AN ‘OLD Dunfermline’ calendar has been produced for 2025, and we start our trip down West Fife’s Memory Lane with one of the images that features in it, a magnificent view of Dunfermline Abbey from the gardens in Pittencrieff Park.
Our next image is an old postcard showing the Tower Bridge in Pittencrieff Park. Many people walk over this bridge when entering Pittencrieff Park from the Dunfermline Abbey entrance to the Glen without realising that there are in fact two bridges underneath their feet, one built in 1780 above the lower structure built in 1611.
The parapets of the bridge were created by the very prolific Dunfermline architect James Shearer in 1915.
The lower bridge had been built to carry the main road from the west of Dunfermline across the Tower Burn.
In the later 18th century the road was diverted away from what was then the grounds of Pittencrieff House and the level of the bridge and approach road raised to provide more level access to the house. Pittencrieff House and the estate were later purchased by Andrew Carnegie in 1902 and the grounds opened as a public park the following year.
Our next image is an old postcard looking east showing the stable block that served Pittencrieff House that has since been demolished. The telephone kiosk on the right is still there today. The Lily Pond is now situated where this stable block once was.
Perhaps the most significant Laird to have occupied Pittencrieff House, built around 1606, in light of his contribution to the future development and expansion of Dunfermline, was George Chalmers.
He lived there in the late 18th century at a time when the main entrance to Dunfermline from the west passed directly through Pittencrieff Park.
Chalmers funded the construction of a new bridge over the Town Burn further north from Pittencrieff House that is now Bridge Street, a continuation of the High Street that ended at that time where the City Chambers is today.
As well as opening up the town from the west, it added a further advantage to Chalmers in making his estate more private, as he was then able to exclude people from the Glen.
Pauline Glen has fond memories of time spent in Pittencrieff Park: “I spent many hot sunny days with my kids when they were small at the Glen. I always took a picnic and they played for hours in the paddling pool and park. Also had a good few animals then. Great time and brilliant memories.”
Fiona Cherrie also recalls spending time in Pittencrieff Park: “I couldn’t have been more excited getting on the bus and heading to Dunfermline for a day in the Glen.”
More images like these can be seen in DCLG as well as online at facebook.com/olddunfermline.
With thanks to Frank Connelly.
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