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Fife Council

Park

Pittencrieff Park or “The Glen” as it is more commonly known as by the local people extends to 76 acres of grass areas, landscaping, statues, ponds, rockeries, nature walks, dog exercise area, play areas, historic areas, and was given in trust by Andrew Carnegie to the people of his birthplace, Dunfermline.

 

Before it was purchased 1902, by Andrew Carnegie, Pittencrieff park formed the estate and grounds of the house, owned by the Lairds of Pittencrieff. The Park can be entered from several entrances, the most impressive being the Louise Carnegie Gates at the bottom of Dunfermline High Street. Named after Andrew Carnegie’s wife, the gates were erected in 1929 and were refurbished in 2000. Other entrances are from Pittencrieff Street, Nethertown Broad Street, St Catherine’s Wynd as well as Moodie Street and St Margaret’s Street both of which lead to the scenic walk along the Tower Burn in the lowest part of the Park.

 

Pittencrieff Park plays host to many events throughout the year, very popular with people of all ages.

 

Coach parking is available in the main car park off Pittencrieff St.

Car parking is available in the two internal car parks as well as the main car park.

Disabled parking is available in the car park at the rear of the Glen Pavilion; parking is free of charge for the three car parks.

 

No unauthorised vehicles are permitted to drive within the main Park.

 

 

Facilities include:

 

 

The Glen Pavilion:

 

An excellent setting for weddings, seminars and functions of all types. Consisting of the main hall with a capacity of 600, a function suite with views of the Park, a spacious decorative foyer with a fountain, a restaurant style bar and adjoining sun terrace. The Pavilion has a dual purpose partitioned stage and accompanying amphitheatre which allows entertainment to be presented to either indoor or outdoor audiences, throughout the year. As well as the functions that are held here the Pavilion plays host to many exhibitions throughout the year, all enquiries regarding the Glen Pavilion call 01383 739272.

 

 

Lily Pond:

 

Built on the site of the old stables, this area is walled on three sides with the Lily Pond in the centre complete with goldfish. A tranquil setting to sit and enjoy the scenery of this area which was upgraded in 2006, a site unique to Pittencrieff Park.

 

 

Pittencrieff House Museum:

 

Pittencrieff House was built in 1610 and heightened in 1731. Here you can begin to discover among other things, the history of “Dunfermline Toon”. The story of the house reveals a number of owners, the last of whom was Andrew Carnegie. He never lived in the house however, and eventually gave it to the citizens of Dunfermline. From the outside you can see that Pittencrieff House was once a private residence.  In fact it was a home for nearly 300 years until Andrew Carnegie bought the grounds in 1903.  Now it houses a fully accessible exhibition called "Magic of the Glen" on the ground floor.  Come and find out how the Park came to be - it's a story involving fossils and furry creatures covering 350 million years.

Children can hunt for Calum the Cartoon Cockroach whose ancestors lived at the time when coal was still growing here in tropical swamps.  Magic of the Glen also features fabulous photographs of the buildings in the Park and people at play.  The 3D "touchy" model of the Glen shows just what a dramatic landscape this is.  A free self-guided walk leaflet is available from the Museum.

ADMISSION FREE 

The museum is open April – September 11.00am – 5.00pm daily and October – March 11.00am – 4.00pm daily

 

 

Formal Gardens & Glasshouses

 

Laid out, colourfully in front of the Glass Hall conservatory is a Formal Garden. In days gone by this area was used by Pittencrieff House as a kitchen garden and orchard. Now developed round the laird's walk with its own breathtaking vistas of the Abbey and Palace ruins, the garden is a kaleidoscope of colour throughout the spring and summer. It is a peaceful, relaxing setting in which to idle away the afternoon in the warmth of a summer sun.

Completing the formal gardens is the 200ft Glass Hall conservatory. Built in 1973 on the site of the old conservatories the present structure is divided into three sections. The main area with its wooden bridge over the running stream and its regal display of flowers creates for the visitor an entire new world, the exotic plant world. Distributed throughout the three areas the visitor can see on exhibit plants from many countries. Look out too for the exhibit which features the fossilised trees.

The greenhouses are also available for wedding photos for which there is a small fee, all enquiries to 01592 583266.

 

 

Play Areas:

 

There are three play areas within Pittencrieff Park, one at the Nethertown entrance and  another at the Pittencrieff entrance adjacent to the main car park,which has been refurbished in September 2008,  these are equipped with chutes, swings, climbing frames and roundabouts. All have safety surfacing.  The third play area is also located near the Pittencrieff entrance.  This play area was provided to celebrate the centenary of the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust, and was opened by  Her Royal Majesty the Queen in June 2003.

 

Public Toilets

Ladies/gents/disabled and baby changing facilities.  There is no charge for use.  The toilets are located at the Lily pond.  There are also two APC toilets which are available for use all the year round, for a small charge of 20p.  These are located at the west side of the pavilion, and the Louise Carnegie Gates at the High Street entrance to the park.

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Friends of Pittencrieff Park

The Friends of Pittencrieff Park is a charity registered in Scotland which was established in Scotland in 2005 to work towards the improvement and maintenance of Pittencrieff Park for the benefit of the public.  Click here to visit their website (link takes you to an external website).

Disabled Access

Yes

Resources

• Café   • Disabled Parking   • Disabled Toilets   • Footpaths   • Parking Facilities - Free   • Picnic Facilities   • Playground   • Public Toilets       Resource details

For more information contact

Mark Horsburgh, Area Parks Team Leader (Dunfermline) 
Tel: 01592 260595 Fax: 01592 646823 Contact Mark Horsburgh online
By Post: Fife Council, Dunnikier Park, Dunnikier Way, Kirkcaldy,