Dunfermline grandad pitches idea of murals of city heroes

Archie Frail, 72, has pitched the idea to local councillors of the two great historical figures being depicted on gable ends of buildings on High Street, he's sounded out interested artists and now hopes the public will give their support.

The grandfather, who lives in Dunfermline, told the Press: "I've been on this for about a year and I've done research, I'm trying to push for this and I want to go public with it.

"On the west gable wall I'd like to see a mural of Robert the Bruce, for the simple reason it's near Bruce Street.

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"On the other side I'd like to see a mural of Sir Thomas Randolph. The old Co-op that used to stand on the gap site, Randolph Street was named after him but not many people know his story.

Archie Frail would like to see murals of Dunfermline's historic heroes painted on these gable ends on High Street. (Image: Newsquest)"He was the nephew of Robert the Bruce, born to his step-sister, they became friends and fought in all the battles together.

"One of the most important things he did, shortly before Bannockburn, was he and 30 of his companions scaled and captured Edinburgh Castle, which denied the use of it to the English Army."

Now retired, the former Rosyth Dockyard worker recalled: "At school all the history we were taught was English history, 1066, the Battle of Bosworth Field and all that, no Scottish history.

"In the 1970s I picked up a book, the first of the Bruce Trilogy, and I thought 'I didn't know any of this'.

"From then on I was something of an amateur historian, but I do really like local history.

"I thought the idea was apt, as we've lost the street that bore his name, that we remember Randolph and keep that story alive.

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"In front of the murals, which would include their shields, you would have information boards, so visitors could find out all about Bruce and Sir Thomas, you could also have solar-powered uplighting and free standing planters with native flowers and plants.

Archie Frail suggested murals of King Robert the Bruce and Sir Thomas Randolph. (Image: Pixabay)"The main driver for this is their links to Dunfermline, especially as we now have city status.

"The council have got permission to turn the gap site into a city square, they've got money for it too, and I've spoken to two artists who would be interested."

Archie continued: "I met with local councillors, including James Calder, and local historian Sheila Pitcairn and I got some great feedback.

"At the meeting a lot of the people that attended didn't know of the link to Sir Thomas.

"At Bannockburn Randolph was one of the commanders of a schiltron, a great big regiment of spearsmen which looked like a hedgehog, and that was one of the main features of the Scottish Army at that time.

"Bruce gave him the title Earl of Moray. After Bruce died, the successor was his young son, David, who was just five at the time, so Thomas Randolph became regent until his death in 1332.

"Randolph was buried in the Abbey grounds, Robert the Bruce is buried at the Abbey, his wife and two of his children are buried there too.

"I hope we can do this for Dunfermline and the High Street."

Councillor Aude Boubaker-Calder has suggested that one of the murals could feature Saint Margaret. (Image: Newsquest)

Fife Council officers are already exploring the idea with a view to speaking with the building owners.

The next hurdles would be agreeing on the artwork, gaining planning permission – it's in a conservation area – and securing the funding.

Dunfermline councillor Aude Boubaker-Calder said: "I think the idea is brilliant, it would really bring some more colour and vibrancy to the High Street, and it's right that we should ask the community about it and get their views in the Press.

"Personally, I think it would be good to see a woman in the other mural, such as Queen Margaret who was such a big figure in Dunfermline's history.

"If the idea for the murals goes ahead, and with work on the city square to start next year, it would be a massive transformation for the centre of Dunfermline."