DUNFERMLINE's much-loved peacocks will officially receive the Freedom of the City of Dunfermline.
The decision was agreed at a meeting of Fife Council's Full Council today (Thursday).
Provost Jim Leishman and City of Dunfermline's Area Committee Convener, Cllr James Calder welcomed the move.
READ MORE: Fife Council to confirm civic honour for peacocks
“Dunfermline’s peacocks are very important to the city," they said. "By awarding them freedom of the city we’re recognising their valuable contribution and encouraging their presence in and around the city.
“We are planning a presentation ceremony to mark the award which is very well deserved!”
Suzi Ross, who leads the volunteers in the Peacocks in Pittencrieff Park group, has been fighting for the accolade for the last seven years.
"Everyone kept saying the birds have got the freedom of Dunfermline but I wasn't sure and so we spent hours and hours in the library going through all these council papers," she said.
"We're ecstatic that they'll get freedom of the city as the birds are iconic to Dunfermline and this gives them their rightful recognition.
"They have such a massive historical importance to Dunfermline and have drawn the community together and we are so very grateful for the support and love the birds and the volunteers have received."
Dunfermline Central councillor Derek Glen, who first raised a motion asking for the recognition for the peacocks last September, welcomed the decision.
"It is great to see that the idea has gained widespread public support, including from the Friends of Pittencrieff Park group, from our MP Douglas Chapman - who promoted the idea in the Dunfermline Press, and from our Provost, Cllr Jim Leishman who has been very supportive as well," he said.
"Not much needs to be said of the importance and significance to the people of Dunfermline of the peacocks (or perhaps more properly peafowl!) that live there.
"Peacocks are not just of value to those who live here: their story goes far beyond our city. Their Facebook page has more than eight million followers worldwide."
The peacocks were first introduced to Dunfermline by Henry Beveridge in 1905 following a trip to India.
One of the first members of the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust, he brought them to the park which had been gifted to the town by Andrew Carnegie only three years earlier.
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