We’re excited to invite you to be part of our newly formed Scottish Heritage 2 group, open to members from across West and Central Fife.
Whether you're drawn to local history, storytelling, or simply enjoy exploring and telling others about Scotland’s rich heritage, this group is for you.

Our first meeting took place at Dobbies, Dunfermline, when we committed to building a flexible, inclusive, and member-led group.

 

2025/2026 Events

Our first visit, led successfully by Beth, was to the Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum on 18 November 2025. Here we learned about how a poor weaver's son from Dunfermline and his family emigrated to America in 1848.

Carnegie made his fortune in steel and when the company he created was sold in 1901, he walked away the richest man in the world. He then gave 90% of his wealth away to trusts which had been created in his name.

The cottage where Carnegie was born, was bought by his wife, Louise, as a 60th birthday present for him. After his death Louise asked for the museum hall to be built and this opened in 1928. Both are looked after by the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust. 

A number of us who had previously visited, agreed there is always something new to discover. The museum is a fitting tribute to a great man. 

 

On December 16, members of the group braved the murky winter weather to visit Perth Museum. The main focus of the afternoon was to learn about the Stone of Destiny, which was very interesting. There was also time to look around the rest of the museum which houses a staggering 500,000 objects and specimens from around the world.

Sandy organised a very enjoyable visit to the National Gallery in Edinburgh, on 20 January, to view their Scottish Collection. Amongst the artwork on show, we saw the iconic Monarch of the Glen, paintings by Dunfermline artists, brothers Sir Joseph Noel and Walter Hugh Paton and stunning embroidered panels by Phoebe Anna Traquair.

With thanks to Blyth, we enjoyed an informative, if sobering, visit to the National Mining Museum at Newtongrange on 17 February. We viewed the exhibitions and had a guided tour of the pithead, learning about the perils of working down a mine.

Special thanks to Beth for stepping in at the last moment to organise this month's outing, and to Jane for introducing us to the very knowledgeable Arthur Lloyd. On Tuesday 17 March, we had a fascinating guided walk through Aberdour with Arthur, learning about its history, buildings, landowners past, and present, the east vs west rivalries and the perils of disturbing the peace of the lady of the manor!

Sheila organised a visit to the very interesting St Andrews Museum in Kinburn Park, on 21 April. Here the group learned about diverse subjects such as the Bronze Age, the history of golf and Scotland's Polish community. They were also able to admire works by local artists.

On 19 May the group enjoyed a very informative tour of the Scottish Witch Trial Museum in Leven. Not usually open on a Tuesday, the curator opened the museum especially for us, thanks to Kate's powers of persuasion.

Barbara led a very enjoyable visit to Culross Palace on 16 June. We leant about the origins of the palace, built by George Bruce of Carnock, a wealthy merchant between 1597-1611.

 

 

15 September 2026: Aberdour visit, incl. Heritage Centre.

2026/2027 Events

20 October 2026: Guided Walk, Charleston.

17 November 2026: tbc

15 December 2026: tbc

19 January 2027: tbc

16 February 2027: tbc

16 March 2027: tbc

20 April 2027: tbc

18 May 2027: tbc

15 June 2027: tbc

No meetings in July and August 2027.

---