A DUNFERMLINE grandad who is battling to get two huge artworks of great Scottish warriors at the new city square said he's frustrated at the lack of progress.

Archie Frail, 72, wants murals depicting King Robert the Bruce and Sir Thomas Randolph painted on two gable ends that face each other on High Street.

He outlined his vision to the Press in September and said he'd received popular backing, as well as support from local councillors, for his ideas.

But Archie said little has happened since and stated: "The first time I approached (local councillor) James Calder about the murals idea was in June.

"I've had various meetings with him and other Dunfermline councillors, who were all in favour, and local historian Sheila Pitcairn said she was keen.

Dunfermline Press: Archie wants the murals painted on the gable ends of buildings facing onto the new city square, which will replace the gap site on High Street.Archie wants the murals painted on the gable ends of buildings facing onto the new city square, which will replace the gap site on High Street. (Image: Fife Council)

"After it went in the Press I put it on Facebook and got about 120 comments, most of them were 'Let's go for it', but since then but nothing seems to be happening.

"They told me it would probably go out to public consultation but that hasn't happened either.

"I've been to all these meetings and done all this work and it seems like it's just been a waste of time."

Work on the city square, which will replace the gap site, is due to start in the Spring.

He continued: "I'd said I could start a Go Fund Me page but James said they've got the money.

"I don't know if there's a process they're going through as there's a lack of communication.

"He hinted there were issues with the owners of the buildings, I'm not sure if they've managed to contact them.

"It just seems they're not interested and they're pushing it further down the road."

The retired former Rosyth Dockyard worker wants a large artwork of Robert the Bruce on the west wall, nearest Bruce Street, and one of Randolph on the east wall, closest to where Randolph Street used to be.

It was lost when the old-Co-op buildings were knocked down but it was named after the warrior, who was the nephew of Robert the Bruce and fought alongside him.

Dunfermline Press: Archie Frail wants the gable ends of these buildings on High Street to be transformed with high quality murals of King Robert the Bruce and Sir Thomas Randolph.Archie Frail wants the gable ends of these buildings on High Street to be transformed with high quality murals of King Robert the Bruce and Sir Thomas Randolph. (Image: Newsquest)

Archie wants his story to be more widely known and added: "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."

A council spokesperson said they were still at the "discussion stage" and there was still "lots of work to do", including getting property owners' permission, planning and conservation area consent, securing funding and sourcing an artist to make sure the murals were of the highest quality.

Cllr Calder added that Sunil Varu, the council's economic adviser for Dunfermline, was "in discussions" with business owners about the proposals.

Archie concluded: "The council wasted £130,000 on those five public artworks (in 2013) and the one across from the bus station, the (Randolph Street) tower, is just useless and an eyesore.

"At least with the murals we could have something the public actually want."