Scotland > 1868, 1878 - Slater's (late Pigot & Co.'s) Royal national commercial directory and topography of Scotland > 1878 > Part 1

DIRECTORY. __^
Bectiou of the North British Railway, which affords direct commu-
nication with all parts of the country ; whilst another line, about
three miles in length, hence to Charlestown, is used principally in
the conveyance of coal for shipment at that port. The West of
Fife mineral railway runs from the town north into the rich mineral
district, which contains immense quantities of coal, iron stone,
lime stone, &c. A new line is now constructing between Dunferm-
line and Edinburgh by North Queensferry : it is in a very advanced
stage, and when opened will be a great benefit to the town, asit will
enable passengers to travel to and from Edinburgh in about one-
third of the time it now takes. It is estimated that the line will
cost about £90,000; it is being constructed on plans by Messrs.
Young, 0. E. of Glasgow. At North Queensferry a pier (composed
of massive concrete blocks), which will be 400 yards in length, is in
course of erection. By this pier the traflic of the line can be con-
tinued without interruption, at all stages of the tide. There is a
spacious public park, situate at the east end of the town extending
to between 30 or 40 acres, which is finely laid out with trees and has
a water fountain ; the plan or design was prepared by the late Sir
Joseph Paxton. It commands a fine view of Edinburgh on a clear
day, as well aa of the Frith of Forth for a great distance.
A bill has just been obtained by which water will be supplied to
the inhabitants from Glensherrup, at an estimated cost of ,£5"2,000.
The plans for this important undertaking are prepared by Messrs.
Leslie, c.E., Edinburgh, and powers have been obtained to have it
completed within five years ; the scheme was promoted by the
Corporation. The town is lighted by gas. There is a strong tire
brigade in the city, who have quarters in Campbell street. Fii-e
plugs on the gravitation principle are placed in numerous places
throughout the streets and lanes. A scheme for the conveyance of
the sewage of the city to the sea by means of pipes is being carried
out ; it is estimated to cost ^7,000. The pluns are prepared by Mr.
J. L. Stewart, c.E., Edinburgh. The pipe tract begins near
Urquhart Farm and touches the coast at Charlestowu, the distanci-
being about three miles. Perhaps the most prominent public
building in the town, if we except the edifices for religious pur-
poses, are the County Buildings, one called the Guildhall, staudinj,'
on the south side of the High street, and constructed in the
Grecian style, with a spire one hundred and thirty-two feet in
height rising over the front. They contain a sherifi" court room,
justice of peace court room, and a suite of rooms for the sherifl',
sheriff's clerk's office, procurator fiscars,and other county business.
Within this building is the post office,the business of which has large-
ly increased within the last few years: it is in the charge of Mr. Jas.
Brydeu, assisted by a staff of thirteen ofiicials and three telegraph
clerks. The Old Town House has been pulled down, and on its site new
Corporation buildings are now erecting. The cost is estimated at
about £20,000. The design for the building, which will undoubtedly
be the most imposing pubhc structure in the town, has been pre-
pared by Ml'. Walker, architect, Edinburgh. It is to consist of Town
Council meeting-room. Town Clerk's chambers, Burgh Court and
Police quarters, &c. By its erection the Kirkgate, the narrowest and
most dangerous thoroughfare in the town, will be greatly widened.
The building was projected by Kenneth Mathieson, Esq., provost of
the city. By a gift of £5,000 generously offered by Mr. R. Carnegie,
of New York, a native of Dunfermline, the public are to be put in
possession of Public Baths, which are now being built in Schooleud
street, on an elegant design by Mr. Andrew Scobie, architect. Can-
more street. In St. Margaret's street, there is being erected a pnblic
hall, which is estimated to cost £3,000. It is projectedby a few leading
gentlemen of the town,who form a company designated "The St. Mar-
garet's Hall Company, Limited." The hall is to have accommodation
for 1,500 people, the plan is by Mr. Starforth, architect, Ediubm-gh.
The music hall in GuUdhall street is a large modern erection, used
for all kinds of public meetings. The upper hall is a room of 90
feet in length, 50 iu width, and 45 in height. The other public
buildings comprise the prison, the poorhouse, and hospital, all of
which occupy sites at the eastern extremity of the town. The burgh
of Dunfermline, it appears, was held of the monastery, which for-
merly possessed paramount jurisdiction and exclusive privileges
here for nearly two centuries, and became royal by a charter fi-om
James VI. dated 24th May, 15S8. In this document the monarch
ratifies sundry charters, donations, and indentures, by John and
Robert, abbots of Dunfermline, particularly one dated the 10th of
October, 1395, by which the abbot and convent renounce, in favour
of the aldermen and community, the whole income of the burgh
belonging to their revenue, with the small customs, profits of court,
&c., " reseiving, however, the power of punishment, should any of
the magistrates be guilty of injustice in the exercise of theh- office."
In 1724 the burgh was placed on the footing it still maintains as
respects its government, which is vested in a provost, four baiilies,
and a dean of guild, together with a treasurer, a chamberlain, and
a town clerk ; the council is composed of twenty-two members,
elected pursuant tn the terms of the Municipal Reform Act. The
burgh joins with t-^tirling, Inverkeithing, Cuh-oss, and Queen's
Ferry in sending mie member to pa,rhament. Henry Campbell
Bannerman, Esq. is the present representative. He is very popular
having been returned to parliament unopposed at the last general
election. Dunfermliue is constituted the seat of the sheriff substi-
tute for the western district of Fife, who holds a regular court on
Tuesdays and Fridays, whe;i there is always a considerable amount
of business to be done in the way of civil actions. Bm'gh courts
are held daily in the Corporation Buildings. There is also a
society of solicitors iu the town. There are two news-
papers, namely, the " Dunfermliue Saturday Press" and the
" Dunfermline Journal," both published on Saturday. The
constantly increasing population and prosperity of Dunferm-
line may be entirely ascribed to its manufacture of table linens and
damask goods ; this branch of industry took its root in the town
about the commencement of last centiu'y; the cloth is woven of all
DUNFERMLINE.
PIPESHIRE.
dimensions, of the most elegant patterns, and to a gi-eater extent
than in any other town in Great Britain, and many firms are en-
gaged in tliis business. There are establishments for the spinning
of Unen yarn, and several large factories where power-loom weaving
is cai'ried on. It is said that the chest of the incorporation of wea-
vers contains two curious specimens of their art; a man's shirt
wrought in the loom by a weaver of the name of Inglis ; and a
woman's shift by another named Meldi-nm, both of which are with-
out seam, and effected without the assistance of the needle ; the only
part which luglis could not accompUsh was a button for the neck.
Excfusive of the linen trade, there are other branches of magnitude
and importance, among which may be mentioned the large fire-clay
works of Messrs. A. Wilson & Son, at Loch-Head; and Messrs. Lind-
say & Anderson, at LiUie-hill, where every description of article
usually made from that material are manufactm'ed. There are also
iron and brass foundi'ies and extensive engineering works, brewing,
dying, and manufacture of tobacco. The coal trade in the neigh-
hood is also vei-y extensive, and large quantities of this article are
annually exported. About 4,U00 men are employed, and the condi-
tion of the coUieis has been much improved recently. Five branch
banks of the first respectability are established here in addition to
a branch of the National Security Savings Bank, for which a fine
building has been erected in East Port street, at a cost of £3,000,
The Board of Directors includes the Provost, Baiilies, and Clergy-
men of the town. In the High street, premises have been
built for the business of the British Linen Company's
Bank, on a remarkably chaste design in the Grecian
Doric style of architecture, by Mr. David Cousin, of Edinburgh.
There are three principal hotels, viz.: Milne's Hotel, in Bridge
street, uow conducted by Mr. Laurence Anderson; Aitken's Hotel,
in High street; and the Union Hotel, South Inglis street. There
are several other houses for public accommodation of lesser
note. There are several public libraries, a subscription news-
room, mechanics' and scientific institutions; bible, tract,
missionary, and other religious societies ; horticultural socie-
ties, aud various charitable associations. The parish church
has been collegiate, and under the care of two ministers
since 1645. Of the other places of worship, their situations
aud the respective officiating clergymen, will be found under
a list in a distinctive head in a succeeding page. The Secession
church (now the United Presbyterian), which bas extended over
the greater part of Great Britain, became conspicuous here at an
early period of its history— the Rev. Ralph Erskine, one of the
parochial clergymen of Dunfermline, being one of. the four ministers
who first seceded from the establishment in 1733, aud shortly after
founded Queen Anne-street church here, which, it is believed, was
the first or second of that denomination. The most elegant building
here of modern erection is the Abbey Church; it is of ornamental
Gothic architectui-e, surmounted by a massive tower one hundred
feet high, having the words " King Robert the Bruce " in massive
stone letters four feet high round the four sides at the summit of
the tower. The interioi" of the church is much admired. While
excavating the foundation, the workmen discovered the tomb of
that celebrated monarch, 49'i years after his death ; his remains
were GoUected aud inclosed in a leaden coffin and are interred
under the tower. Adjoiuing the new, is part of the old abbey
church, where many other Scottish monarchs and nobles lies
buried. The town and neighbourhood support many friendly
societies. Since the passing of the Education Act a great change
has taken place in tlie educational arrangements of Dunfermhne —
one school has been built in Pitteucrieff street at a cost of £3,000,
and it is intended to erect a large central school, in which
secondary education will be taught along with the common branches
included in the Government Code. There are fourteen schools in
the burgh, of which six are under the School Board. The Gram-
mar school in Queen Anne-street is the leading public school in
the town ; it is under the head-mastership of Mr. John Matheson
who has two assistants, with a staff of pupil teachers. There is a
highly respectable private school for young ladies, kept by Miss
Huston in New road, also several other private and adventure
schools. The market is held on Tuesday for grain, which is
disposed of by stock and sample. Fairs, the third Tuesdays in
January, March, April, June, July, September, October and
November. The entire parish of Dunfermline comprises 20,7G4
statute acres, and by the returns made to Governmeiit in 1861,
contained a population of 21,187, and by those for 1871, 23,313 ;
at the last named period 14,963 were returned for the burgh.
Crossfoed, Halbeath, Townhill, Wellwood, and Miles
Mark are small viUnges and hau lets in the parish from one lo
thi-ee miles distant from Dunfermline. At Halbeath is the colliery
and offices of Mr. Andrew Wallace, and a new Board school is just
opened. At Townhill are the collieries and offices of the Townhill
Coal Company, a Board School is being erected. At Wellwood are
the collieries and offices of Mr. Thomas Spowart. At Miles Mark a
school has just been buUt by the joint aid of the parish aud burgh
School Boards at a cost of £3,000, it will accommodate 400
children. Population in 1871, Crossford 363; Halbeath, 800;
Townhill, 355 ; Wellwood, 678 and Miles Mark aud Park Nook, 668
Crossgates is a village partly in the parish of Dalgetty and
partly in that of and three miles from Dunfermline, four miles
north from Inverkeithing, situated about a quarter of a mile from a
station ou the North British Railway. The inhabitants are princi-
pally employed in the collieries Eurrounding the village. The
places of worship are an Established church and an United Presby-
terian chapel; also a board school. Population in 1871, 1,181.
Lassodie is a colliery village in the parish of Beath, four aud a
half miles distant from Dunfermline, its post town. Here are the
extensive works of the Lassodie Colliery Co. There is a Free
church and a public school.
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