence in return for swearing allegiance to King Edward. The Bishop of Glasgow, James
3718-532: Is still uncertain where Bruce spent the winter of 1306–1307. Most likely he spent it in the Hebrides , possibly sheltered by Christina of the Isles . The latter was married to a member of the Mar kindred , a family to which Bruce was related (not only was his first wife a member of this family but her brother, Gartnait , was married to a sister of Bruce). Ireland is also a serious possibility, and Orkney (under Norwegian rule at
3861-578: The "ferm" may have been an alternative name for the Tower Burn according to a medieval record published in 1455 which, together with the Lyne Burn to the south, suggests the site of a fortification between these two watercourses. The first record of a settlement in the Dunfermline area was in the Neolithic period. This evidence includes finds of a stone axe, some flint arrowheads and a carved stone ball near
4004-514: The Agricultural Revolution gathered pace the demand for lime (for improving land) increased the requirement for coal to burn it. Salt panning too required coal in large quantities, and the early outcrops near the Firth of Forth became exhausted, forcing the extraction to take place further inland. Many of the sites were within the present-day limits of Dunfermline. The increasing distance of
4147-568: The Alhambra on Canmore Street. Carnegie Hall hosts a range of theatrical and musical productions including an annual Christmas show. The Music Institute, adjacent to the Hall also provides workshops, classes and children's groups. The Alhambra, which opened in 1922, originally served as a dual-purpose role hosting both theatrical productions and films. In 2008, the theatre re-opened as a theatre and live music venue. Since 1938, Dunfermline has also been home to
4290-415: The Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, Robert defeated a much larger English army under Edward II of England , confirming the re-establishment of an independent Scottish kingdom. The battle marked a significant turning point, with Robert's armies now free to launch devastating raids throughout northern England , while he also expanded the war against England by sending armies to invade Ireland , and appealed to
4433-480: The Black Isle . Looping back via the hinterlands of Inverness and a second failed attempt to take Elgin, Bruce finally achieved his landmark defeat of Comyn at the Battle of Inverurie in May 1308; he then overran Buchan and defeated the English garrison at Aberdeen . The Harrying of Buchan in 1308 was ordered by Bruce to make sure all Comyn family support was extinguished. Buchan had a very large population because it
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4576-577: The Craigkelly or Black Hill TV transmitters. Radio West Fife is one of the oldest hospital radio stations in Scotland which broadcasts by landline to the Queen Margaret Hospital in the city. The town is also served by nation-wide radio stations, BBC Radio Scotland , Forth 1 , Kingdom FM and Greatest Hits Radio Scotland . The Dunfermline Press is the town's weekly local newspaper. The official guide to Dunfermline looked after by
4719-521: The Earl of Lennox . A strong force under Edward, Prince of Wales, captured Kildrummy Castle on 13 September 1306, taking prisoner the King's youngest brother, Nigel de Bruce, as well as Robert Boyd and Alexander Lindsay, and Sir Simon Fraser. Boyd managed to escape but both Nigel de Bruce and Lindsay were executed shortly after at Berwick following King Edward's orders to execute all followers of Robert de Bruce. Fraser
4862-526: The English Parliament to answer the charges. This the Scottish king did, but the final straw was Edward's demand that the Scottish magnates provide military service in England's war against France. This was unacceptable; the Scots instead formed an alliance with France. The Comyn-dominated council acting in the name of King John summoned the Scottish host to meet at Caddonlee on 11 March. The Bruces and
5005-507: The Holy Trinity , to "unam mansuram in burgo meo de Dunfermlyn " which translates into "a house or dwelling place in my burgh of Dunfermline" . The foundations of the church evolved into an Abbey in 1128, under the reign of their son, David I . Dunfermline Abbey would play a major role in the general romanisation of religion throughout the kingdom. At the peak of its power the abbey controlled four burghs, three courts of regality and
5148-407: The Holy Trinity , which evolved into Dunfermline Abbey under their son David I in 1128, and became firmly established as a prosperous royal mausoleum for the Scottish Crown . A total of eighteen royals, including seven Kings, were buried here between 1093 and 1420 including Robert the Bruce in 1329. By the 18th century, Dunfermline became a regional economic powerhouse with the introduction of
5291-518: The Palace in 1540. Along Abbot Street is the Category B listed Dunfermline Carnegie Library which was built between 1881 and 1883. This library was the first in the world to be funded via donations by steel magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie . A total of 2,811 free public libraries were eventually built altogether. At the top of Moodie Street is the Category B listed handloom weavers' cottage,
5434-500: The linen industry , and produced industrialists including Andrew Carnegie . Dunfermline was awarded city status as part of Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee Civic Honours in 2022. Today, the city is a major service centre, with the largest employers being Sky UK , Amazon , Best Western , TechnipFMC , Lloyds and Nationwide . Dunfermline sits on the Fife Pilgrim Way . The city currently has an estimated population of 58,508 and
5577-538: The 'Kinema Ballroom' a ballroom/dancehall which has evolved into a famous live music performance venue and nightclub which has hosted many internationally acclaimed artists. Local groups include the Dunfermline Folk Club, Dunfermline Abbey Choir and Dunfermline district pipe band. The venue is now a world buffet restaurant. Dunfermline Fire Station, a category B listed building, is an arts venue, cafe and studio space. Television signals are received from either
5720-452: The 10–15%, 15–20% banding of most deprived communities in Scotland. At June 2017 there was a recorded 539 Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) claimants in the Dunfermline area representing a 1.4% rate which was lower than the Fife and Scottish averages. From about the fifteenth century coal and limestone had been extracted in the area around Dunfermline, at first on a very small and localised scale. As
5863-629: The 163,000 jobs in Fife. Wholesale and Retail (over 18% of local jobs) Health and Social Work (over 15% of local jobs) and Information and Communication (over 10% of local jobs) are the predominant sectors in the local economy. There are also moderate instances of employment in finance, manufacturing, food services and accommodation. Key local employers include Best Western (hotels), Sky UK ( home entertainment and communications ), CR Smith (windows manufacturing), FMC Technologies ( offshore energy ), Lloyds and Nationwide (both financial services). In November 2011 online retailer Amazon.com opened
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6006-730: The Apiaries of the Monastery. The memorial lists 632 of those killed in the First World War and another 275 in the Second World War. To the north of the abbey, on the corner of Maygate and Abbot Street, is the Category A listed Abbot House . This is the oldest secular building still standing in Dunfermline. The house was originally built in the mid-fifteenth century as a residence for Abbot Richard Bothwell and this role continued until Commendator George Durie left to move into new apartments at
6149-503: The Bruce ( Scottish Gaelic : Raibeart am Brusach ), was King of Scots from 1306 to his death in 1329. Robert led Scotland during the First War of Scottish Independence against England . He fought successfully during his reign to restore Scotland to an independent kingdom and is regarded in Scotland as a national hero . Robert was a fourth-great-grandson of King David I , and his grandfather, Robert de Brus, 5th Lord of Annandale ,
6292-524: The Bruce nor the Comyn camps and was a patriot. He was an active Guardian and made renewed efforts to have King John returned to the Scottish throne. In July 1301 King Edward I launched his sixth campaign into Scotland. Though he captured the castles of Bothwell and Turnberry , he did little to damage the Scots' fighting ability, and in January 1302 he agreed to a nine-month truce. It was around this time that Robert
6435-463: The Bruce submitted to Edward, along with other nobles, even though he had been on the side of the Scots until then. There were rumours that John Balliol would return to regain the Scottish throne. Soules, who had probably been appointed by John, supported his return, as did most other nobles. But it was no more than a rumour and nothing came of it. In March 1302, Bruce sent a letter to the monks at Melrose Abbey apologising for having called tenants of
6578-512: The Bruces were by now back in possession of Annandale and Carrick, in August 1296 Robert Bruce, Lord of Annandale, and his son, Robert Bruce, Earl of Carrick and future king, were among the more than 1,500 Scots at Berwick who swore an oath of fealty to King Edward I of England. When the Scottish revolt against Edward I broke out in July 1297, James Stewart, 5th High Steward of Scotland , led into rebellion
6721-609: The Carnegie Clinic by H & D Barclay from 1909 to 1912. Pittencrieff Park forms the western boundary of the town centre covering 31 hectares (76 acres). It was given to the people of Dunfermline in 1903 by Andrew Carnegie . The park is known locally as the Glen and was created from the estate of Pittencrieff and the lands of the house, owned by the Lairds of Pittencrieff. A £1.4 million project to regenerate, restore and re-establish
6864-630: The City of Dunfermline Area Committee, take place in the Dunfermline City Chambers . Dunfermline forms part of the county constituency of Dunfermline and West Fife . The Dunfermline and West Fife UK (or Westminster ) constituency, created in 2005 when the previous seats Dunfermline East and Dunfermline West were abolished, elects a Member of Parliament (MP) to the House of Commons of the Parliament of
7007-568: The Comyn Earl of Buchan and their faction attacking their Bruce enemies. Both his father and grandfather were at one time Governors of the Castle, and following the loss of Annandale to Comyn in 1295, it was their principal residence. Robert Bruce would have gained first-hand knowledge of the city's defences. The next time Carlisle was besieged, in 1315, Robert the Bruce would be leading the attack. Edward I responded to King John's alliance with France and
7150-537: The Dunfermline Carnegie Trust and named after Louise Carnegie, the wife of Andrew Carnegie. They lead up a path to a bronze statue of Andrew Carnegie which was unveiled in 1914. In the subsequent development of the modern park, the Category A listed Pittencrieff House, built around 1610 for Sir William Clerk of Penicuik, was designed as a centre piece. Two of the bedrooms were converted to create two long galleries for museum and art exhibition space in
7293-468: The English Chancery for their private household debts of £60 by several merchants of Winchester . This raises the possibility that young Robert the Bruce was on occasion resident in a royal centre which Edward I himself would visit frequently during his reign. Robert's first appearance in history is on a witness list of a charter issued by Alexander Og MacDonald, Lord of Islay . His name appears in
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#17328546089377436-405: The English on even ground have caused many to consider Bruce one of the great guerrilla leaders of any age. This represented a transformation for one raised as a feudal knight . By 1314, Bruce had recaptured most of the castles in Scotland held by the English and was sending raiding parties into northern England as far as Carlisle . In response, Edward II planned a major military campaign with
7579-418: The English. William Wallace resigned as Guardian of Scotland after his defeat at the Battle of Falkirk . He was succeeded by Robert Bruce and John Comyn as joint Guardians, but they could not see past their personal differences. As a nephew and supporter of King John, and as someone with a serious claim to the Scottish throne, Comyn was Bruce's enemy. In 1299, William Lamberton , Bishop of St. Andrews ,
7722-534: The European Parliament (MEPs) using the d'Hondt method of party-list proportional representation . Dunfermline is at 56°04′17″N 3°27′42″W / 56.07139°N 3.46167°W / 56.07139; -3.46167 on the coastal fringe of Fife. The medieval town rose from approximately 51 metres (167 ft) above sea level in the south, where Nethertown Broad Street can now be found; 69 to 67 metres (226 to 220 ft) west to east along what
7865-639: The Gaelic language of his Carrick birthplace and his mother's family and the early Scots language. As the heir to a considerable estate and a pious layman, Robert would also have been given working knowledge of Latin , the language of charter lordship, liturgy and prayer. This would have afforded Robert and his brothers access to basic education in the law , politics , scripture , saints' Lives ( vitae ), philosophy , history and chivalric instruction and romance. Barbour reported that Robert read aloud to his band of supporters in 1306, reciting from memory tales from
8008-532: The Glen Pavilion to provide a new 120 seat cafe and linking corridor to the rear of the building. The Bruce Festival is an annual attraction held in Pittencrieff Park every August. The festival which promotes Robert The Bruce 's links to Dunfermline centres on a medieval village and is home to a food fayre, battle reenactments and displays of arts and crafts. The Andrew Carnegie birthplace museum at
8151-497: The High Street was erected in 1807 by the guilds of the local merchants who were ambitious for Dunfermline to become the county town of Fife. Lack of funds forced the building to be sold, but in 1811 funds were available to add the 40-metre-high (130 ft) steeple. At the west end of the High Street is the Category A listed City Chambers with its 36-metre-high (118 ft) high central clock tower and turrets, designed by James Campbell Walker and built between 1876 and 1879 . In
8294-514: The Irish to rise against Edward II's rule. Despite Bannockburn and the capture of the final English stronghold at Berwick in 1318, Edward II refused to renounce his claim to the overlordship of Scotland. In 1320, the Scottish nobility submitted the Declaration of Arbroath to Pope John XXII , declaring Robert as their rightful monarch and asserting Scotland's status as an independent kingdom. In 1324,
8437-480: The Kingsgate Shopping Centre was completed in 2008 improving and expanding the retail offer in the town by attracting a major department store brand and range of other smaller retailers. Other retail areas in Dunfermline exist at Carnegie Drive Retail Park to the north of the town centre and Halbeath Retail Park to the east of the town. A large neighbourhood centre with one of the towns major supermarkets
8580-839: The Local Tourism Association is Dunfermline.com Dunfermline is home to a professional football team, as well as rugby and cricket teams. The senior football team, Dunfermline Athletic play their games at East End Park in the Scottish Championship . The team have become famous for winning the Scottish Cup twice in the 1960s (1961 and 1968) gaining a reputation as a side for competitive football in both England and mainland Europe. The senior rugby team, Dunfermline RFC play their games at McKane Park in Caledonia League Division 1 . Dunfermline Reign are
8723-603: The Mid Scotland and Fife electoral region. Each constituency elects one Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) by the first-past-the-post system of election. The seat was won at 2016 Scottish Parliament elections by Shirley-Anne Somerville of the Scottish National Party . Prior to Brexit in 2020, Dunfermline was part of the pan-Scotland European Parliament constituency which elected seven Members of
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#17328546089378866-631: The Pope recognised Robert I as king of an independent Scotland, and in 1326, the Franco-Scottish alliance was renewed in the Treaty of Corbeil . In 1327, the English deposed Edward II in favour of his son, Edward III , and peace was concluded between Scotland and England with the Treaty of Edinburgh–Northampton in 1328, by which Edward III renounced all claims to sovereignty over Scotland. Robert I died in June 1329 and
9009-442: The Steward, and Sir Alexander Lindsay became sureties for Bruce until he delivered his infant daughter Marjorie as a hostage, which he never did. When King Edward returned to England after his victory at the Battle of Falkirk , the Bruce's possessions were excepted from the Lordships and lands that Edward assigned to his followers. The reason for this is uncertain, though Fordun records Robert fighting for Edward, at Falkirk, under
9152-417: The United Kingdom by the first-past-the-post system. The seat is currently held by Douglas Chapman MP for the Scottish National Party . For the purposes of the Scottish Parliament , Dunfermline forms part of the Dunfermline constituency. The Dunfermline Scottish Parliament (or Holyrood ) constituency created in 2011, following a review of Scottish Parliament constituency boundaries is one of nine within
9295-455: The apparently imminent restoration of John Balliol to the Scottish throne. After submitting to Edward I in 1302 and returning to "the king's peace", Robert inherited his family's claim to the Scottish throne upon his father's death. Bruce's involvement in John Comyn's murder in February 1306 led to his excommunication by Pope Clement V (although he received absolution from Robert Wishart , Bishop of Glasgow ). Bruce moved quickly to seize
9438-401: The architect William Burn , was built between 1818 and 1821 on the site of the medieval choir and transepts which had been the eastern part of the abbey. The main Dunfermline War Memorial on Monastery Street was unveiled by the Lord Lieutenant of Fife, Sir Ralph Anstruther, in 1925. A Second World War Memorial and garden of remembrance were added in 1958 on a site assumed to have been home to
9581-449: The attack on Carlisle by invading Scotland at the end of March 1296 and taking the town of Berwick in a particularly bloody attack upon the flimsy palisades. At the Battle of Dunbar , Scottish resistance was effectively crushed. Edward deposed King John, placed him in the Tower of London , and installed Englishmen to govern the country. The campaign had been very successful, but the English triumph would be only temporary. Although
9724-497: The birthplace of Andrew Carnegie, which dates from the early 18th century. An adjacent memorial hall was added to the birthplace in 1928. Just off East Port between Carnegie Hall and the High Street is Viewfield House , a large square stone Palladian three storey villa, built in about 1808 for James Blackwood, Provost of Dunfermline, and now a listed building. It served as home to the Carnegie Trust's Craft School from 1920 to 1940. The Category A listed Dunfermline Guildhall on
9867-442: The bishop and set upon King Robert. The bishops of Moray and Glasgow were in attendance, as were the earls of Atholl , Menteith , the Lennox and Mar . The great banner of the kings of Scotland was planted behind Bruce's throne. Edward I marched north again in the spring of 1306. On his way, he granted the Scottish estates of Bruce and his adherents to his own followers and had published a bill excommunicating Bruce. In June Bruce
10010-467: The car park between Bruce Street and Chambers Street is St Margaret's Cave, a place where she would retreat to pray in peace and quiet. The cave was re-opened in 1993 to celebrate the 900th anniversary of her death. Forming the main entrance to Pittencrieff Park at the junction of Bridge Street and Chalmers Street are the Category A listed Louise Carnegie Memorial Gates, otherwise known as the Glen Gates . The gates, which opened in 1929, were paid for by
10153-431: The castles of their lordships – Lochmaben Castle , the main castle of the lordship of Annandale, and Turnberry and Loch Doon Castle , the castles of the earldom of Carrick. A significant and profound part of the childhood experience of Robert, Edward and possibly the other Bruce brothers (Neil, Thomas and Alexander), was also gained through the Gaelic tradition of being fostered to allied Gaelic kindreds –
10296-430: The ceremony was performed by Fothad , the last Celtic bishop of St Andrews . Malcolm III established Dunfermline as a new seat for royal power in the mid-11th century and initiated changes that eventually made the township the de facto capital of Scotland for much of the period until the assassination of James I in 1437. Following her marriage to King Malcolm III, Queen Margaret encouraged her husband to convert
10439-448: The city chambers include Sir Joseph Paton 's painting of Queen Margaret and Malcolm Canmore. Dunfermline Dunfermline ( / d ʌ n ˈ f ɜːr m l ɪ n / ; Scots : Dunfaurlin , Scottish Gaelic : Dùn Phàrlain ) is a city, parish, and former royal burgh in Fife, Scotland , 3 miles (5 km) from the northern shore of the Firth of Forth . Dunfermline was
10582-479: The clergy of Scotland recognised Bruce as king at a general council. The support given him by the church, in spite of his excommunication, was of great political importance. On 1 October 1310, Bruce wrote Edward II of England from Kildrum in Cumbernauld Parish in an unsuccessful attempt to establish peace between Scotland and England. Over the next three years, one English-held castle or outpost after another
10725-460: The clergy throughout the land to rally to Bruce. Nonetheless, Bruce was excommunicated for this crime. Six weeks after Comyn was killed in Dumfries, Bruce was crowned King of Scots by Bishop William de Lamberton at Scone , near Perth , on Palm Sunday 25 March 1306 with all formality and solemnity. The royal robes and vestments that Robert Wishart had hidden from the English were brought out by
10868-471: The command of Antony Bek , Bishop of Durham , Annandale and Carrick . This participation is contested as no Bruce appears on the Falkirk roll of nobles present in the English army, and two 19th Century antiquarians, Alexander Murison and George Chalmers, have stated that Bruce did not participate, and in the following month decided to lay waste to Annandale and burn Ayr Castle, to prevent it being garrisoned by
11011-484: The company of the Bishop of Argyll , the vicar of Arran , a Kintyre clerk, his father, and a host of Gaelic notaries from Carrick. Robert Bruce, the king to be, was sixteen years of age when Margaret, Maid of Norway , died in 1290. It is also around this time that Robert would have been knighted, and he began to appear on the political stage in the Bruce dynastic interest. Robert's mother died early in 1292. In November of
11154-450: The corner of Moodie Street and Priory Lane is dedicated to the well-known businessman and philanthropist. The museum is made up of two buildings; the weaver's cottage, his birthplace and the memorial hall which tells his life story. Annual heritage walks organised by the museum take place each summer. The Abbot House on Maygate is the oldest building in the town. In 2017, Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries opened, an extension of
11297-493: The country now under submission, all the leading Scots, except for William Wallace, surrendered to Edward in February 1304. John Comyn, who was by now Guardian again, submitted to Edward. The laws and liberties of Scotland were to be as they had been in the days of Alexander III , and any that needed alteration would be with the assent of King Edward and the advice of the Scots nobles. On 11 June 1304, Bruce and William Lamberton made
11440-430: The daughter of Domhnall I, Earl of Mar . Isabella died shortly after their marriage, either during or shortly after the birth of their only child, Marjorie Bruce . Almost the first blow in the war between Scotland and England was a direct attack on the Bruces. On 26 March 1296, Easter Monday, seven Scottish earls made a surprise attack on the walled city of Carlisle , which was not so much an attack against England as
11583-507: The de facto capital of the Kingdom of Scotland between the 11th and 15th centuries. The earliest known settlements around Dunfermline probably date to the Neolithic period, growing by the Bronze Age . The city was first recorded in the 11th century, with the marriage of Malcolm III of Scotland , and Saint Margaret at Dunfermline. As Queen consort , Margaret established a church dedicated to
11726-532: The earldoms of Buchan, Mar, Ross, Fife, Angus, Dunbar, and Strathearn; the Lordships of Kilbride, Kirkintilloch, Lenzie, Bedrule, and Scraesburgh; and sheriffdoms in Banff, Dingwall, Wigtown, and Aberdeen. He also had a powerful claim to the Scottish throne through his descent from Donald III on his father's side and David I on his mother's side. Comyn was the nephew of John Balliol . According to Barbour and Fordoun, in
11869-638: The earls of Angus and March refused, and the Bruce family withdrew temporarily from Scotland, while the Comyns seized their estates in Annandale and Carrick, granting them to John Comyn, Earl of Buchan . Edward I thereupon provided a safe refuge for the Bruces, having appointed the Lord of Annandale to the command of Carlisle Castle in October 1295. At some point in early 1296, Robert married his first wife, Isabella of Mar ,
12012-550: The earls of Carrick had achieved some feudalisation, the society of Carrick at the end of the thirteenth century remained emphatically Celtic and Gaelic speaking. Robert the Bruce would most probably have become trilingual at an early age. He would have been schooled to speak, read and possibly write in the Anglo-Norman language of his Scots-Norman peers and the Scoto-Norman portion of his family. He would also have spoken both
12155-438: The factory began in early 2011 with an expected date for completion at the end of the year. A masterplan is being created for the site identifying significant investment and development opportunities with the potential to create a substantial number of new jobs. Dunfermline is the principal shopping centre serving the western area of Fife and is the region's second largest town centre by floorspace. Retailing accounts for 18% of
12298-554: The first of the Bruce (de Brus) line, had settled in Scotland during the reign of King David I , and was granted the Lordship of Annandale in 1124. The future king was one of ten children, and the eldest son, of Robert de Brus, 6th Lord of Annandale , and Marjorie, Countess of Carrick . From his mother, he inherited the Earldom of Carrick , and through his father, the Lordship of Annandale and
12441-546: The former Carnegie library building. This provides the town with museum, art gallery, archive, library, cafe and garden spaces. Funders included Fife Council (£6.8 million) and the Heritage Lottery Fund (£2.8 million). The building has won architectural awards: EAA Building of the Year and Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland's (RIAS) Andrew Doolan prize. Dunfermline has two theatres, Carnegie Hall on East Port and
12584-536: The fortunes of Dunfermline lasted until the introduction of a linen industry in the early 18th century. One reason for which the town became a centre for linen was there was enough water to power the mills and nearby ports along the Fife Coast. These ports also did trade with the Baltic and Low Countries . Another reason was through an act of industrial espionage in 1709 by a weaver known as James Blake who gained access to
12727-478: The future king, so as to protect the Bruce's kingship claim while their middle lord (Robert the Bruce's father) now held only English lands. While the Bruces' bid for the throne had ended in failure, the Balliols' triumph propelled the eighteen-year-old Robert the Bruce onto the political stage in his own right. Even after John's accession, Edward continued to assert his authority over Scotland, and relations between
12870-483: The greater Dunfermline area has a population of 76,210. There have been various interpretations of the name, "Dunfermline" . The first element, "dun" translated from Gaelic , has been accepted as a (fortified) hill, and is assumed to be referring to the rocky outcrop at the site of Malcolm Canmore's Tower in Pittencrieff Glen (now Pittencrieff Park ). The rest of the name is problematic. The second element,
13013-506: The ground Inverness Castle and Nairn , then unsuccessfully threatening Elgin . On 7 July 1307, King Edward I died, leaving Bruce opposed by the king's son, Edward II . Transferring operations to Aberdeenshire in late 1307, Bruce threatened Banff before falling seriously ill, probably owing to the hardships of the lengthy campaign. Recovering, leaving John Comyn, 3rd Earl of Buchan unsubdued at his rear, Bruce returned west to take Balvenie and Duffus Castles, then Tarradale Castle on
13156-424: The head. Bruce supporters then ran up and stabbed Comyn with their swords. Bruce asserted his claim to the Scottish crown and began his campaign by force for the independence of Scotland. Bruce and his party then attacked Dumfries Castle where the English garrison surrendered. Bruce hurried from Dumfries to Glasgow, where his friend and supporter Bishop Robert Wishart granted him absolution and subsequently adjured
13299-461: The high altar. The Scotichronicon says that on being told that Comyn had survived the attack and was being treated, two of Bruce's supporters, Roger de Kirkpatrick (uttering the words "I mak siccar" ("I make sure")) and John Lindsay, went back into the church and finished Bruce's work. Barbour, however, tells no such story. The Flores Historiarum, which was written c. 1307, says Bruce and Comyn disagreed and Bruce drew his sword and struck Comyn over
13442-455: The histories of ancient kings and princes, and how they conducted themselves in their times, both in wartime and in peacetime; from these he derived information about aspects of his own rule.' Tutors for the young Robert and his brothers were most likely drawn from unbeneficed clergy or mendicant friars associated with the churches patronised by their family. However, as growing noble youths, outdoor pursuits and great events would also have held
13585-435: The influence of his grandfather's friends, Wishart and Stewart, who had inspired him to resistance. With the outbreak of the revolt, Robert left Carlisle and made his way to Annandale, where he called together the knights of his ancestral lands and, according to the English chronicler Walter of Guisborough , addressed them thus: No man holds his own flesh and blood in hatred and I am no exception. I must join my own people and
13728-571: The isolated MacDougalls (allies of the Comyns) at the Battle of Pass of Brander and took Dunstaffnage Castle , the last major stronghold of the Comyns and their allies. Bruce then ordered harryings in Argyle and Kintyre, in the territories of Clan MacDougall . In March 1309, Bruce held his first parliament at St. Andrews and by August he controlled all of Scotland north of the River Tay . The following year,
13871-616: The keeping of such a man as he himself will be willing to answer for," suggesting that King Edward suspected Robert was not entirely trustworthy and may have been plotting behind his back. However, an identical phrase appears in an agreement between Edward and his lieutenant and lifelong friend, Aymer de Valence . A further sign of Edward's distrust occurred on 10 October 1305, when Edward revoked his gift of Sir Gilbert de Umfraville's lands to Bruce that he had made only six months before. Robert Bruce as Earl of Carrick , and now 7th Lord of Annandale , held huge estates and property in Scotland and
14014-414: The largest portion of the population (23.7%). The total population in the Dunfermline area was estimated at 55,451 in 2016, with a projected increase of 29% expected by 2026. The number of households in the Dunfermline area in 2016 was recorded at 24,607; 77% of which were owner occupied, 18% social rented and 4% private rented. 30.6% of people live alone and 10.9% are in low income. The median weekly income
14157-453: The last monarch to be born in Scotland. The Reformation of 1560 had previously meant a loss of the Dunfermline's ecclesiastical importance. David Ferguson was the town's first reformed minister. On 25 May 1624, a fire engulfed around three-quarters of the medieval-renaissance burgh. Some of the surviving buildings of the fire were the palace , the abbey and the Abbot's House. The decline in
14300-492: The late summer of 1305, in a secret agreement sworn, signed, and sealed, John Comyn agreed to forfeit his claim to the Scottish throne in favour of Robert Bruce upon receipt of the Bruce lands in Scotland should an uprising occur led by Bruce. Whether the details of the agreement with Comyn are correct or not, King Edward moved to arrest Bruce while Bruce was still at the English court. Ralph de Monthermer learned of Edward's intention and warned Bruce by sending him twelve pence and
14443-469: The latter of which contains a pair of armlets, a bronze dagger and a set necklace believed to have complemented a double burial. The first historic record for Dunfermline was made in the 11th century. According to the fourteenth-century chronicler, John of Fordun , Malcolm III married his second bride, the Anglo-Hungarian princess Saint Margaret , at the church in Dunfermline between 1068 and 1070;
14586-447: The lowest tier of governance, whose statutory role is to communicate local opinion to local and central government. Fife Council , the unitary local authority for Dunfermline, are the executive , deliberative and legislative body responsible for local governance . Dunfermline has retained some importance as an administrative centre with the council's principal west Fife office based at New City House. Councillor meetings, including
14729-517: The mid-17th century, Hill House was built as a residence for William Monteith of Randford and Pitreavie Castle as a manor house by Sir Hendry Wardlaw. To the south-west of Dunfermline is the Category A listed Logie House, built as an Edwardian residence and seat for the Hunt family. Further Carnegie funded buildings include the Carnegie Leisure Centre, designed by Hippolyte Blanc in 1905, and
14872-466: The mineral to the harbours at Charlestown, Limekilns, Inverkeithing and St David's. From 1848 more modern railways entered Dunfermline, at first on a west to east axis, intersecting the mineral lines. In time the latter were converted to make through running on to the main line network possible. During the Industrial Revolution and victorian period industry in Dunfermline was concentrated to
15015-502: The monks to service in his army when there had been no national call-up. Bruce pledged that, henceforth, he would "never again" require the monks to serve unless it was to "the common army of the whole realm", for national defence. Bruce also married his second wife that year, Elizabeth de Burgh , the daughter of Richard de Burgh, 2nd Earl of Ulster , in Writtle, near Chelmsford in Essex. Elizabeth
15158-417: The nation in which I was born. I ask that you please come with me and you will be my councillors and close comrades. Urgent letters were sent ordering Bruce to support Edward's commander, John de Warenne, 6th Earl of Surrey (to whom Bruce was related), in the summer of 1297; but instead of complying, Bruce continued to support the revolt against Edward I. That Bruce was in the forefront of inciting rebellion
15301-604: The north and south ends of the burgh. During the mid-19th century, power loom weaving started to replace linen damask. The latter did not survive, going into decline straight after the end of First World War . In 1909 the Royal Navy established Scotland's only Royal Naval Dockyard at nearby Rosyth . Post-war housing began in the late 1940s with the construction of temporary prefabs and Swedish timber houses around areas such as Kingseat and Townhill. Additional provisions were made for electricity, water and sewage systems. Council housing
15444-514: The north of the town centre around Pilmuir Street and to the south along sections of the Lynn Burn at Elgin and Bothwell Streets with textiles being particularly important to the town's economy. After the end of the Second World War traditional industries, particularly linen and coal mining, declined and eventually became obsolete in the town with many factories ceasing production. Manufacturing in
15587-523: The outskirts of the town. The Category A listed Pitfirrane Castle, to the west of Dunfermline, was once the seat of the Halkett family. The castle, which dates from the 16th century, was purchased by the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust in 1951 for the use as a clubhouse for Dunfermline Golf Club. To the south of Dunfermline is the Category A listed Hill House and Pitreavie Castle . Both dating from
15730-528: The park began in 2009 and is ongoing. In December 2011 Pittencrieff Park was awarded £710,000 through the Heritage Lottery Fund 's Parks for People programme for essential maintenance work. A previous award of £27,000 was made under this scheme in 2010. The work included the restoration of historic buildings and bridges; new lighting and the refurbishment of the greenhouse to create a classroom. A separate £1 million project finished in 2012, extending
15873-717: The pits from the Forth made transport of the minerals an issue, and Dunfermline was a pioneer in the construction of wooden waggonways for the purpose. By the eighteenth century a complex network had developed, and in time many of the lines were converted to railways: the Halbeath Railway, the Fordell Railway, the Elgin Railway and the Townhill Tramway being the most prominent. They generally ran from north to south, still conveying
16016-526: The population centre towards the town's boundary with the M90 road corridor; it is planned to continue until 2022. Major developments include the creation of the Duloch and Masterton neighbourhoods with over 6,000 homes, three new primary schools, new community infrastructure, employment land and the Fife Leisure Park. With the expansion there has been a dramatic rise in the town's population; more than 20% over
16159-442: The royal mausoleum in Dunfermline. This was so he could maintain the legacy of previous Scottish kings interred here, referring to them as our ‘predecessors’. Robert The Bruce (reigned 1306–29) would ultimately become the last of the seven Scottish Kings to be given this honour in 1329, although his heart was taken to Melrose Abbey . Dunfermline had become a burgh between 1124 and 1127, if not before this time. Dunfermline Palace
16302-636: The same year, Edward I of England , on behalf of the Guardians of Scotland and following the Great Cause , awarded the vacant Crown of Scotland to his grandfather's first cousin once removed, John Balliol . Almost immediately, Robert de Brus, 5th Lord of Annandale , resigned his lordship of Annandale and transferred his claim to the Scottish throne to his son, antedating this statement to 7 November. In turn, that son, Robert de Brus, 6th Lord of Annandale , resigned his earldom of Carrick to his eldest son, Robert,
16445-492: The small culdee chapel into a church for Benedictine monks. The existing culdee church was no longer able to meet the demand for its growing congregation because of a large increase in the population of Dunfermline from the arrival of English nobility coming into Scotland. The founding of this new church of Dunfermline was inaugurated around 1072, but was not recorded in the town's records. King David I of Scotland (reigned 1124–53) would later grant this church, dedicated to
16588-513: The south and the North Sea to the east. Summers are relatively cool and the warming of the water over the summer, results in warm winters. Average annual temperatures in Dunfermline range from a maximum of 18 °C (64 °F) to a minimum of 9 °C (48 °F). The town is geologically separated from the area to the north by the Cleish Hills . According to the 2001 census, Dunfermline had
16731-416: The southern section featured a doorway with an octagonal turret above in the south east corner, while the northern section featured an elaborate doorway with a balcony and prominent four-face clock tower with bartizans in the north east corner. The structure included heraldic stones, recovered from the demolished 18th century town house, which may have originated from the now derelict Dunfermline Palace ,
16874-489: The status through Letters Patent on 3 October 2022. Dunfermline retained royal burgh status until this was abolished in 1975, under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 in favour of a three-tier regions and districts . The royal burgh merged into Dunfermline District , which was one of three districts within the Fife region serving the town and West Fife from Kincardine to Aberdour . The district council
17017-404: The support of Lancaster and the barons, mustering a large army of between 15,000 and 20,000 men. In the spring of 1314, Edward Bruce laid siege to Stirling Castle, a key fortification in Scotland whose governor, Philip de Mowbray , agreed to surrender if not relieved before 24 June 1314. In March, James Douglas captured Roxburgh , and Randolph captured Edinburgh Castle (Bruce later ordered
17160-528: The throne, and was crowned king of Scots on 25 March 1306. Edward I's forces defeated Robert in the Battle of Methven , forcing him to flee into hiding, before re-emerging in 1307 to defeat an English army at Loudoun Hill and wage a highly successful guerrilla war against the English. Robert I defeated his other opponents, destroying their strongholds and devastating their lands, and in 1309 held his first parliament . A series of military victories between 1310 and 1314 won him control of much of Scotland, and at
17303-539: The time) or Norway proper (where his sister Isabel Bruce was queen dowager) are unlikely but not impossible. Bruce and his followers returned to the Scottish mainland in February 1307 in two groups. One, led by Bruce and his brother Edward , landed at Turnberry Castle and began a guerrilla war in south-west Scotland. The other, led by his brothers Thomas and Alexander, landed slightly further south in Loch Ryan , but they were soon captured and executed. In April, Bruce won
17446-430: The total number of jobs in the town. A BID (Business Improvement District) scheme for the town centre has been in operation since 2009. The majority of shops and retail services in Dunfermline are concentrated in the town centre along a high street . The Kingsgate Shopping Centre is located on the pedestrianised section of the High Street giving Dunfermline a mix of modern and traditional shops. A major extension of
17589-796: The town rejuvenated by the early 1960s when Monotype Corporation opened a new factory on Halbeath Road. The completion of the Pitreavie Industrial Estate (now known as the Pitreavie Business Park) opened in the mid-1970s, following the arrival of Philips and the re-location of the offices of the Dunfermline Press . Smaller industrial estates were focused on Elgin Street, Halbeath Drive and Primrose Lane. The Dunfermline area has Fife's largest concentration of employment providing approximately 26,600 jobs in 2009; approximately 16% of
17732-534: The town. A cropmark which is understood to have been used as a possible mortuary enclosure has been found at Deanpark House, also near the town. By the time of the Bronze Age , the area was beginning to show some importance. Important finds included a bronze axe in Wellwood and a gold torc from the Parish Churchyard. Cist burials from the Bronze Age have also been discovered at both Crossford and Masterton,
17875-541: The two kings soon deteriorated. The Bruces sided with King Edward against King John and his Comyn allies. Robert the Bruce and his father both considered John a usurper. Against the objections of the Scots, Edward I agreed to hear appeals on cases ruled on by the court of the Guardians that had governed Scotland during the interregnum. A further provocation came in a case brought by Macduff, son of Malcolm, Earl of Fife , in which Edward demanded that John appear in person before
18018-503: The workshops of a damask linen factory in Edinburgh by pretending to act like a simpleton in order to find out and memorise the formula. On his return to his home town in 1718, Blake established a damask linen industry in the town. The largest of these factories was St Leonard's Mill which was established by Erskine Beveridge in 1851. A warehouse and office block was later added around 1869. Other linen factories were built on land to both
18161-468: The year with the English parliament to establish rules for the governance of Scotland. The Earl of Richmond , Edward's nephew, was to head up the subordinate government of Scotland. While all this took place, William Wallace was finally captured near Glasgow , and he was hanged, drawn, and quartered in London on 23 August 1305. In September 1305, Edward ordered Robert Bruce to put his castle at Kildrummy , "in
18304-511: Was a reconstruction of the Benedictine chapel dedicated to the Holy Trinity , founded by his mother, Queen Margaret . Despite much of the monastic buildings being destroyed by the troops of Edward I in 1303, there are substantial remains, with the lower stories of the dormitory and latrine blocks on the east side of the cloister being the earliest surviving parts, dating back to the early 13th century. The Abbey parish church, designed by
18447-495: Was abolished in 1996, under the Local Government etc (Scotland) Act 1994 , when the region became a unitary council area . The new unitary Fife Council adopted the areas of the former districts as council management areas, and created area committees to represent each. Today, Dunfermline is represented by several tiers of elected government. Abbeyview, Bellyeoman, Carnock and Gowkhall, Central Dunfermline, Izatt Avenue & Nethertown and Touch and Garvock Community Councils form
18590-639: Was about 13 at the time, and Bruce 28. By Elizabeth he had four children: David II , John (died in childhood), Matilda (who married Thomas Isaac and died at Aberdeen 20 July 1353), and Margaret (who married William de Moravia, 5th Earl of Sutherland in 1345). In 1303, Edward invaded again, reaching Edinburgh before marching to Perth . Edward stayed in Perth until July, then proceeded via Dundee , Brechin , and Montrose to Aberdeen , where he arrived in August. From there he marched through Moray to Badenoch before re-tracing his path back south to Dunfermline . With
18733-405: Was achieved, especially the taking of northern castles so quickly, is difficult to understand. Bruce lacked siege weapons and it's unlikely his army had substantially greater numbers or was better armed than his opponents. The morale and leadership of the Comyns and their northern allies appeared to be inexplicably lacking in the face of their direst challenge. He then crossed to Argyll and defeated
18876-522: Was also built as part of the eastern expansion area of Dunfermline. The Fife Leisure Park, constructed in 1999 is adjacent to the M90 at Halbeath on the eastern outskirts of Dunfermline. The leisure park has a large cinema, a health club, bowling alley and a number of restaurants. The Category A listed Dunfermline Abbey on the Kirkgate is one of the best examples of Scoto-Norman monastic architecture. The Abbey, built between 1128 and 1150 under David I ,
19019-645: Was also connected to the abbey and the first known documentation of the Auld Alliance was signed there on 23 October 1295. Although the second son of James VI of Scotland and Anne of Denmark , Prince Charles was born in Dunfermline Palace, Fife, on 19 November 1600, the Union of the Crowns ended the town's royal connections when James VI relocated the Scottish royal court to London in 1603. King Charles thus became
19162-416: Was appointed as a third, neutral Guardian to try to maintain order between Bruce and Comyn. The following year, Bruce finally resigned as joint Guardian and was replaced by Sir Gilbert de Umfraville, Earl of Angus . In May 1301, Umfraville, Comyn, and Lamberton also resigned as joint Guardians and were replaced by Sir John de Soules as sole Guardian. Soules was appointed largely because he was part of neither
19305-500: Was captured and reduced: Linlithgow in 1310, Dumbarton in 1311, and Perth , by Bruce himself, in January 1312. Bruce also made raids into northern England and, landing at Ramsey in the Isle of Man , laid siege to Castle Rushen in Castletown, capturing it on 21 June 1313 and denying the English the island's strategic importance. The eight years of exhausting but deliberate refusal to meet
19448-435: Was defeated at the Battle of Methven . His wife and daughters and other women of the party were sent to Kildrummy in August under the protection of Bruce's brother, Neil Bruce , and the Earl of Atholl and most of his remaining men. Bruce fled with a small following of his most faithful men, including Sir James Douglas and Gilbert Hay , Bruce's brothers Thomas , Alexander , and Edward , as well as Sir Neil Campbell and
19591-406: Was focused towards Abbeyview , on a 97-hectare (240-acre) site on Aberdour Road; Touch, to the south of Garvock Hill; Bellyeoman and Baldridgeburn. Private housing became focused to the north of Garvock Hill and on the site of West Pitcorthie Farm. Dunfermline has experienced significant expansion since 1999, especially in an expansion corridor on the eastern side of the town. This growth has edged
19734-527: Was one of the claimants to the Scottish throne during the " Great Cause ". As Earl of Carrick , Robert the Bruce supported his family's claim to the Scottish throne and took part in William Wallace 's revolt against Edward I of England . Appointed in 1298 as a Guardian of Scotland alongside his chief rival for the throne, John Comyn of Badenoch , and William Lamberton , Bishop of St Andrews , Robert resigned in 1300 because of his quarrels with Comyn and
19877-596: Was probably brought up in a mixture of the Anglo-Norman culture of northern England and south-eastern Scotland, and the Gaelic culture of southwest Scotland and most of Scotland north of the River Forth . Annandale was thoroughly feudalised , and the form of Northern Middle English that would later develop into the Scots language was spoken throughout the region. Carrick was historically an integral part of Galloway , and though
20020-442: Was replaced by Dunfermline District under the wider Fife Regional Council in May 1975. The building ceased to be a seat of government after the district council was abolished in 1996, under the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 . Since then, the building has served as the home of the local area committee of Fife Council , as a venue for marriages and civil partnerships and as the local registration office. Works of art in
20163-857: Was succeeded by his son, David II . Robert's body is buried in Dunfermline Abbey , while his heart was interred in Melrose Abbey , and his internal organs embalmed and placed in St Serf's Church, Dumbarton . Robert the Bruce was born on 11 July 1274. His place of birth is not known for certain. It most likely was Turnberry Castle in Ayrshire , the head of his mother's earldom, despite claims that he may have been born in Lochmaben in Dumfriesshire, or Writtle in Essex. Robert de Brus, 1st Lord of Annandale ,
20306-463: Was taken to London to suffer the same fate. Shortly before the fall of Kildrummy Castle, the Earl of Atholl made a desperate attempt to take Queen Elizabeth de Burgh, Margery de Bruce, as well as King Robert's sisters and Isabella of Fife. They were betrayed a few days later and also fell into English hands, Atholl to be executed in London and the women to be held under the harshest possible circumstances. It
20449-492: Was the agricultural capital of northern Scotland, and much of its population was loyal to the Comyn family even after the defeat of the Earl of Buchan. Most of the Comyn castles in Moray, Aberdeen and Buchan were destroyed and their inhabitants killed. In less than a year Bruce had swept through the north and destroyed the power of the Comyns who had held vice-regal power in the north for nearly one hundred years. How this dramatic success
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