SIR TOM Hunter and Baroness Shirley Williams are to take part in a range of events to celebrate the life and achievements of Dunfermline’s most famous son, Andrew Carnegie.

Sir Tom, entrepreneur and philanthropist, is to speak at an Enterprise Breakfast next Tuesday in Dunfermline – the first of the day’s events which will explore strong themes in Carnegie’s life including enterprise, lifelong education, philanthropy and peace.

Fife College, along with partners Visit Dunfermline and Previously Scotland’s History Festival, will welcome Sir Tom to the event, which is being held on Andrew Carnegie’s birthday, 25th November, at the college’s Carnegie Conference Centre.

He will address an audience of pre-invited guests which will include local business people, college students and staff, local community organisations and social entrepreneurs, all of whom have a keen interest in Carnegie, his life and legacy.

Principal of Fife College, Hugh Logan, is delighted to be involved in the event and said, “We are very fortunate in Fife to have a range of historical figures who we can learn from and be inspired by including Andrew Carnegie, George Lauder and Adam Smith. It is vital that we pause and celebrate their achievements and share and benefit positively from their great work.

“Andrew Carnegie in particular had a strong ethos towards lifelong education and it is therefore very fitting that we as a college get the chance to celebrate the work he did, and the work his trusts continue to do, in providing support and education for people in Dunfermline, in Fife and throughout the world.” Carnegie Day was created by Jo Freeman, Thomas Moffat and Ian Harrower and Mr Moffat, from Visit Dunfermline, said, “This is the second year we have held this event which not only helps us share the Andrew Carnegie story but also enables us to provide links and opportunities for people in Fife with others across the world.

“During the day we will be linking up with our friends in New York and Pittsburgh to celebrate the strong connections between Dunfermline and the Carnegie legacy in America.” The day’s events will also explore Carnegie’s views on world peace which was a strong theme throughout his life. Baroness Williams will lead a panel discussion in the evening, also at the Carnegie Conference Centre, to explore how individuals might begin to create dialogue between communities riven by centuries of historic conflict.

The free event will be hosted by Dunfermline-born film-maker, Richard Jobson, and will include a range of international panellists including Ilan Pappe, historian and author of ‘The Ethnic Cleansing in Palestine’.

Ian Harrower, from ‘Previously Scotland’s History Festival’, added, “Peace was also a very strong theme running through Andrew Carnegie’s life. He funded the creation of the Peace Palace in the Hague which represents the ongoing desire for peaceful reconciliation amongst countries throughout the world.

“In the current climate of wars and uncertainty around the globe this event promises to be very thought provoking and one which we are sure Andrew Carnegie himself would enjoy.” For a rundown of the day’s activities and information on booking for the ‘Peace and Reconciling the Past’ event visit www.visitdunfermline.com