Scottish cities stack up really well for family-friendly holidays; not least our newest city – glorious Dunfermline, which only became a city in 2022. The ‘Ancient Capital of Scotland’ swims in history, heritage and romance, its compact Heritage Quarter a sheer joy to explore on foot. The catchy strapline ‘Our story, yours to explore’, sums it up. This city of bountiful parks, free museums and cultural attractions, superb entertainment venues and family-friendly restaurants is supremely easy to get to as well. And the city comes backed up by the delights of surrounding West Fife, an oasis with plenty to see and do to please both kids and big kids alike. What are you waiting for?
1. Getting there is all part of the fun
Forget the car: there are far more fun ways to get to Dunfermline. I recommend starting off by crossing the iconic Forth Bridge across the estuary, that giant iron leviathan dating from 1890 that instantly sets wee imaginations racing. Then check out the information boards on the Forth Bridges Trail to learn more. You can then either jump back on the train for the 15 minute ride to Dunfermline or older kids might want to tackle the stretch of the Fife Pilgrim Way that sweeps you all the way to Dunfermline Abbey. In May 2023 a new way of getting to Dunfermline opened up with a world first – a driverless bus. That’s right, a driverless bus will ferry passengers out from Edinburgh across the Forth to the Park and Ride, where you can connect for the short hop to Dunfermline.
2. ‘It Looks like Harry Potter’
That line came from my youngest daughter Emma. When we eked around the historic core with its cobbled streets, ancient abbey, deeply historic palace and mysterious graveyards, she piped up with the J.K Rowling comparison. And the more I come to think about Dunfermline’s more compact version of Edinburgh’s UNESCO World Heritage listed Old Town does evoke the romance and intrigue of the world of the Boy Wizard. Your kids will be desperate to get to Dunfermline if you tell them it look like the world depicted in Harry Potter!
3. One big (seriously fun) history lesson
Dunfermline in known as the ‘Ancient Capital of Scotland’ and it is alive with rich layers of history. The city is great for introducing wee ones to Scotland’s stories. On our latest visit we used the HQ Explorer Past-Port to really engage our kids. At each of four sites – Dunfermline Abbey, Abbey Church, Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries and the Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum – there are fun activities to enjoy. Complete them and kids get a stamp; complete all four stamps and they get a certificate. All four attractions are free and really well set-up for families. Parents learn too as they go and families learn together. At the DCL&G the Our Plastic Ocean exhibition installed in March 2023 has us talking through the sustainability issues raised by this brilliant exhibition.
4. One big park
Dunfermline is one seriously green oasis, alive with parkland. The most striking is, of course, Pittencrieff Park, which is regularly voted the best park in Scotland. The locals call it ‘The Glen’, which evokes the wildness of stretches where William Wallace is said to have hidden away. I love taking my daughters rambling through this squirrel and bird kissed oasis, before we hit one of the playparks. I always nod too to the statue of Andrew Carnegie. My girls love the idea that Carnegie was banned from playing on this estate as a boy, but returned when he was the world’s richest man to buy it for the city he loved. Pittencrieff flanks the old core to the west; Dunfermline Public Park flanks it to the east. Kids can enjoy the playpark here, and there is a skate park here too. Look out for the Victorian Donald Fountain and the B-listed heritage bandstand.
5. Great places to eat
There are some superb places to eat in Dunfermline that suit all the family. If you want to transport your wee ones across to India I thoroughly recommend Dhoom. This tuk-tuk clad bright space really offers authentic dishes and I love that very few months their tasting menu changes. At the time of writing it is based around the cuisine of Calcutta, but the chef is India scoping out the next regional cuisine to be showcased here. On our last visit we tucked into superb Japanese cuisine at bright, welcoming Fabric, kicking off with salmon sushi and sashimi, before moving on to gyoza fried dumplings and on to main courses like spicy chicken ramen and beef teriyaki. For lunch we love the wee Blend Abbot House café in the deeply historic setting of the Abbot House, the oldest house in the city. In summer their wee terrace is bliss. If it’s full the new café across the way at the DCL&G, The Granary Cafe, is also superb with great views of Dunfermline Abbey.
6. Oh yes it is!
Dunfermline is famous for its superb pantomime season. But year round it’s a great place to enjoy family-friendly theatre, musicals and gigs. And the venues are attractions in themselves. The Alhambra Theatre is a B-listed stunner that has just been revamped. As well as panto, one of Scotland’s largest stages hosts myriad family-friendly performances throughout the year, On our most recent visit to Dunfermline we caught a musical at the stately Carnegie Hall. This is another grand venue that had our daughters impressed before the curtain was even raised. Continuing the city’s rich cultural vein make sur to take your kids to Fire Station Creative with their temporary exhibitions and great café. They can also tell you about the brilliant Outwith Festival that surges through myriad city venues every autumn.
7. Great base for West Fife
Dunfermline is a great city to visit for families in its own right, the surrounding region of West Fife is awash with brilliant things to see and do with the kids too. The coastline is great for walks along the Fife Coastal Path. Then there is Scotland’s National Aquarium, Deep Sea World, the Scottish Vintage Bus Museum and the Lathalmond Railway Museum. Or take kids back in time in the heritage village of Culross or at rugged Aberdour Castle and Gardens near the famous Silver Sands beach. Active families can bash off to Knockhill Racing Circuit for a sweep of motorsports, or try out watersports with Waterski and Wakeboard Scotland.
You can find a free e-book online that showcases the multitude of things to see and do in Dunfermline and West Fife.
