A GUEST of honour from the United States came to Dunfermline last week to catch a preview of a brand new Andrew Carnegie exhibition.

Matthew Barzun, American ambassador to the UK, visited the Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum last Monday.

He was given the chance to take a look at the new Carnegie Treasures exhibition, which features a unique collection of 56 presentation caskets which were gifted to the Dunfermline-born industrialist.

Head boys and girls from West Fife high schools as well as Dunfermline businessmen welcomed the ambassador, who commented on Carnegie’s impressive legacy and the ways in which everyone could follow his example by helping to improve the lives of those around them.

The caskets on display were presented to Carnegie to give him ‘freedom’ of towns and cities all over the world in return for the many gifts he gave to communities, including free public libraries, schools and colleges.

The exhibition was officially opened to the public on Wednesday by Fife Provost Jim Leishman and will run until 30th November in celebration of Carnegie’s influence across the British Isles and beyond.