An ‘Old Dunfermline’ calendar has been produced for 2024 featuring archive images of the City of Dunfermline over the past century, many of which have featured in ‘Memory Lane’ over the years.
The photographs highlight many of the changes that have taken place in the ancient capital of Scotland.
Our first image is an old postcard view of the Tower Bridge in Pittencrieff Park that is featured in this year’s calendar.
Many people walk over this bridge when entering Pittencrieff Park from the Dunfermline Abbey entrance to the Glen without realising that there are in fact two bridges underneath them, one built in 1780 above the lower structure built in 1611.
The parapets of the bridge were created by the very prolific Dunfermline architect James Shearer in 1915. The lower bridge had been built to carry the main road from the west of Dunfermline across the Tower Burn.
In the later 18th century the road was diverted away from what was then the grounds of Pittencrieff House and the level of the bridge and approach road raised to provide more level access to the house. Pittencrieff House and the estate were later purchased by Andrew Carnegie in 1902 and the grounds opened as a public park the following year.
Our next photograph is a very early one of the paddling pool (or ‘paddling pond’ as it is referred to in the caption on the postcard) in the Glen which are fondly remembered by anyone born and brought up in Dunfermline.
They were extremely popular and well frequented as Liz MacIntyre remembers and points out: “I loved those paddling pools and tell my grandsons about them. They would absolutely love them. Days full of fun, fresh air all day and a picnic. They were great memories.”
Pauline Glen has similar memories: “I spent many hot sunny days with my kids when they were small at the Glen. I always took a picnic and they played for hours in the paddling pool and park. Also had a good few animals then. Great time and brilliant memories.”
Fiona Cherrie recalls spending time in Pittencrieff Park: “I couldn’t have been more excited getting on the bus and heading to Dunfermline for a day in the Glen.”
Our next photograph shows a view down Bridge Street towards Pittencrieff Park with building work going on to create an entrance to the Glen. A set of wrought-iron gates was designed as a suitably grand entrance and was funded by the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust as a tribute to the widow of Andrew Carnegie, Louise Whitfield Carnegie.
The design incorporated her initials as well as the three letters ‘M’ for Margaret Morrison his mother, Margaret Carnegie their daughter, and Margaret Miller their grand-daughter.
The ‘Old Dunfermline’ calendar is on sale in the shop in Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Galleries as well as in Abbot House. It is also available online at olddunfermline.com/shop.
More images like these can also be seen in the Local Studies Department of Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Galleries, as well as at facebook.com/olddunfermline.
With thanks to Frank Connelly
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