PITTENCRIEFF Park in Dunfermline has been named as one of the best in Scotland.

Fields in Trust ran a competition to find the UK's favourite park and although the Glen missed out on top spot, it was well backed by its many supporters.

It was one of six in Scotland that achieved 'local favourite' status – reserved for parks placed in the top 20 per cent of all votes across the UK – in the contest.

Councillor James Calder, convenor of the City of Dunfermline area committee, said: "The people of Dunfermline always think of the Glen with affection.

"This national recognition only emphasises what a fantastic facility we have on our doorstep.

"We should be proud of what we have and all make sure we look after this extraordinary park."

More than 30,000 people from across the UK voted for their favourite park.

The overall winner was Penrhos Coastal Park in Holyhead, Wales. National winner in Scotland was Aberdeen’s Seaton Park.

Pittencrieff Park or The Glen, as it is known to the locals, spreads over 76 acres in the centre of Dunfermline.

It contains several children's play areas with one section that contains fully inclusive equipment.

The park is famed for its resident, and much loved, peacocks and was bought for the people of Dunfermline by Andrew Carnegie in 1902.

The park contains the site of Malcolm Canmore's Tower – Dunfermline was the seat of royal power for Malcolm III and his queen, St Margaret of Scotland, in 11th century Scotland. It is also the site of Pittencrieff House and the Glen Pavilion.

Gillian Taylor, chief executive of Carnegie Dunfermline Trust, said: "Andrew Carnegie said that buying Pittencrieff Estate and Glen in 1902 and giving it to the people of Dunfermline was his most ‘soul satisfying’ gift.

"He would be delighted to see how much it is still loved and enjoyed 120 years later."

The park is owned by the trust and maintained by a small on-site team of Fife Council gardeners.

They are supported by a group of volunteers and the charity, the Friends of Pittencrieff Park, who work hard to generate additional funding.

They all work in partnership to maintain the park and its many amenities.

The UK’s Favourite Parks award is organised by green space charity Fields in Trust who, for almost 100 years, have legally protected parks and green spaces ensuring they will always be available for future generations to enjoy.

Chief Executive of Fields in Trust, Helen Griffiths, said: We’ve had a fantastic response to the celebration of our parks from all across the UK and I’d like to thank everyone who nominated and voted over the summer.

"The UK is home to such a diverse range of green spaces, and we hope that this award has encouraged people to truly appreciate their local parks. Our work to legally protect green spaces for good means we’re well aware of the threats they face and how important it is value and celebrate them,”