DUNFERMLINE’S first ever ‘EuroWalk’ was launched on Saturday – discovering and celebrating the town’s historic, and contemporary, links with our European neighbours.

The walking tours, which have been starting up across Scotland, take you to local landmarks with links to European figures, places or historical events.

Dunfermline MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville met members of the Fife4Europe group on December 4 to commemorate the first event in the town.

She said: "It's really heartening to see the passion and hard work that has gone into making this initiative a reality and I'm certainly a big supporter of celebrating Dunfermline's historic and modern links with our European neighbours.

"As was made crystal clear at the recent SNP Conference, Scotland is European. We may have been dragged out of the European Union against our will but Brexit does not change the EU's importance to Scotland's future.

"However, only with the full powers of independence can we escape the stifling grasp of Westminster and rejoin our partners and friends around the EU table."

As capital of Scotland for several hundred years from the 11th century, Dunfermline forged early links with Europe. Saint Margaret and Queen Anne of Denmark are two royals of European birth that have shaped the town.

Saint Margaret started the Queen’s ferry across the Forth to help pilgrims going to St Andrews.

More recently, Europeans influenced Dunfermline’s weaving industry as damask weaving methods came from Huguenots in the 18th century.

Swiss people came here in the 1920s to help revitalise the town’s ailing textile industry by moving to silk production. Following the Second World War, the Polish population was enhanced as military personnel based here, particularly from Donibristle airfield, made their homes here.

Fife4Europe's Joanna Goodburn added: "Many thanks to Shirley-Anne for coming along and supporting our efforts and big credit to one of our local members, Martin Wilkinson, who has put the Dunfermline walk together.

"We would also like to encourage local people in Dunfermline to come forward with any ideas or knowledge they have themselves about European connections in the town.

"You can get in touch with us through the 'Feedback' button on our website, which can be found at eurowalks.scot."