THE USA’s top representative in Scotland, Consul General Jack Hillmeyer, today (Friday) visited Dunfermline and saw where Andrew Carnegie’s rags-to-riches story began.

Mr Hillmeyer started his visit at the Carnegie Birthplace Museum before meeting Fife Provost Jim Leishman at the City Chambers.

The consul general, based in Edinburgh, rounded off his trip by looking around Dunfermline Abbey.

Mr Hillmeyer said: “It’s been fabulous to visit Dunfermline and on such a lovely day as well.

“I’ve been in my post almost a year and I’ve very much been looking forward to this visit.

“It’s been great to hear some of the history of Dunfermline. I didn’t know King Charles I was born here, for example.

“Andrew Carnegie is one of the best examples of the long links between the United States and Scotland.

“His model of philanthropy is something that American businessmen of today, such as Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, are seeking to emulate and so his influence lives on.

“There were, of course, also controversies in his business life and we don’t overlook or minimise those issues.”

Mr Hillmeyer said he hoped to return to Dunfermline with the new US ambassador to the UK, Jane Hartley, when she visits Scotland.

He went on: “She is a member of the board of trustees of the Carnegie Endowment Trust for Peace.

“I’ve spoken to her about Carnegie and Dunfermline and so it would be good if she can come here when she visits Scotland.”

The visit was arranged by Visit Dunfermline director Billy George. 

He told the Press: “I met Jack Hillmeyer at the recent July 4 celebrations organised by the American Consulate in Edinburgh.

"At Visit Dunfermline we are always looking for new and innovative ways in which to market Dunfermline as a tourist destination. 

"We thought that given the strong connections between Dunfermline and the United States it would be advantageous to bring the Consul General over to what was once the ancient capital of Scotland to see for himself what Dunfermline has to offer."