Dunfermline
City in Fife, Scotland / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Dunfermline (/dʌnˈfɜːrmlɪn/ ⓘ; Scots: Dunfaurlin, Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Phàrlain) is a city, parish, former Royal burgh in Fife, Scotland, 3 miles (5 km) from the northern shore of the Firth of Forth. Dunfermline was the de facto capital of the Kingdom of Scotland between the 11th and 15th centuries.[7]
Dunfermline
| |
|---|---|
| Nickname: Auld Grey Toun[3] | |
  Dunfermline Location within Fife | |
  Dunfermline Location within Scotland Show map of Scotland Dunfermline Location within the United Kingdom Show map of the United Kingdom Dunfermline Location within Europe Show map of Europe | |
| Coordinates: 56.07192°N 3.43930°W / 56.07192; -3.43930 | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Country | Scotland |
| Council area | Fife |
| Lieutenancy area | Fife |
| Area | |
| • Locality | 7.7 sq mi (19.9 km2) |
| • Urban | 11.1 sq mi (28.8 km2) |
| Population | |
| • Locality | 54,990 |
| • Density | 7,200/sq mi (2,800/km2) |
| • Urban | 76,210 |
| • Urban density | 6,900/sq mi (2,600/km2) |
| • Language(s) | English Scots |
| Postcode areas | |
| Area code | 01383 |
| OS grid reference | NT105875 |
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The earliest known settlements around Dunfermline probably date to the Neolithic period, growing by the Bronze Age. The city was first recorded in the 11th century, with the marriage of Malcolm III of Scotland, and Saint Margaret at Dunfermline. As Queen consort, Margaret established a church dedicated to the Holy Trinity, which evolved into Dunfermline Abbey under their son David I in 1128, and became firmly established as a prosperous royal mausoleum for the Scottish Crown. A total of eighteen royals, including seven Kings, were buried here between 1093 and 1420 including Robert the Bruce in 1329.
By the 18th century, Dunfermline became a regional economic powerhouse with the introduction of the linen industry, and produced industrialists including Andrew Carnegie.[8] Dunfermline was awarded city status as part of Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee Civic Honours in 2022.
Today, the city is a major service centre, with the largest employers being Sky UK, Amazon, Best Western, FMC Technologies, Lloyds and Nationwide.[9] Dunfermline sits on the Fife Pilgrim Way. The city currently has an estimated population of 58,508 and the greater Dunfermline area has a population of 76,210.