YOU can brush up on Dunfermline's rich and colourful history by strolling the cobbles of Bruce Street to view the new paintings celebrating two strong women.

The stunning public art installations, in honour of St Margaret and Moira Shearer, the famed ballet dancer and actress, have been unveiled as part of a project to create vibrant shopfronts and bring the town's past to life.

The lottery-backed initiative, which also saw the Bobbin Canopy erected last year, looks to revitalise and bring people back to one of the oldest streets in Dunfermline by transforming it into a unique piece of ‘living theatre’.

Created by Nicola Atkinson, 'St Margaret and our Angels' and 'Red Shoes' have been added to her earlier paintings on the street, celebrating the work of 19th-century local artist Andrew Blair and Dunfermline's Damask textile designs.

The artist, from Beautiful Materials Design Studio, said: "It is important the artworks created in my studio have the elements of discovery, engagement and participation.

"I believe an expressive and colourful approach can add to the wellbeing of the individual and the place.”

She explained that St Margaret and our Angels was inspired by the saint's life and the many detailed and brilliant stained glass windows that are found in churches.

The second artwork pays homage to Dunfermline-born Moira Shearer, who starred in the 1948 film, The Red Shoes.

Revealed between the theatre curtains on Bruce Street is the hand-painted set of the shoe shop, referencing the start of the movie where her character, Victoria Page, starts to dance.

Nicola is familiar with the world of film and theatre, having lived previously in Los Angeles, where she designed hand-painted stage sets for performances at the Museum of Contemporary Art and painted sets on feature films and animation in Hollywood.

Dunfermline Heritage Partnership, as part of their Heritage Lottery-funded Great Place project, have been working with shop owners to tell the stories of Bruce Street and Dunfermline.

Chair of the partnership, Derek Bottom, said: “These installations bring a reminder to us all of the rich heritage that exists in Dunfermline, including creative arts and pilgrimage, and complements the existing installations.

"It’s fabulous to see Bruce Street as a focal point to celebrate our heritage. A bustling street continuing to sustain creative industries in the 21st century.”

By bringing Dunfermline’s past to life, the aim is to help promote the town to visitors and enhance and develop the area to support local businesses.

The collection of stories and built heritage of Bruce Street has also led to the development of a ‘follow in the footsteps’ trail.

The digital tour can be found at https://dunfermline.tours/bruce-street/

There's also an opportunity for budding artists to get their own work displayed in the Berrylaw Perspective exhibition in June.

Curated by Nicola and Alan Grieve, it will be held in the Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum.

Taking Andrew Blair’s famous 1860 painting, ‘Dunfermline from the North-West’, as a starting point, the public have been invited to create their own landscape artwork from the perspective of Berrylaw Hill.

The deadline for entries is May 10 and the winning artwork will go on display.

Nicola’s work can also be seen at V&A Dundee from May 22, as part of the What if…?/Scotland exhibition.