The Fife Babies Memorial Garden in Dunfermline's Public Park was officially opened on Sunday by the Provost of Fife, Jim Leishman.

It's an area of remembrance for all infants who were cremated but whose ashes were not returned to their parents.

At the private gathering, Fife Council chief executive Ken Gourlay reaffirmed the formal apology made to the families affected and went on to say: "A place of acknowledgement and remembrance is of great importance.

"Whilst the garden and sculpture provide the memorial place, the memorial tree provides the personal tribute to the babies.

Dunfermline Press: The site for the Fife Babies Memorial Garden was approved by Dunfermline councillors in February, with a 6-4 vote in favour. The site for the Fife Babies Memorial Garden was approved by Dunfermline councillors in February, with a 6-4 vote in favour. (Image: Fife Council)

"The garden and sculpture are stunning.

"And the garden is set to only grow more beautiful throughout the seasons of the year. I hope families will find comfort when they visit.”

Melanie Malcolm spoke at the service on behalf of the parents and families and expressed what the memorial means to them.

Some parents have also chosen to add a leaf to the memorial tree, a personal message dedicated to their baby.

The site in the southern section of the park, which now includes a 10 feet high metal sculpture, circular benches, a garden, new paths and the planting of native trees, shrubs and wildflowers, was narrowly approved by Dunfermline councillors in February after a 6-4 vote.

There is also a a 'quiet contemplation space' with seating looking towards the artwork, next to the steel memorial tree.

Upon officially opening the memorial garden, Provost Jim Leishman said: “The memorial garden is a credit to the parents and a heartfelt remembrance to their baby.

"The plants have been picked to give bloom and colour throughout the year and when the spring comes, the bulbs planted all around the garden will provide a carpet of colour.

"The intricate sculpture, titled ‘Entwined’ is very moving.

Dunfermline Press: The memorial is in the southern section of Public Park, close to the bandstand and the railway station.The memorial is in the southern section of Public Park, close to the bandstand and the railway station. (Image: Newsquest)

"Its title was chosen by the parents involved and I hope you will find comfort in the many elements and character of the design.

"The parents, the landscape designers, the artists and the landscapers have all come together to create a place that is intimately meaningful yet publicly inclusive.”

The garden was designed by Andy McLatchie, director of DWA Landscape Architects Ltd, to complement the park and provide a place of peace and tranquillity.

The sculpture is a bespoke piece of artwork designed in collaboration with the parents and created by Kevin Paxton of ArtFe.

And bringing the garden from plan to reality are landscapers, Alex Butters Landscape Ltd.

The baby ashes scandal was uncovered in late 2012.

Bereaved parents of stillborn babies and infants who died days after birth were told there were no cremated remains to bury, when in fact the ashes had been disposed of without their knowledge by staff at Mortonhall Crematorium in Edinburgh.

An investigation was ordered by the Scottish Government and it transpired this had been the practice for decades and that ashes had not also been returned to parents by council staff at crematoria in Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy.

Fife Council apologised and have since paid compensation to 85 parents.

A working group was set up in 2019 to look at the creation of a memorial and the public park was chosen as the preferred site in July last year.