Interested in the History and Heritage of Dunfermline & West Fife?

Let us show you how to get involved and improve your overall wellbeing.

Connecting to our region’s heritage will instil an appreciation for the traditions and values that have shaped our community and this region. This connection offers us a sense of belonging, purpose, identity, and self-worth, all of which can and will enhance the feeling of overall wellbeing.

Joining local groups, learning about the past, volunteering or simply taking a quiet walk in a beautiful landscape, can help increase our self-confidence and resilience, and build social connections. It can also help to provide a legacy for future generations by improving the quality of the places we inhabit.

This website was created by the Dunfermline & West Fife: Wellbeing Through Heritage project and aims to highlight many of the ways in which you can get involved with the heritage and history of Dunfermline and the West Fife villages.

Find out about Wellbeing Through Heritage events

Since 2021, we have been delivering a range of activities across Dunfermline and West Fife which support and encourage wellbeing alongside our project partners Carnegie Dunfermline Trust, Fife Coast and Countryside Trust, Fife Council, and OnFife.

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Monarchs, Mines and Music- the story of Dunfermline & West Fife

With its haunting ruins, bustling harbours and historic towns and villages, West Fife has played a crucial role in the nation’s story as an area of royal, religious, commercial, industrial, and cultural significance.

So, whether you are interested in medieval saints, mining heritage or 20th century music, we can help you find ways to connect with the heritage of Dunfermline & West Fife by yourself or with others. Take part in local activities, volunteer and connect with like-minded people, try something new, engage with new members of the community, learn more about the area and yourself and feel more connected than ever.

Royalty

With connections dating back to the 11th century, the region has been a frequent home for the Scottish and British royal houses, many of whom were buried in Dunfermline Abbey.

Pilgrim Ways and a Vibrant Sacred History

Home to the shrines of St Margaret (Dunfermline) and St Serf (Culross), the region has a spiritual tradition stretching into the distant past and a fine selection of sacred places and buildings

Andrew Carnegie

The influence of the renowned philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, born in a weaver’s cottage in Dunfermline in 1835, can still be seen today in buildings like the Dunfermline and Kinross Carnegie Libraries and green spaces like Pittencrieff Park

Historic Places and Buildings

From the medieval centre of the ‘Old Grey Toun’ of Dunfermline to the historic cores of Kincardine, Culross, Charlestown and Limekilns, the region abounds with ancient places and listed buildings

Industry

With specialisms in coal mining, quarrying, textile and linen production and paper making, industry has, and continues to, play a crucial role in shaping the landscape and the lives of communities across the region

Song and Dance

From medieval poets to ballet dancers like Moira Shearer, West Fife has always had a significant musical and cultural influence

Explore the Heritage of Dunfermline & West Fife

Dunfermline & West Fife:

Wellbeing Through Heritage project

Dunfermline and West Fife is a place with a unique and important heritage that plays a key role in Scotland’s story. Our heritage has the potential to play a vital part in the regeneration and wellbeing of our city and surrounding areas.

Since 2018 Dunfermline Heritage Partnership has been successful securing funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for the Great Place Scheme (2018-2021) and the Dunfermline and West Fife: Wellbeing Through Heritage project (2021 -2024).

The Wellbeing Through Heritage project will focus on accessing the heritage of Dunfermline and West Fife to deliver a series of facilitated and enriched activities to promote wellbeing throughout our community. This programme of activities will adopt the NHS’s “5 Ways to Wellbeing” approach of; Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning, and Give. We will offer a variety of tools and experiences in the hope of inspiring more people to take an active role in their own wellbeing, for the purpose of creating an even more vibrant, engaged community.

We believe the Wellbeing Through Heritage project is the start of a wider conversation with communities across Dunfermline and West Fife to help coordinate organisations and individuals to promote the use of the built and natural heritage sites for wellbeing activities.