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Inverkeithing

Inverkeithing (/ˌɪnvərˈkðɪŋ/ listen; Scottish Gaelic: Inbhir Chèitinn) is a coastal town and parish in Fife, Scotland, on the Firth of Forth, 9½ miles north west of Edinburgh city centre.

Inverkeithing
Town & Royal Burgh
View of Inverkeithing
Inverkeithing Town Coat of Arms
Inverkeithing
Location within Fife
Population4,820 (mid-2020 est.)[4]
OS grid referenceNT130829
• Edinburgh9 mi (14 km) S
Council area
Lieutenancy area
CountryScotland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townInverkeithing
Postcode districtKY11
Dialling code01383
PoliceScotland
FireScottish
AmbulanceScottish
UK Parliament
Scottish Parliament
List of places
UK
Scotland
56°01′54″N 3°23′50″W / 56.0318°N 3.39713°W / 56.0318; -3.39713

A town of ancient origin, Inverkeithing was given Royal burgh status during the reign of Malcolm IV in the 12th century.[5] It was an important centre of trade during the Middle Ages, and its industrial heritage built on quarrying and ship breaking[6] goes back to the 19th century. The town centre is now a conservation area.[7] The town has an estimated population of 4,820 (2020),[8] while the civil parish has a population of 8,090 (2011).[9]

Today, Inverkeithing is a busy commuter hub: its railway station is a main stop for trains on the Fife Circle Line that runs north from Edinburgh, and it is home to the Ferrytoll Park & Ride, which offers bus connections across the Forth and to the rest of Fife. Inverkeithing is a commuter town of Edinburgh.

Inverkeithing lies on the Fife Coastal Path, one of Scotland's Great Trails.

Etymology edit

The name is of Scottish Gaelic origin, Inbhir Céitein. Inbhir is a common element in place names with Celtic roots and means "confluence, inflow" (see Aber and Inver), thus "mouth of the Keithing/Céitein". The Keithing is the name of a small river or burn that runs through the southern part of the town. Simon Taylor notes that the name Keithing probably contains the Pictish (Brythonic) *coet, "wood", so the Keithing burn would have meant "stream that runs through or past or issues from woodland".[10][11] William Watson in 1910 hypothesised an etymological link between the hydronym Keithing and the Welsh cethin, "dusky" (c.f. Bryncethin).[12]

Geography edit

Inverkeithing lies on the north coast of the Firth of Forth, about 9.5 miles (15 kilometres) from Edinburgh city centre and 6 mi (10 km) from Edinburgh Airport. The town is bounded to the south by the North Queensferry peninsula and to the east by Inverkeithing Bay and Letham Hill Wood. Modern Inverkeithing is almost contiguous with the neighbouring settlements of North Queensferry, Rosyth and Dalgety Bay. The nearest city is Dunfermline, 4 mi (6 km) northwest.

Topographically, Inverkeithing is situated on a raised terrace sloping down towards Inverkeithing Bay, which cuts in to the south of the town, separating it from the North Queensferry peninsula. There are views from the town centre across the Firth of Forth to Edinburgh, Arthur's Seat, and the Pentland Hills. Its medieval centre lay along High Street and Church Street, but the town has since expanded to encompass areas to the north, east, and west. The Keithing Burn flows from forest plantations to the northeast of the town past the railway junction, before falling into the Inner Bay of Inverkeithing Bay 14 mi (400 m) south of the town centre.[13]

Inverkeithing is bypassed by the M90 motorway, which links Fife to Lothian and Edinburgh via the Queensferry Crossing. The town is served by Inverkeithing railway station, a hub for the rail network to and from Fife. Passengers travelling to Edinburgh are carried over the Forth Bridge. Inverkeithing and its surroundings are also served by the Ferrytoll Park & Ride to the south of the town, which provides car parking and access to bus services to Edinburgh city centre, Edinburgh Airport, Livingston, South Gyle, other parts of Fife, as well as links to the Scottish Citylink coach network.

Inverkeithing lies on the Fife Coastal Path, a long-distance footpath designated as one of Scotland's Great Trails. Coming from North Queensferry, the path winds around the Inner Bay, through Inverkeithing proper, and past the Ballast Bank public park towards Dalgety Bay.[14]

Climate edit

Climate data for Inverkeithing (20 m asl, averages 1981–2010)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 7.0
(44.6)
7.5
(45.5)
9.5
(49.1)
11.8
(53.2)
14.7
(58.5)
17.2
(63.0)
19.1
(66.4)
18.9
(66.0)
16.5
(61.7)
13.1
(55.6)
9.6
(49.3)
7.0
(44.6)
12.7
(54.9)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 1.4
(34.5)
1.5
(34.7)
2.8
(37.0)
4.3
(39.7)
6.8
(44.2)
9.7
(49.5)
11.5
(52.7)
11.4
(52.5)
9.4
(48.9)
6.5
(43.7)
3.7
(38.7)
1.3
(34.3)
5.9
(42.6)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 67.5
(2.66)
47.0
(1.85)
51.7
(2.04)
40.5
(1.59)
48.9
(1.93)
61.3
(2.41)
65.0
(2.56)
60.2
(2.37)
63.7
(2.51)
75.6
(2.98)
62.1
(2.44)
60.8
(2.39)
704.2
(27.72)
Average rainy days (≥ 1 mm) 12.5 9.4 9.9 8.8 9.6 9.6 9.5 9.7 10.2 12.4 11.2 11.4 124.2
Mean monthly sunshine hours 53.5 78.5 114.8 144.6 188.4 165.9 172.2 161.5 128.8 101.2 71.0 46.2 1,426.6
Source: Met Office[15]

History edit

Roman Period edit

Inverkeithing has ancient origins: there is some evidence that during the Roman conquest of Britain, Roman governor Agricola established an encampment in the area between AD 78–87 during his war against the Caledonians.[5] By AD 142, when construction on the Antonine Wall began on the southern shores of the River Forth, it is likely any Roman settlement ended.[16]

Medieval Period edit

The town's early history is tied to the founding of a church by a holy man named St Erat, supposedly a follower of St Ninian. Local tradition (recorded in a plaque on the parish church) holds that St Erat founded a church in Inverkeithing in the 5th century, but he might be identical to a 'St Theriot' venerated in nearby Fordell, who is thought to have lived in the 8th century. Because the first written references to St Erat come from the 16th century, they do not provide hard evidence for Inverkeithing's early history, or even for the existence of the saint.[17]

Inverkeithing is first documented in 1114, when it is mentioned in the foundation charter of Scone Abbey granted by King Alexander I.[18][19] In 1163 it appears—as "Innirkeithin"—in Pope Alexander III's summons of the clergy of the British Isles to the Council of Tours.[20] Inverkeithing was made one of Fife's first royal burghs as early as the 1160s, during Malcolm IV's reign, which brought with it legal and trading privileges. The settlement was an obvious choice to be created a burgh, as its location at the narrowest crossing point of the Firth of Forth and its sheltered bay were both strategically important.[5]

One of the earliest accounts of life in Inverkeithing comes from the 14th-century Lanercost Chronicle. At Easter 1282, the Chronicle relates, the parish priest of Inverkeithing had "revived the profane rites of Priapus, collecting young girls from the villages, and compelling them to dance in circles to the honour of Father Bacchus, [...] singing and dancing himself and stirring them to lust by filthy language." When the priest exhibited similar behaviour during Lent, a scandalised citizen stabbed him to death.[21]

 
Statue of King Alexander III on St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh

The town was the last place that King Alexander III was seen before he died on 19 March 1286. The King had crossed the Forth from Dalmeny in a storm to pay a birthday visit to Queen Yolande, who was staying in Kinghorn. On arriving in Inverkeithing, the party was met by one of the burgesses of the town, Alexander Le Saucier (whose name indicates he was either linked to the King's kitchen, or the master of the local saltpans), who tried to convince the King to stay the night.[22] However, the pleas fell on deaf ears, and Alexander set off into the rainy night with two local guides.[23] The group lost its way near Kinghorn and got separated from the King, who was found dead at the bottom of a steep embankment on the next day, having presumably fallen from his horse.[24]

Edward I ("Longshanks") stayed in Inverkeithing on 2 March 1304 on his return to Scotland during the First War of Scottish Independence. This is evidenced by letters written here as he made his way from Dunfermline to St Andrews.[25]

Throughout much of the Middle Ages, Inverkeithing was an important resting place and staging post for pilgrims. Travelers on their way to the shrines of Saint Margaret in Dunfermline and Saint Andrew in St Andrews would often stop in the town after crossing the Firth of Forth via the Queen's Ferry.[26] A hostel for pilgrims in Inverkeithing is documented as a possession of Dryburgh Abbey as early as 1196.[26] A Franciscan friary was established in Inverkeithing in the mid-14th century, which was also intended to serve religious travelers. It is one of the few remnants of a house of the Greyfriars to have survived in Scotland.[5] Due to Inverkeithing's importance for medieval pilgrims, it is one of the towns along the Fife Pilgrim Way established in 2019.[27]

Post-Medieval Period edit

16th Century edit

 
Thomsoun's House from 1617

In November 1504 there was a plague scare at Dunfermline Palace, and four African women with John Mosman, the court apothecary, came to stay in Inverkeithing before crossing to South Queensferry.[28]

Inverkeithing was one of the few Scottish burghs to have four stone gates—known as "ports"—around its medieval settlement. Stone walls were added in 1557, the last remains of which can still be found on the south side of Roman Road. Until that time, Inverkeithing enjoyed a successful trade in wool, fleece and hides, and served as a hub of commerce for Fife. The town's flourishing was evidenced by its weekly markets and five annual fairs.[5]

17th Century edit

However, trade had begun to decrease by the 16th century, and Inverkeithing slowly became poorer than its neighbouring settlements. Due to political and social instability, caused by both plague and war, this downward trend continued in the 17th century. In 1654, Dutch cartographer Joan Blaeu mentions Inverkeithing as "formerly a flourishing market" in his Nova Fifae Descriptio.[29]

Inverkeithing was a hotbed for witch trials in the 17th century. In 1621 six local women were tried for witchcraft in the Tolbooth.[30] Between 1621 and 1652, at least 51 people were executed for witchcraft in Inverkeithing, an unusually large number for a town of this size; the much larger Kirkcaldy only saw 18 executions in the same period.[31] The reason is believed to be a combination of cholera outbreaks, famine, and the appointment of Rev. Walter Bruce—a known witch hunter—as minister of St Peter's.[32] Bruce also played a pivotal role in initiating the so-called Great Scottish witch hunt of 1649–50. The executions were carried out at Witch Knowe to the south of town, which today is partially within Hope Street Cemetery.[32][33]

 
Clan MacLean memorial cairn at Pitreavie

On 20 July 1651, the Battle of Inverkeithing was fought on two sites in the area, one north of the town close to Pitreavie Castle, the other to the south on and around the peninsula of North Queensferry and the isthmus connecting it to Inverkeithing. The battle took place during Oliver Cromwell's invasion of the Kingdom of Scotland following the Third English Civil War. It was an attempt by the English Parliamentarian forces to outflank the army of Scottish Covenanters loyal to Charles II at Stirling and get access to the north of Scotland.[34] This was the last major engagement of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms and led to Scotland passing into Cromwell's control. Cromwell's 4,500 troops defeated a Scottish force of roughly equal size, forcing the Covenanters to abandon Stirling and march south to support Charles II. Of the estimated 800 MacLean clansmen who fought in the battle, only 35 were said to have survived, although Covenanter officer Sir James Balfour estimated the clan's losses at around 100.[35] An apocryphal account states that the Pinkerton Burn ran red with blood for three days afterwards. This was a significant episode in the history of Clan MacLean, and the 20th century poet Sorley MacLean mentions Inverkeithing in one of his poems.

18th Century edit

Daniel Defoe, writing of Inverkeithing in his Tour thro' the Whole Island of Great Britain in 1724, found the town to be "still populous, but decayed, as to what it has formerly been".[36] Defoe also relates that Inverkeithing had briefly become known in England in the early 1700s for a crime of passion in which Robert Balfour, 5th Lord Balfour of Burleigh, murdered an Inverkeithing schoolmaster who had married a woman Balfour loved—the nobleman was later sentenced to death, but escaped captivity by exchanging clothes with his sister.[37] Defoe's sentiments about Inverkeithing were echoed by Sir William Burrell when he toured Scotland in 1758, who found it a "mean, miserable, paultry town, teaching us what to expect from its neighbouring villages".[38] At the time, the parish had a population of over 2,200,[25] and industry had become both smaller in scale and more diverse. Lead and coal were mined, with coal being exported in substantial quantities. There was an iron foundry and, by the late 18th century, the town had a brewery, tan works, soap works, a salt pan and timber works.[5] A whisky distillery, using the water of Keithing Burn, was opened in 1795, and operated until the mid-19th century.[39] Its buildings, near the railway line in Keith Place, were later used for oil works.[40] The importance of fishing declined in line with increasing industrialisation and, by 1891, Inverkeithing only had 14 resident fishermen.[41]

19th Century edit

In 1821, merchant and politician Sir Robert Preston directed the development of Preston Crescent, a new road to the south of the town on the banks of the Inner Bay. Alongside a small stone bridge (today a C-listed building), a number of plain classical houses were built to accommodate retired sea captains, with most of the buildings surviving to this day.[42] Nearby Preston Hill is also named for Sir Robert, who erected a flagpole there intended to aid marine traffic.[43]

 
Mauretania 2 arriving at Thos. W. Ward

By the mid-19th century quarrying, engineering and shipbuilding were major industries in the area and, in 1831, the population increased by over 600 in a decade, due to an influx of labourers employed in greenstone quarries. The quarries provided material for major works, such as the extension of Leith Pier and some of the piers of the Forth Bridge.[25] By 1870, engineering and shipbuilding had largely ceased, and the harbour lost freight traffic to the railways. As a result, Inverkeithing was no longer on a through route for freight. The opening of the Forth Bridge in 1890, however, led to another surge in population and new building. By 1925, quarrying remained a major operation and, whilst the saltworks, iron foundry and sawmill had closed, a papermaking industry had developed at the harbour.[5] Caldwell's paper mill would remain in operation until 2003, with the factory being demolished in 2012.[44]

20th Century onwards edit

At the beginning of the 20th century, Inverkeithing became known for its shipbreaking at Thos. W. Ward's yard on the Inner Bay.[45] Among others, the revolutionary battleship HMS Dreadnought was dismantled there in 1923,[46] as was the hull of the Titanic's sister ship RMS Olympic in 1937,[47] the Nazi Party cruise ship Robert Ley in 1947,[48] and the second RMS Mauretania in 1966. Today, the yard is a metal recycling facility.[49][50]

Landmarks edit

 
St Peter's Kirk

Inverkeithing is home to 55 listed buildings, including 6 of category A;[51] the highest possible level of classification for "buildings of national or international importance, either architectural or historic; or fine, little-altered examples of some particular period, style or building type".[52]

St. Peter's Church edit

The B-listed parish church of St. Peter stands in its large churchyard on the east side of Church Street. The church was founded by Waltheof of Allerdale, son of Gospatrick, as a wooden Celtic church before being adapted into a Norman stone structure, which was bequeathed by the monks of Dunfermline Abbey in 1139.[53] The Norman foundations were reused for the 13th century Gothic structure, and a tower was added in the 14th century. In pre-Reformation times the church had altars to St. Michael, the Holy Blood, John the Baptist, St. Catherine, the Holy Rood, St. Laurence, St. Ninian and St. Mary. In 1611 it absorbed the adjacent parish of Rosyth.

Extensive fire damage in 1825 reduced it to the height of its lower window sills, although the tower survived, but it was rebuilt.[53][54] The main part of the church is thus a large plain neo-Gothic 'preaching box' of 1826–27, designed by James Gillespie Graham.[55] Built of soft sandstone, the tower—the only remaining part of the pre-Reformation church—is very weathered, and has been partially refaced. The tower is crowned by a lead-covered spire from 1835 designed by Thomas Bonnar, whose elaborate gabled dormers saw clock faces being added in 1883.[56]

The church's roomy interior—now deprived of its galleries—is graced by one of the finest medieval furnishings to survive in any Scottish parish church. This is the large and well-preserved sandstone font of around 1398, which was rediscovered buried under the church, having been concealed at the Reformation. Its octagonal bowl is decorated with angels holding heraldic shields.[56] These include the royal arms of the King of Scots, and of Queen Anabella Drummond, the consort of King Robert III. The high quality of the carving is explained by it being a royal gift to the parish church, Inverkeithing being a favourite residence of Queen Anabella. Most of the interior visible today was designed by Peter MacGregor Chalmers and dates from 1900.[55] Notable ministers include Robert Roche (Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1613) and witch hunter Walter Bruce, who served the unique church role of 'Constant Moderator' from 1662 until 1673.

Hospitium of the Grey Friars edit

 
Hospitium of the Grey Friars

The heart of the medieval town is located around the High Street and Church Street.[53] On the High Street lies one of the best surviving examples of a friary building in Scotland, the category-A listed Hospitium of the Grey Friars (also known as the Franciscan order).[57] The friary may date from the late 13th century, with a charter in 1268 mentioning the building of a church and convent for the Franciscans.[26] There are no further mentions of the friary until 1384, but at the time, it would have been a thriving hub for pilgrims to Dunfermline and St Andrews, comprising accommodations, cloisters, storage cellars, and a chapel.[26] The friary was sold to a private buyer in 1559 during the Scottish Reformation and remodeled into a tenement. The hospitium visible today once formed the west end of the friary, and it was the only building preserved during the 16th-century alterations, while the rest of the complex was used as a quarry.[26][56] An antiquarian renovation in 1932–1935 restored the 14th-century details for which there was evidence, and otherwise retained the 17th-century finishes. The building was originally cruciform, but only its central part remains, including several tunnel vaults formerly used for storage.[58][57] The foundations of the north range of the complex, together with a well and several cellars, can be seen in the public gardens next to the hospitium.[26] The building is now mainly used as a community centre.

 
Mercat Cross

Inverkeithing Mercat Cross edit

Inverkeithing contains one of the finest remaining examples of a mercat cross in Scotland.[53] The cross, a category-A listed historic monument,[59] is believed to have been built as a memorial of the marriage between the Duke of Rothesay and the daughter of the Earl of Douglas.[53] Originally, the cross stood on the north end of the High Street, before moving to face the Tolbooth and then to its present site at the junction between Bank Street and High Street, further up the road.[53][60][61] As of 2021, there are plans to move it to a more prominent position in the Market Square, as part of a £3.6 million, five-year programme of improvements to the town centre.[62] The core of the mercat cross is thought to date from the late 14th century, with the octagonal shaft from the 16th century.[53][60] Two of the shields on the cross bear the arms of Queen Anabella Drummond and the Douglas family.[53] Later, a unicorn and a shield depicting the St Andrew's Cross were added in 1688, the work of John Boyd of South Queensferry.[53][61]

Other places of Interest edit

Located on Bank Street, between numbers 2–4, is Thomsoun's House, which dates from 1617 and was reconstructed in 1965. Its carved sandstone pediment includes thistle-shaped finials and the initials of the first owners John Thomson ("I.T.") and Bessie Thomsoun ("B.T.").[60][63]

Opposite St Peter's Church is the A-listed L-plan tower house known as Fordell's Lodging, which dates from 1671 and was built by Sir John Henderson of Fordell.[53] On King Street is the much altered B-listed Rosebery House, once owned by the Rosebery family,[53] and possibly the oldest surviving house in the burgh.[64] The unusual monopitch lean-to roof is locally known as a 'toofall', and dates the house to no later than the early 16th century.[64] It was owned by the Earl of Dunbar before being purchased by the Earl of Rosebery.[53]

 
Inverkeithing Town House

On Townhall Street is the A-listed Inverkeithing Town House (also known as the Tolbooth), which displays the old town coat of arms above the front door.[53][60] The Renaissance tower, at the western end of the building, is the oldest part of the tolbooth, dating from 1755.[61] A three-storey classical building followed in 1770 as a replacement for the previous tolbooth.[61] This consists of a prison or the 'black hole' on the ground floor, the court room on the middle and the debtors' prison on the top.[61]

Moffat Cottage on Heriot Street was the home of missionary Robert Moffat, father-in-law of Victorian explorer David Livingstone.[65] Information from local sources and a commemorative plaque indicate that Livingstone occasionally stayed at the cottage, including after his first return to Britain during 1856/57; he also may have built the summerhouse.[66] Today the cottage is a category C Listed building.

St. Peter's Episcopal Church, dated 1908, is a classic example of Edwardian church design, built to accommodate the growing number of episcopal residents following the church's re-establishment in Edinburgh in 1878.[67] The church has well kept gardens, is at the southern approach of the town from the Forth Bridges, and is a Category C listed historic building.[68]

Governance edit

Inverkeithing forms part of the Dunfermline and West Fife Westminster constituency, as of 2023 held by Douglas Chapman MP for the Scottish National Party (SNP).[69] For the Scottish Parliament Inverkeithing forms part of the Cowdenbeath constituency[70] which falls within the Mid Scotland and Fife electoral region. As of 2023, the constituency is represented by Annabelle Ewing, also of the SNP.[71]

In local government, Inverkeithing is part of the Inverkeithing and Dalgety Bay (ward) of Fife Council. Inverkeithing Community Council handles local town matters, and is currently chaired by Helen Doig.

Demography edit

The town had an estimated population of around 4,820 in mid-2020,[8] and its civil parish has a population of 8,090. This makes Inverkeithing the 15th largest settlement in Fife.[72] Inverkeithing's age demographics are similar to that of Scotland as a whole, with a slightly higher share of people of working age.

Age Demographics (2020 / 2022)[73][74]
Ages Inverkeithing Fife Scotland
0 – 14 years 15.6 15.6 15.3
15 – 65 years 65.3 62.9 64.6
65+ years 19.1 21.6 20.1

Statistics are collected by the Scottish Government for the Inverkeithing & Dalgety Bay electoral ward.[75]

Transport edit

Inverkeithing railway station is a stop for the Fife Circle line, Scotrail's Edinburgh to Dundee service, and the LNER Aberdeen to London King's Cross, and Cross Country's Aberdeen to Penzance route.

The town is also served by regular direct bus services by Stagecoach and Bay Travel to Edinburgh, Edinburgh airport, and much of Fife. Ferrytoll Park and Ride, on Hope Street, is a stop for many longer distance bus routes too making either way over the Forth Road Bridge.

Culture & Sport edit

The town hosted Inverkeithing United from 1906 to 1963, winners of the Scottish Junior Cup in 1912–13. Inverkeithing became home to a football club again in 1996 with the founding of Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts, who entered their senior team into the pyramid in 2018 and currently compete in the East of Scotland League Premier Division.[76] The club played at Ballast Bank on the Inner Bay until 2021, when the home games were moved to Dalgety Bay; the condition of the grounds at Inverkeithing would otherwise prevent promotion to the Lowland League.[77]

The Ballast Bank grounds also play host to Inverkeithing's annual highland games, which have been staged here since at least 1914, and in the town since 1646,[78] and which draw crowds of up to 5000 spectators.[79] In 2014, the Inverkeithing Highland Games were featured in season 7, episode 1 of the US television show Duck Dynasty, in which cast members participated in some of the events.[80] In conjunction with the games, the town hosts its annual Lamma's Fair Celebrations - held on Lamma's Day (August 1) - which traditionally celebrates the first harvest of the year and involves market stalls, food, drink and a funfair. The fair and games was described in the Inverkeithing Burgh records of 1648 as "a great day for fun, frolic, fit races, ale and drunken folks, gentle and simple".[78]

Inverkeithing is also home to Inverkeithing Bowling Club, founded in 1901. The club was one of the first Bowling Clubs in Scotland to admit female players starting 1919, and has produced Scottish national players at the British Isles Championships and Scottish triples winners.[81]

Education edit

The town is served by Inverkeithing Primary School and Inverkeithing High School, both located on Hillend Road to the northeast of the town centre. The high school's catchment area includes most of the surrounding towns such as Dalgety Bay, Rosyth, and North Queensferry, resulting in a school population of over 1,500.[82] The original primary school—a C-listed building from 1894, located behind Fordell's Lodging—was destroyed by a fire in 2018, after having been disused for a number of years.[83] As of late 2023, plans for the primary school site are still being developed.[84]

Notable people edit

Gallery edit

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ . www.ainmean-aite.scot. Archived from the original on 10 October 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  2. ^ "Fife Place-name Data :: Inverkeithing". fife-placenames.glasgow.ac.uk.
  3. ^ Ann McCluskey. "Land, Sea and Sky – Travelogue" (PDF).
  4. ^ "Mid-2020 Population Estimates for Settlements and Localities in Scotland". National Records of Scotland. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g . Fife Council. 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 July 2019. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  6. ^ Holme, Richard (2 October 2021). "The Rise and Fall of the United Kingdom Shipbreaking Industry from 1945 to 1995". The Mariner's Mirror. 107 (4): 453–475. doi:10.1080/00253359.2021.1978261. ISSN 0025-3359. S2CID 239769925.
  7. ^ Fife Council (2019). "INVERKEITHING CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL and MANAGEMENT PLAN" (PDF). Fife historic buildings.
  8. ^ a b "National Records of Scotland". National Records of Scotland. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  9. ^ Census of Scotland 2011, Table KS101SC – Usually Resident Population, publ. by National Records of Scotland. Web site http://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/ retrieved March 2016. See "Standard Outputs", Table KS101SC, Area type: Civil Parish 1930
  10. ^ Taylor, Simon (2006) The Place-Names of Fife, Shaun Tyas, Donington
  11. ^ "Fife Place-name Data :: Inverkeithing". fife-placenames.glasgow.ac.uk.
  12. ^ Watson, William J (1910). The Celtic Review.
  13. ^ "Keithing Burn". scottish-places.info. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  14. ^ "Limekilns to Burntisland".
  15. ^ "Inverkeithing climate information". Met Office. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  16. ^ "About the Wall | Antonine Wall". www.antoninewall.org. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  17. ^ Griffiths, Emma (2 October 2020). "Inverkeithing Heritage Regeneration" (Podcast). Fife Historic Buildings Trust. Event occurs at 8:40. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  18. ^ "Transaction: Foundation of Scone Priory and grant of possessions". People of Medieval Scotland (POMS).
  19. ^ "Notes on Inverkeithing Parish Church and the Royal Burgh of Inverkeithing" (PDF). Inverkeithing Parish Church. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  20. ^ Jones, John A. Rupert (1917). Rosyth. Dunfermline: A. Romanes & Son. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
  21. ^ "The chronicle of Lanercost, 1272–1346; : Maxwell, Herbert Eustace, Sir, bart., 1845–1937". Internet Archive. pp. 29–30. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  22. ^ Moffat, Alistair (2015). Scotland: A history from earliest times. Edinburgh: Birlinn Ltd. ISBN 978-1-78027-280-1. OCLC 931094353.
  23. ^ Bonner, Elizabeth Ann (1997). "The Origins of the Wars of Independence in Scotland, 1290–1296". Journal of the Sydney Society for Scottish History. 5. ISSN 1320-4246.
  24. ^ Mount, Toni (2015). Dragon's Blood & Willow Bark: The Mysteries of Medieval Medicine. Stroud, Glos.: Amberley. p. 23. ISBN 978-1445643830.
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External links edit

  • Gazetteer for Scotland webpages for Inverkeithing
  • Inverkeithing on FifeDirect

inverkeithing, listen, scottish, gaelic, inbhir, chèitinn, coastal, town, parish, fife, scotland, firth, forth, miles, north, west, edinburgh, city, centre, scottish, gaelic, inbhir, chèitinn, scots, innerkethyn, nickname, divit, town, royal, burghview, town, . Inverkeithing ˌ ɪ n v er ˈ k iː d ɪ ŋ listen Scottish Gaelic Inbhir Cheitinn is a coastal town and parish in Fife Scotland on the Firth of Forth 9 miles north west of Edinburgh city centre InverkeithingScottish Gaelic Inbhir Cheitinn 1 Scots Innerkethyn etc 2 Nickname Divit 3 Town amp Royal BurghView of InverkeithingInverkeithing Town Coat of ArmsInverkeithingLocation within FifePopulation4 820 mid 2020 est 4 OS grid referenceNT130829 Edinburgh9 mi 14 km SCouncil areaFifeLieutenancy areaFifeCountryScotlandSovereign stateUnited KingdomPost townInverkeithingPostcode districtKY11Dialling code01383PoliceScotlandFireScottishAmbulanceScottishUK ParliamentDunfermline and West FifeScottish ParliamentCowdenbeathList of places UK Scotland 56 01 54 N 3 23 50 W 56 0318 N 3 39713 W 56 0318 3 39713A town of ancient origin Inverkeithing was given Royal burgh status during the reign of Malcolm IV in the 12th century 5 It was an important centre of trade during the Middle Ages and its industrial heritage built on quarrying and ship breaking 6 goes back to the 19th century The town centre is now a conservation area 7 The town has an estimated population of 4 820 2020 8 while the civil parish has a population of 8 090 2011 9 Today Inverkeithing is a busy commuter hub its railway station is a main stop for trains on the Fife Circle Line that runs north from Edinburgh and it is home to the Ferrytoll Park amp Ride which offers bus connections across the Forth and to the rest of Fife Inverkeithing is a commuter town of Edinburgh Inverkeithing lies on the Fife Coastal Path one of Scotland s Great Trails Contents 1 Etymology 2 Geography 2 1 Climate 3 History 3 1 Roman Period 3 2 Medieval Period 3 3 Post Medieval Period 3 3 1 16th Century 3 3 2 17th Century 3 3 3 18th Century 3 3 4 19th Century 3 3 5 20th Century onwards 4 Landmarks 4 1 St Peter s Church 4 2 Hospitium of the Grey Friars 4 3 Inverkeithing Mercat Cross 4 4 Other places of Interest 5 Governance 6 Demography 7 Transport 8 Culture amp Sport 9 Education 10 Notable people 11 Gallery 12 See also 13 References 14 External linksEtymology editThe name is of Scottish Gaelic origin Inbhir Ceitein Inbhir is a common element in place names with Celtic roots and means confluence inflow see Aber and Inver thus mouth of the Keithing Ceitein The Keithing is the name of a small river or burn that runs through the southern part of the town Simon Taylor notes that the name Keithing probably contains the Pictish Brythonic coet wood so the Keithing burn would have meant stream that runs through or past or issues from woodland 10 11 William Watson in 1910 hypothesised an etymological link between the hydronym Keithing and the Welsh cethin dusky c f Bryncethin 12 Geography editInverkeithing lies on the north coast of the Firth of Forth about 9 5 miles 15 kilometres from Edinburgh city centre and 6 mi 10 km from Edinburgh Airport The town is bounded to the south by the North Queensferry peninsula and to the east by Inverkeithing Bay and Letham Hill Wood Modern Inverkeithing is almost contiguous with the neighbouring settlements of North Queensferry Rosyth and Dalgety Bay The nearest city is Dunfermline 4 mi 6 km northwest Topographically Inverkeithing is situated on a raised terrace sloping down towards Inverkeithing Bay which cuts in to the south of the town separating it from the North Queensferry peninsula There are views from the town centre across the Firth of Forth to Edinburgh Arthur s Seat and the Pentland Hills Its medieval centre lay along High Street and Church Street but the town has since expanded to encompass areas to the north east and west The Keithing Burn flows from forest plantations to the northeast of the town past the railway junction before falling into the Inner Bay of Inverkeithing Bay 1 4 mi 400 m south of the town centre 13 Inverkeithing is bypassed by the M90 motorway which links Fife to Lothian and Edinburgh via the Queensferry Crossing The town is served by Inverkeithing railway station a hub for the rail network to and from Fife Passengers travelling to Edinburgh are carried over the Forth Bridge Inverkeithing and its surroundings are also served by the Ferrytoll Park amp Ride to the south of the town which provides car parking and access to bus services to Edinburgh city centre Edinburgh Airport Livingston South Gyle other parts of Fife as well as links to the Scottish Citylink coach network Inverkeithing lies on the Fife Coastal Path a long distance footpath designated as one of Scotland s Great Trails Coming from North Queensferry the path winds around the Inner Bay through Inverkeithing proper and past the Ballast Bank public park towards Dalgety Bay 14 Climate edit Climate data for Inverkeithing 20 m asl averages 1981 2010 Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec YearMean daily maximum C F 7 0 44 6 7 5 45 5 9 5 49 1 11 8 53 2 14 7 58 5 17 2 63 0 19 1 66 4 18 9 66 0 16 5 61 7 13 1 55 6 9 6 49 3 7 0 44 6 12 7 54 9 Mean daily minimum C F 1 4 34 5 1 5 34 7 2 8 37 0 4 3 39 7 6 8 44 2 9 7 49 5 11 5 52 7 11 4 52 5 9 4 48 9 6 5 43 7 3 7 38 7 1 3 34 3 5 9 42 6 Average rainfall mm inches 67 5 2 66 47 0 1 85 51 7 2 04 40 5 1 59 48 9 1 93 61 3 2 41 65 0 2 56 60 2 2 37 63 7 2 51 75 6 2 98 62 1 2 44 60 8 2 39 704 2 27 72 Average rainy days 1 mm 12 5 9 4 9 9 8 8 9 6 9 6 9 5 9 7 10 2 12 4 11 2 11 4 124 2Mean monthly sunshine hours 53 5 78 5 114 8 144 6 188 4 165 9 172 2 161 5 128 8 101 2 71 0 46 2 1 426 6Source Met Office 15 History editRoman Period edit Inverkeithing has ancient origins there is some evidence that during the Roman conquest of Britain Roman governor Agricola established an encampment in the area between AD 78 87 during his war against the Caledonians 5 By AD 142 when construction on the Antonine Wall began on the southern shores of the River Forth it is likely any Roman settlement ended 16 Medieval Period edit The town s early history is tied to the founding of a church by a holy man named St Erat supposedly a follower of St Ninian Local tradition recorded in a plaque on the parish church holds that St Erat founded a church in Inverkeithing in the 5th century but he might be identical to a St Theriot venerated in nearby Fordell who is thought to have lived in the 8th century Because the first written references to St Erat come from the 16th century they do not provide hard evidence for Inverkeithing s early history or even for the existence of the saint 17 Inverkeithing is first documented in 1114 when it is mentioned in the foundation charter of Scone Abbey granted by King Alexander I 18 19 In 1163 it appears as Innirkeithin in Pope Alexander III s summons of the clergy of the British Isles to the Council of Tours 20 Inverkeithing was made one of Fife s first royal burghs as early as the 1160s during Malcolm IV s reign which brought with it legal and trading privileges The settlement was an obvious choice to be created a burgh as its location at the narrowest crossing point of the Firth of Forth and its sheltered bay were both strategically important 5 One of the earliest accounts of life in Inverkeithing comes from the 14th century Lanercost Chronicle At Easter 1282 the Chronicle relates the parish priest of Inverkeithing had revived the profane rites of Priapus collecting young girls from the villages and compelling them to dance in circles to the honour of Father Bacchus singing and dancing himself and stirring them to lust by filthy language When the priest exhibited similar behaviour during Lent a scandalised citizen stabbed him to death 21 nbsp Statue of King Alexander III on St Giles Cathedral EdinburghThe town was the last place that King Alexander III was seen before he died on 19 March 1286 The King had crossed the Forth from Dalmeny in a storm to pay a birthday visit to Queen Yolande who was staying in Kinghorn On arriving in Inverkeithing the party was met by one of the burgesses of the town Alexander Le Saucier whose name indicates he was either linked to the King s kitchen or the master of the local saltpans who tried to convince the King to stay the night 22 However the pleas fell on deaf ears and Alexander set off into the rainy night with two local guides 23 The group lost its way near Kinghorn and got separated from the King who was found dead at the bottom of a steep embankment on the next day having presumably fallen from his horse 24 Edward I Longshanks stayed in Inverkeithing on 2 March 1304 on his return to Scotland during the First War of Scottish Independence This is evidenced by letters written here as he made his way from Dunfermline to St Andrews 25 Throughout much of the Middle Ages Inverkeithing was an important resting place and staging post for pilgrims Travelers on their way to the shrines of Saint Margaret in Dunfermline and Saint Andrew in St Andrews would often stop in the town after crossing the Firth of Forth via the Queen s Ferry 26 A hostel for pilgrims in Inverkeithing is documented as a possession of Dryburgh Abbey as early as 1196 26 A Franciscan friary was established in Inverkeithing in the mid 14th century which was also intended to serve religious travelers It is one of the few remnants of a house of the Greyfriars to have survived in Scotland 5 Due to Inverkeithing s importance for medieval pilgrims it is one of the towns along the Fife Pilgrim Way established in 2019 27 Post Medieval Period edit 16th Century edit nbsp Thomsoun s House from 1617In November 1504 there was a plague scare at Dunfermline Palace and four African women with John Mosman the court apothecary came to stay in Inverkeithing before crossing to South Queensferry 28 Inverkeithing was one of the few Scottish burghs to have four stone gates known as ports around its medieval settlement Stone walls were added in 1557 the last remains of which can still be found on the south side of Roman Road Until that time Inverkeithing enjoyed a successful trade in wool fleece and hides and served as a hub of commerce for Fife The town s flourishing was evidenced by its weekly markets and five annual fairs 5 17th Century edit However trade had begun to decrease by the 16th century and Inverkeithing slowly became poorer than its neighbouring settlements Due to political and social instability caused by both plague and war this downward trend continued in the 17th century In 1654 Dutch cartographer Joan Blaeu mentions Inverkeithing as formerly a flourishing market in his Nova Fifae Descriptio 29 Inverkeithing was a hotbed for witch trials in the 17th century In 1621 six local women were tried for witchcraft in the Tolbooth 30 Between 1621 and 1652 at least 51 people were executed for witchcraft in Inverkeithing an unusually large number for a town of this size the much larger Kirkcaldy only saw 18 executions in the same period 31 The reason is believed to be a combination of cholera outbreaks famine and the appointment of Rev Walter Bruce a known witch hunter as minister of St Peter s 32 Bruce also played a pivotal role in initiating the so called Great Scottish witch hunt of 1649 50 The executions were carried out at Witch Knowe to the south of town which today is partially within Hope Street Cemetery 32 33 nbsp Clan MacLean memorial cairn at PitreavieOn 20 July 1651 the Battle of Inverkeithing was fought on two sites in the area one north of the town close to Pitreavie Castle the other to the south on and around the peninsula of North Queensferry and the isthmus connecting it to Inverkeithing The battle took place during Oliver Cromwell s invasion of the Kingdom of Scotland following the Third English Civil War It was an attempt by the English Parliamentarian forces to outflank the army of Scottish Covenanters loyal to Charles II at Stirling and get access to the north of Scotland 34 This was the last major engagement of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms and led to Scotland passing into Cromwell s control Cromwell s 4 500 troops defeated a Scottish force of roughly equal size forcing the Covenanters to abandon Stirling and march south to support Charles II Of the estimated 800 MacLean clansmen who fought in the battle only 35 were said to have survived although Covenanter officer Sir James Balfour estimated the clan s losses at around 100 35 An apocryphal account states that the Pinkerton Burn ran red with blood for three days afterwards This was a significant episode in the history of Clan MacLean and the 20th century poet Sorley MacLean mentions Inverkeithing in one of his poems 18th Century edit Daniel Defoe writing of Inverkeithing in his Tour thro the Whole Island of Great Britain in 1724 found the town to be still populous but decayed as to what it has formerly been 36 Defoe also relates that Inverkeithing had briefly become known in England in the early 1700s for a crime of passion in which Robert Balfour 5th Lord Balfour of Burleigh murdered an Inverkeithing schoolmaster who had married a woman Balfour loved the nobleman was later sentenced to death but escaped captivity by exchanging clothes with his sister 37 Defoe s sentiments about Inverkeithing were echoed by Sir William Burrell when he toured Scotland in 1758 who found it a mean miserable paultry town teaching us what to expect from its neighbouring villages 38 At the time the parish had a population of over 2 200 25 and industry had become both smaller in scale and more diverse Lead and coal were mined with coal being exported in substantial quantities There was an iron foundry and by the late 18th century the town had a brewery tan works soap works a salt pan and timber works 5 A whisky distillery using the water of Keithing Burn was opened in 1795 and operated until the mid 19th century 39 Its buildings near the railway line in Keith Place were later used for oil works 40 The importance of fishing declined in line with increasing industrialisation and by 1891 Inverkeithing only had 14 resident fishermen 41 19th Century edit In 1821 merchant and politician Sir Robert Preston directed the development of Preston Crescent a new road to the south of the town on the banks of the Inner Bay Alongside a small stone bridge today a C listed building a number of plain classical houses were built to accommodate retired sea captains with most of the buildings surviving to this day 42 Nearby Preston Hill is also named for Sir Robert who erected a flagpole there intended to aid marine traffic 43 nbsp Mauretania 2 arriving at Thos W WardBy the mid 19th century quarrying engineering and shipbuilding were major industries in the area and in 1831 the population increased by over 600 in a decade due to an influx of labourers employed in greenstone quarries The quarries provided material for major works such as the extension of Leith Pier and some of the piers of the Forth Bridge 25 By 1870 engineering and shipbuilding had largely ceased and the harbour lost freight traffic to the railways As a result Inverkeithing was no longer on a through route for freight The opening of the Forth Bridge in 1890 however led to another surge in population and new building By 1925 quarrying remained a major operation and whilst the saltworks iron foundry and sawmill had closed a papermaking industry had developed at the harbour 5 Caldwell s paper mill would remain in operation until 2003 with the factory being demolished in 2012 44 20th Century onwards edit At the beginning of the 20th century Inverkeithing became known for its shipbreaking at Thos W Ward s yard on the Inner Bay 45 Among others the revolutionary battleship HMS Dreadnought was dismantled there in 1923 46 as was the hull of the Titanic s sister ship RMS Olympic in 1937 47 the Nazi Party cruise ship Robert Ley in 1947 48 and the second RMS Mauretania in 1966 Today the yard is a metal recycling facility 49 50 Landmarks edit nbsp St Peter s KirkInverkeithing is home to 55 listed buildings including 6 of category A 51 the highest possible level of classification for buildings of national or international importance either architectural or historic or fine little altered examples of some particular period style or building type 52 St Peter s Church edit The B listed parish church of St Peter stands in its large churchyard on the east side of Church Street The church was founded by Waltheof of Allerdale son of Gospatrick as a wooden Celtic church before being adapted into a Norman stone structure which was bequeathed by the monks of Dunfermline Abbey in 1139 53 The Norman foundations were reused for the 13th century Gothic structure and a tower was added in the 14th century In pre Reformation times the church had altars to St Michael the Holy Blood John the Baptist St Catherine the Holy Rood St Laurence St Ninian and St Mary In 1611 it absorbed the adjacent parish of Rosyth Extensive fire damage in 1825 reduced it to the height of its lower window sills although the tower survived but it was rebuilt 53 54 The main part of the church is thus a large plain neo Gothic preaching box of 1826 27 designed by James Gillespie Graham 55 Built of soft sandstone the tower the only remaining part of the pre Reformation church is very weathered and has been partially refaced The tower is crowned by a lead covered spire from 1835 designed by Thomas Bonnar whose elaborate gabled dormers saw clock faces being added in 1883 56 The church s roomy interior now deprived of its galleries is graced by one of the finest medieval furnishings to survive in any Scottish parish church This is the large and well preserved sandstone font of around 1398 which was rediscovered buried under the church having been concealed at the Reformation Its octagonal bowl is decorated with angels holding heraldic shields 56 These include the royal arms of the King of Scots and of Queen Anabella Drummond the consort of King Robert III The high quality of the carving is explained by it being a royal gift to the parish church Inverkeithing being a favourite residence of Queen Anabella Most of the interior visible today was designed by Peter MacGregor Chalmers and dates from 1900 55 Notable ministers include Robert Roche Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1613 and witch hunter Walter Bruce who served the unique church role of Constant Moderator from 1662 until 1673 Hospitium of the Grey Friars edit nbsp Hospitium of the Grey FriarsThe heart of the medieval town is located around the High Street and Church Street 53 On the High Street lies one of the best surviving examples of a friary building in Scotland the category A listed Hospitium of the Grey Friars also known as the Franciscan order 57 The friary may date from the late 13th century with a charter in 1268 mentioning the building of a church and convent for the Franciscans 26 There are no further mentions of the friary until 1384 but at the time it would have been a thriving hub for pilgrims to Dunfermline and St Andrews comprising accommodations cloisters storage cellars and a chapel 26 The friary was sold to a private buyer in 1559 during the Scottish Reformation and remodeled into a tenement The hospitium visible today once formed the west end of the friary and it was the only building preserved during the 16th century alterations while the rest of the complex was used as a quarry 26 56 An antiquarian renovation in 1932 1935 restored the 14th century details for which there was evidence and otherwise retained the 17th century finishes The building was originally cruciform but only its central part remains including several tunnel vaults formerly used for storage 58 57 The foundations of the north range of the complex together with a well and several cellars can be seen in the public gardens next to the hospitium 26 The building is now mainly used as a community centre nbsp Mercat CrossInverkeithing Mercat Cross edit Inverkeithing contains one of the finest remaining examples of a mercat cross in Scotland 53 The cross a category A listed historic monument 59 is believed to have been built as a memorial of the marriage between the Duke of Rothesay and the daughter of the Earl of Douglas 53 Originally the cross stood on the north end of the High Street before moving to face the Tolbooth and then to its present site at the junction between Bank Street and High Street further up the road 53 60 61 As of 2021 there are plans to move it to a more prominent position in the Market Square as part of a 3 6 million five year programme of improvements to the town centre 62 The core of the mercat cross is thought to date from the late 14th century with the octagonal shaft from the 16th century 53 60 Two of the shields on the cross bear the arms of Queen Anabella Drummond and the Douglas family 53 Later a unicorn and a shield depicting the St Andrew s Cross were added in 1688 the work of John Boyd of South Queensferry 53 61 Other places of Interest edit Located on Bank Street between numbers 2 4 is Thomsoun s House which dates from 1617 and was reconstructed in 1965 Its carved sandstone pediment includes thistle shaped finials and the initials of the first owners John Thomson I T and Bessie Thomsoun B T 60 63 Opposite St Peter s Church is the A listed L plan tower house known as Fordell s Lodging which dates from 1671 and was built by Sir John Henderson of Fordell 53 On King Street is the much altered B listed Rosebery House once owned by the Rosebery family 53 and possibly the oldest surviving house in the burgh 64 The unusual monopitch lean to roof is locally known as a toofall and dates the house to no later than the early 16th century 64 It was owned by the Earl of Dunbar before being purchased by the Earl of Rosebery 53 nbsp Inverkeithing Town HouseOn Townhall Street is the A listed Inverkeithing Town House also known as the Tolbooth which displays the old town coat of arms above the front door 53 60 The Renaissance tower at the western end of the building is the oldest part of the tolbooth dating from 1755 61 A three storey classical building followed in 1770 as a replacement for the previous tolbooth 61 This consists of a prison or the black hole on the ground floor the court room on the middle and the debtors prison on the top 61 Moffat Cottage on Heriot Street was the home of missionary Robert Moffat father in law of Victorian explorer David Livingstone 65 Information from local sources and a commemorative plaque indicate that Livingstone occasionally stayed at the cottage including after his first return to Britain during 1856 57 he also may have built the summerhouse 66 Today the cottage is a category C Listed building St Peter s Episcopal Church dated 1908 is a classic example of Edwardian church design built to accommodate the growing number of episcopal residents following the church s re establishment in Edinburgh in 1878 67 The church has well kept gardens is at the southern approach of the town from the Forth Bridges and is a Category C listed historic building 68 Governance editInverkeithing forms part of the Dunfermline and West Fife Westminster constituency as of 2023 held by Douglas Chapman MP for the Scottish National Party SNP 69 For the Scottish Parliament Inverkeithing forms part of the Cowdenbeath constituency 70 which falls within the Mid Scotland and Fife electoral region As of 2023 the constituency is represented by Annabelle Ewing also of the SNP 71 In local government Inverkeithing is part of the Inverkeithing and Dalgety Bay ward of Fife Council Inverkeithing Community Council handles local town matters and is currently chaired by Helen Doig Demography editThe town had an estimated population of around 4 820 in mid 2020 8 and its civil parish has a population of 8 090 This makes Inverkeithing the 15th largest settlement in Fife 72 Inverkeithing s age demographics are similar to that of Scotland as a whole with a slightly higher share of people of working age Age Demographics 2020 2022 73 74 Ages Inverkeithing Fife Scotland0 14 years 15 6 15 6 15 315 65 years 65 3 62 9 64 665 years 19 1 21 6 20 1Statistics are collected by the Scottish Government for the Inverkeithing amp Dalgety Bay electoral ward 75 Transport editInverkeithing railway station is a stop for the Fife Circle line Scotrail s Edinburgh to Dundee service and the LNER Aberdeen to London King s Cross and Cross Country s Aberdeen to Penzance route The town is also served by regular direct bus services by Stagecoach and Bay Travel to Edinburgh Edinburgh airport and much of Fife Ferrytoll Park and Ride on Hope Street is a stop for many longer distance bus routes too making either way over the Forth Road Bridge Culture amp Sport editThe town hosted Inverkeithing United from 1906 to 1963 winners of the Scottish Junior Cup in 1912 13 Inverkeithing became home to a football club again in 1996 with the founding of Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts who entered their senior team into the pyramid in 2018 and currently compete in the East of Scotland League Premier Division 76 The club played at Ballast Bank on the Inner Bay until 2021 when the home games were moved to Dalgety Bay the condition of the grounds at Inverkeithing would otherwise prevent promotion to the Lowland League 77 The Ballast Bank grounds also play host to Inverkeithing s annual highland games which have been staged here since at least 1914 and in the town since 1646 78 and which draw crowds of up to 5000 spectators 79 In 2014 the Inverkeithing Highland Games were featured in season 7 episode 1 of the US television show Duck Dynasty in which cast members participated in some of the events 80 In conjunction with the games the town hosts its annual Lamma s Fair Celebrations held on Lamma s Day August 1 which traditionally celebrates the first harvest of the year and involves market stalls food drink and a funfair The fair and games was described in the Inverkeithing Burgh records of 1648 as a great day for fun frolic fit races ale and drunken folks gentle and simple 78 Inverkeithing is also home to Inverkeithing Bowling Club founded in 1901 The club was one of the first Bowling Clubs in Scotland to admit female players starting 1919 and has produced Scottish national players at the British Isles Championships and Scottish triples winners 81 Education editThe town is served by Inverkeithing Primary School and Inverkeithing High School both located on Hillend Road to the northeast of the town centre The high school s catchment area includes most of the surrounding towns such as Dalgety Bay Rosyth and North Queensferry resulting in a school population of over 1 500 82 The original primary school a C listed building from 1894 located behind Fordell s Lodging was destroyed by a fire in 2018 after having been disused for a number of years 83 As of late 2023 plans for the primary school site are still being developed 84 Notable people editDavid Livingstone explorer and missionary occasionally lived in Inverkeithing between 1855 and 1865 66 65 James Anderson manager of Mount Vernon the estate to which George Washington retired after his presidency 85 convinced Washington to establish a whisky distillery on the estate 86 Richard de Inverkeithing 13th century cleric Chamberlain of King Alexander II and Bishop of Dunkeld Gordon Durie ex East Fife Glasgow Rangers Chelsea and Scotland striker studied at Inverkeithing High School Samuel Greig Russian admiral and Father of the Russian Navy Stephen Hendry MBE former professional snooker player and multiple world champion went to Inverkeithing High School 87 Craig Levein footballer Scotland manager 2009 2014 manager at Heart of Midlothian 2017 2019 studied at Inverkeithing High School 88 Sir Duncan McDonald FRSE engineer and industrialist Natalie McGarry SNP politician and former Member of Parliament MP for Glasgow East 89 Robert Moffat missionary to Africa the first man to translate the bible into an African language and father in law of explorer David Livingstone 90 65 Douglas Morgan Scottish professional football player and WWI casualty David Spence recipient of the Victoria Cross for his actions during the Indian Rebellion of 1857 Rev Alexander Stoddart Wilson minister and botanist died in Inverkeithing and is buried thereGallery edit nbsp Section of Inverkeithing High Street nbsp Inverkeithing War Memorial Gardens nbsp Forth View meadows from Whinny Hill Cres nbsp Inverkeithing Welcome sign nbsp Carved stone lintel dated 1617 nbsp View from Inverkeithing Community Gardens nbsp Prestonhill Quarry nbsp Inverkeithing Civic Centre nbsp Disused winch at Fife Coastal Path nbsp Inverkeithing rail station buildingSee also editFife Coastal Path Geography of Scotland in the Middle Ages Inverkeithing Parliament of Scotland constituency List of places in FifeReferences edit Ainmean Aite na h Alba Gaelic Place Names of Scotland www ainmean aite scot Archived from the original on 10 October 2019 Retrieved 25 June 2021 Fife Place name Data Inverkeithing fife placenames glasgow ac uk Ann McCluskey Land Sea and Sky Travelogue PDF Mid 2020 Population Estimates for Settlements and Localities in Scotland National Records of Scotland 31 March 2022 Retrieved 31 March 2022 a b c d e f g Inverkeithing Conservation Area Appraisal Fife Council 2011 Archived from the original PDF on 16 July 2019 Retrieved 16 July 2019 Holme Richard 2 October 2021 The Rise and Fall of the United Kingdom Shipbreaking Industry from 1945 to 1995 The Mariner s Mirror 107 4 453 475 doi 10 1080 00253359 2021 1978261 ISSN 0025 3359 S2CID 239769925 Fife Council 2019 INVERKEITHING CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL and MANAGEMENT PLAN PDF Fife historic buildings a b National Records of Scotland National Records of Scotland 31 March 2022 Retrieved 27 December 2023 Census of Scotland 2011 Table KS101SC Usually Resident Population publ by National Records of Scotland Web site http www scotlandscensus gov uk retrieved March 2016 See Standard Outputs Table KS101SC Area type Civil Parish 1930 Taylor Simon 2006 The Place Names of Fife Shaun Tyas Donington Fife Place name Data Inverkeithing fife placenames glasgow ac uk Watson William J 1910 The Celtic Review Keithing Burn scottish places info Retrieved 5 July 2020 Limekilns to Burntisland Inverkeithing climate information Met Office Retrieved 5 July 2020 About the Wall Antonine Wall www antoninewall org Retrieved 20 December 2023 Griffiths Emma 2 October 2020 Inverkeithing Heritage Regeneration Podcast Fife Historic Buildings Trust Event occurs at 8 40 Retrieved 6 October 2020 Transaction Foundation of Scone Priory and grant of possessions People of Medieval Scotland POMS Notes on Inverkeithing Parish Church and the Royal Burgh of Inverkeithing PDF Inverkeithing Parish Church Retrieved 20 July 2019 Jones John A Rupert 1917 Rosyth Dunfermline A Romanes amp Son Retrieved 1 August 2019 The chronicle of Lanercost 1272 1346 Maxwell Herbert Eustace Sir bart 1845 1937 Internet Archive pp 29 30 Retrieved 9 August 2020 Moffat Alistair 2015 Scotland A history from earliest times Edinburgh Birlinn Ltd ISBN 978 1 78027 280 1 OCLC 931094353 Bonner Elizabeth Ann 1997 The Origins of the Wars of Independence in Scotland 1290 1296 Journal of the Sydney Society for Scottish History 5 ISSN 1320 4246 Mount Toni 2015 Dragon s Blood amp Willow Bark The Mysteries of Medieval Medicine Stroud Glos Amberley p 23 ISBN 978 1445643830 a b c Millar Alexander 1895 Fife Pictorial and Historical its people burghs castles and mansions Cupar A Westwood amp Son Retrieved 29 July 2019 a b c d e f Bradley Ian 2019 The Fife Pilgrim Way In the Footsteps of Monks Miners and Martyrs Edinburgh Birlinn Limited ISBN 978 1 78027 592 5 OCLC 1090440150 Fife Pilgrim Way Fife Coast amp Countryside Trust Retrieved 29 May 2022 Accounts of the Treasurer of Scotland 1500 1504 vol 2 Edinburgh 1900 p 465 Nova Fifae Descriptio Blaeu Atlas of Scotland 1654 maps nls uk pp 78 79 Retrieved 11 August 2020 Register of the Privy Council of Scotland vol 12 Edinburgh 1895 p 423 Witches Data Visualization Project University of Edinburgh a b How a small Fife town became a hotbed of witch finding and punishing The Scotsman 13 August 2018 Ordnance Survey Map 1896 Fifeshire XLIII 2 Dunfermline Inverkeithing National Library of Scotland Historic Environment Scotland www historicenvironment scot Historic Environment Scotland Battle of Inverkeithing II BTL23 Retrieved 5 August 2020 Daniel Defoe A tour thro the whole island of Great Britain by Daniel Defoe Letter XIII Northern Scotland Part 1 www undiscoveredscotland co uk Retrieved 11 August 2020 Sankey Margaret D 2004 Balfour Robert fifth Lord Balfour of Burleigh d 1757 murderer and Jacobite sympathizer Oxford Dictionary of National Biography online ed Oxford University Press doi 10 1093 ref odnb 1196 Retrieved 11 August 2020 Subscription or UK public library membership required Burrell William Sir 1732 1796 1997 Sir William Burrell s Northern tour 1758 Tuckwell Press in association with the European Ethnological Research Centre and the National Museums of Scotland p 41 ISBN 1 898410 98 4 OCLC 38572362 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint multiple names authors list link CS1 maint numeric names authors list link Inverkeithing scotchwhisky com Retrieved 5 July 2020 Inverkeithing Oil Works scottishshale co uk Archived from the original on 5 July 2020 Retrieved 5 July 2020 Mackay Aeneas 1896 The County Histories of Scotland Fife and Kinross Edinburgh William Blackwood and Sons Retrieved 29 July 2019 Historic Environment Scotland Commercial Road Bridge over Keithin Burn LB35109 Retrieved 17 April 2021 Fraser Avenue Phase 1 Design PDF Kingdom Housing Going going gone 98 year old Paper Mill demolished Daily Record 13 August 2012 Retrieved 5 July 2020 Holme Richard 2 October 2021 The Rise and Fall of the United Kingdom Shipbreaking Industry from 1945 to 1995 The Mariner s Mirror 107 4 453 475 doi 10 1080 00253359 2021 1978261 ISSN 0025 3359 S2CID 239769925 Roberts John 2001 1992 The Battleship Dreadnought Anatomy of the Ship revised ed Annapolis Maryland Naval Institute Press p 22 ISBN 1 55750 057 6 Chirnside Mark 2015 RMS Olympic Titanic s Sister Stroud The History Press p 140 ISBN 978 0 7524 9151 6 An oblique aerial view centred on Thomas Ward and Sons Shipbreaking Yard www britainfromabove org uk Retrieved 4 February 2023 Crawford Ewan Inverkeithing Shipbreaking Yard RAILSCOT www railscot co uk Retrieved 4 February 2023 Robertson Metals Recycling www robertson metalsrecycling co uk Retrieved 4 February 2023 Listed Buildings in Inverkeithing and Dalgety Bay Ward Fife britishlistedbuildings co uk Retrieved 24 December 2023 What is Listing www historicenvironment scot Retrieved 24 December 2023 a b c d e f g h i j k l m Lamont Brown Fife in History and Legend pp 162 164 Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae a b Buildings of Scotland Fife by John Gifford a b c Gifford John 2003 Fife Yale University Press p 249 ISBN 0 300 09673 9 OCLC 475440850 a b Fife Regional Council Medieval Abbeys and Historic Churches p 40 Gifford John 2003 Fife Yale University Press p 250 ISBN 0 300 09673 9 OCLC 475440850 Historic Environment Scotland Bank Street Mercat Cross LB35088 a b c d Pride Kingdom of Fife p 35 a b c d e Walker and Ritchie Fife Perthshire and Angus pp 82 83 Ancient Mercat Cross set to be uplifted as part of 3 6m investment for Fife town The Courier Dundee 8 May 2020 Retrieved 6 July 2020 Inverkeithing 2 4 Bank Street Thomson s Lodging canmore org uk Retrieved 6 July 2020 a b Historic Environment Scotland 9 King Street Rosebery House LB35106 a b c Munro David M Gittings Bruce M Society Royal Scottish Geographical 2006 Scotland An Encyclopedia of Places amp Landscapes Collins p 260 ISBN 978 0 00 472466 9 a b 13 HERIOT STREET MOFFAT COTTAGE INCLUDING SUMMERHOUSE LB35104 portal historicenvironment scot Retrieved 27 December 2023 James Gilliland Simpson 1911 Scotland Episcopal Church of In Chisholm Hugh ed Encyclopaedia Britannica Vol 9 11th ed Cambridge University Press pp 467 468 sct admin 24 September 2017 St Peter s Episcopal Church Inverkeithing Scotlands Churches Trust Retrieved 20 December 2023 Douglas Chapman MP BBC Archived from the original on 6 March 2016 Retrieved 31 December 2015 Cowdenbeath constituency map PDF Boundary commission Archived from the original PDF on 2 December 2011 Retrieved 16 May 2011 Annabelle Ewing MSP The Scottish Parliament Retrieved 23 April 2023 Localities in Fife Scotland United Kingdom Population Statistics Charts Map Location Weather and Web Information www citypopulation de Retrieved 19 December 2023 Inverkeithing Fife Scotland United Kingdom Population Statistics Charts Map Location Weather and Web Information citypopulation de Retrieved 19 December 2023 Scotland s Census 2022 Rounded population estimates Scotland s Census Retrieved 19 December 2023 statistics gov scot Inverkeithing and Dalgety Bay statistics gov scot Retrieved 19 December 2023 Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts My Club Hub Retrieved 30 August 2020 Anger at club booking centre s pitches sparks call for new sports facilities Dunfermline Press Retrieved 26 October 2021 a b Inverkeithing Highland Games www inverkeithinghighlandgames com Retrieved 19 December 2023 Inverkeithing Highland games Archived from the original on 22 September 2020 Retrieved 30 August 2020 Watson Jonathan 4 August 2014 Duck Dynasty stars make splash at Inverkeithing Highland Games The Courier Retrieved 30 August 2020 Inverkeithing Bowling Club www inverkeithingbc org uk Retrieved 20 December 2023 Inverkeithing High School Welcome to Inverkeithing High School online fifedirect org uk Retrieved 30 August 2020 permanent dead link Fire destroys former primary school BBC News 20 November 2018 Retrieved 30 August 2020 Uncertainty surrounds plans for old Inverkeithing Primary School site Dunfermline Press 2 December 2023 Retrieved 31 December 2023 James Anderson George Washington s Mount Vernon Retrieved 4 July 2023 Whiskey Production George Washington s Mount Vernon Retrieved 4 July 2023 The boy who went to pot The Herald 24 May 1994 Who is Craig Levein 17 December 2009 Retrieved 11 August 2020 Natalie McGarry sent to prison but maintains she is innocent Dunfermline Press Archived from the original on 6 July 2020 Retrieved 5 July 2020 Livingstone s Pathfinder Lothian Life External links editGazetteer for Scotland webpages for Inverkeithing Inverkeithing on FifeDirect Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Inverkeithing amp oldid 1194015129, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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