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Coordinates: 56°02′N 3°23′W / 56.033°N 3.383°W / 56.033; -3.383
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'''Inverkeithing''' is a town and former [[royal burgh]] in [[Fife]], [[Scotland]], located on the [[Firth of Forth]]. According to population estimates (2006), the town has a population of 5,265. <ref name="Fife Population Estimates" /> The [[port city|port town]] was given burgh status by King [[David I of Scotland]] (1124-53) in the 12th century and is situated about 9 miles (15 km) north from [[Edinburgh Airport]] and about 4 miles from the centre of [[Dunfermline]]. Modern Inverkeithing is almost continuous with [[Rosyth]] and [[Dalgety Bay]].
'''Inverkeithing''' is a town and former [[royal burgh]] in [[Fife]], [[Scotland]], located on the [[Firth of Forth]]. According to population estimates (2006), the town has a population of 5,265.<ref name="Fife Population Estimates" /> The [[port city|port town]] was given burgh status by King [[David I of Scotland]] (1124-53) in the 12th century and is situated about 9 miles (15 km) north from [[Edinburgh Airport]] and about 4 miles from the centre of [[Dunfermline]]. Modern Inverkeithing is almost continuous with [[Rosyth]] and [[Dalgety Bay]].
Inverkeithing is an extremely well developing town and has many new housing sites including one next to the Town's Railway station.
Inverkeithing is a developing town and has many new housing sites including one next to the town's railway station.


== Origin of Name ==
== Origin of name ==


The name is of [[Scottish Gaelic]] origin,''Inbhir Ceitein''. ''Inbhear'' mean 'confluence, inflow' thus 'mouth of the Keithing/Ceitein' or Inverkeithing. The Keithing is the name of a small river/burn that runs through the southern part of the town.
The name is of [[Scottish Gaelic]] origin, ''Inbhir Ceitein''. ''Inbhear'' mean 'confluence, inflow' thus 'mouth of the Keithing/Ceitein' or Inverkeithing. The Keithing is the name of a small river/burn that runs through the southern part of the town.


== History ==
== History ==


The parish church of St. Peter stands in its large churchyard on the east side of Church Street. The main part of the church is a large plain neo-Gothic 'preaching box' of 1826-27, but the western tower is 14th century. The traceried belfry openings are unusual. Built of soft sandstone, the tower is very weathered, and has been partially refaced. It is crowned by a lead spire with over-emphatic gabled dormers housing clock-faces (1835 and 1883). The church's roomy interior (now deprived of its galleries) is graced by a little-known treasure, one of the finest medieval furnishings to survive in any Scottish parish church. This is the large, extremely well-preserved, grey sandstone font of ''c'' 1398, which was rediscovered buried under the church, having been concealed at the [[Protestant Reformation|Reformation]]. Its octagonal bowl is decorated with angels holding heraldic shields. These include the royal arms of the King of Scots, and of Queen [[Anabella Drummond]] (d. 1401), the consort of [[Robert III of Scotland|Robert III]] (1390-1406). 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.
The parish church of St. Peter stands in its large churchyard on the east side of Church Street. The main part of the church is a large plain neo-Gothic 'preaching box' of 1826-27, but the western tower is 14th century. The traceried belfry openings are unusual. Built of soft sandstone, the tower is very weathered, and has been partially refaced. It is crowned by a lead spire with over-emphatic gabled dormers housing clock-faces (1835 and 1883). The church's roomy interior (now deprived of its galleries) is graced by a little-known treasure, one of the finest medieval furnishings to survive in any Scottish parish church. This is the large, extremely well-preserved, grey sandstone font of ''c'' 1398, which was rediscovered buried under the church, having been concealed at the [[Protestant Reformation|Reformation]]. Its octagonal bowl is decorated with angels holding heraldic shields. These include the royal arms of the King of Scots, and of Queen [[Anabella Drummond]] (d. 1401), the consort of [[Robert III of Scotland|Robert III]] (1390-1406). 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.


The town was also the last place that [[Alexander III of Scotland|Alexander III]] (1241-86) was seen before he fell off his horse at [[Kinghorn]]. Some texts have said that he fell off a cliff. Although there is no cliff at the site where his body was found there is a very steep rocky embankment - which would have been fatal in the dark.
The town was also the last place that [[Alexander III of Scotland|Alexander III]] (1241-86) was seen before he fell off his horse at [[Kinghorn]]. Some texts have said that he fell off a cliff. Although there is no cliff at the site where his body was found there is a very steep rocky embankment - which would have been fatal in the dark.


The town museum (open in summer) is housed in a late medieval building which was part of the claustral ranges of the town's Franciscan friary. This is one of the few remnants of a house of the [[Greyfriars]] to have survived in [[Scotland]]. In the garden behind the museum, some stone vaults survive which were probably storage cellars associated with the friary.
The town museum (open in summer) is housed in a late medieval building which was part of the claustral ranges of the town's Franciscan friary. This is one of the few remnants of a house of the [[Greyfriars]] to have survived in [[Scotland]]. In the garden behind the museum, some stone vaults survive which were probably storage cellars associated with the friary.


The [[Battle of Inverkeithing]] ([[20 July]] [[1651]]) was fought in the area, close to [[Pitreavie Castle]], during [[Oliver Cromwell]]'s invasion of the [[Kingdom of Scotland]] following the [[English Civil War#The Third English Civil War|Third English Civil War]]. This is considered of great importance to [[Clan MacLean]], and the 20th century poet [[Sorley MacLean]] mentions Inverkeithing in one of his poems. The Russian admiral [[Samuel Greig]] was a native.
The [[Battle of Inverkeithing]] (20 July 1651) was fought in the area, close to [[Pitreavie Castle]], during [[Oliver Cromwell]]'s invasion of the [[Kingdom of Scotland]] following the [[English Civil War#The Third English Civil War|Third English Civil War]]. This is considered of great importance to [[Clan MacLean]], and the 20th century poet [[Sorley MacLean]] mentions Inverkeithing in one of his poems. The Russian admiral [[Samuel Greig]] was a native.


Inverkeithing is famous for its [[shipbreaking]] (Thos.W.Ward) yard. The 2nd [[RMS Mauretania (1938)|RMS Mauretania]] and [[RMS Olympic]] were dismantled here (the 1st [[RMS Mauretania (1906)|Mauretania]] was broken up a few miles away at Rosyth according to the article linked here).
Inverkeithing is famous for its [[shipbreaking]] (Thos. W. Ward) yard. The 2nd [[RMS Mauretania (1938)|RMS Mauretania]] and [[RMS Olympic]] were dismantled here (the 1st [[RMS Mauretania (1906)|Mauretania]] was broken up a few miles away at Rosyth according to the article linked here).


== List of Ships broken up at Inverkeithing ==
== List of ships broken up at Inverkeithing ==
[[Image:Mauretania 2 at the breakers yard.jpg|thumb|right|The 2nd RMS Mauretania arrives at Inverkeithing ready to be broken for scrap, 1965]]
[[Image:Mauretania 2 at the breakers yard.jpg|thumb|right|The 2nd RMS Mauretania arrives at Inverkeithing ready to be broken for scrap, 1965]]
{{dynamic list}}
{{dynamic list}}
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*[[RMS Olympic|RMS ''Olympic'' (1937)]]
*[[RMS Olympic|RMS ''Olympic'' (1937)]]
*[[RMS Cedric|RMS ''Cedric'']]
*[[RMS Cedric|RMS ''Cedric'']]
*[[RMS Empress of Australia (1922)|RMS ''Empress of Australia'']]<ref>Ship Modelling Mailing List (SMML): [http://smmlonline.com/articles/empressaustralia/empressaustralia.html ''Empress of Australia'']</ref>
*[[RMS Empress of Australia (1922)|RMS ''Empress of Australia'']]<ref>Ship Modelling Mailing List (SMML): [http://smmlonline.com/articles/empressaustralia/empressaustralia.html ''Empress of Australia'']</ref>
*[[RMS Maloja|RMS ''Maloja'']] 1954
*[[RMS Maloja|RMS ''Maloja'']] 1954
*MT ''Haakon Havan'' (Re-named ''Norske Esso'') 1960
*MT ''Haakon Havan'' (Re-named ''Norske Esso'') 1960
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== Transport ==
== Transport ==
Inverkeithing is [[Bypass route|bypass]]ed by the [[M90 motorway]]. The M90 links Fife to [[Lothian]] and Edinburgh via the [[Forth Road Bridge]]. The town is served by [[Inverkeithing railway station]]. The town is a hub for the rail network to and from Fife - passengers traveling to Edinburgh are carried over the [[Forth Rail Bridge]].
Inverkeithing is [[Bypass route|bypass]]ed by the [[M90 motorway]]. The M90 links Fife to [[Lothian]] and Edinburgh via the [[Forth Road Bridge]]. The town is served by [[Inverkeithing railway station]]. The town is a hub for the rail network to and from Fife - passengers travelling to Edinburgh are carried over the [[Forth Rail Bridge]].


==References==
== References ==
===Notes===
=== Notes ===
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist|2}}


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* [http://www.fifedirect.org.uk/Inverkeithing Inverkeithing on FifeDirect]
* [http://www.fifedirect.org.uk/Inverkeithing Inverkeithing on FifeDirect]


==See also==
== See also ==
*[[List of places in Fife]]
*[[List of places in Fife]]



Revision as of 19:46, 14 April 2009

Inverkeithing
PopulationExpression error: "5,265 [1]" must be numeric
OS grid referenceNT130829
• Edinburgh9 mi (14 km) S
Council area
Lieutenancy area
CountryScotland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townKIRKCALDY
Dialling code01383
PoliceScotland
FireScottish
AmbulanceScottish
UK Parliament
Scottish Parliament
List of places
UK
Scotland


Inverkeithing is a town and former royal burgh in Fife, Scotland, located on the Firth of Forth. According to population estimates (2006), the town has a population of 5,265.[1] The port town was given burgh status by King David I of Scotland (1124-53) in the 12th century and is situated about 9 miles (15 km) north from Edinburgh Airport and about 4 miles from the centre of Dunfermline. Modern Inverkeithing is almost continuous with Rosyth and Dalgety Bay. Inverkeithing is a developing town and has many new housing sites including one next to the town's railway station.

Origin of name

The name is of Scottish Gaelic origin, Inbhir Ceitein. Inbhear mean 'confluence, inflow' thus 'mouth of the Keithing/Ceitein' or Inverkeithing. The Keithing is the name of a small river/burn that runs through the southern part of the town.

History

The parish church of St. Peter stands in its large churchyard on the east side of Church Street. The main part of the church is a large plain neo-Gothic 'preaching box' of 1826-27, but the western tower is 14th century. The traceried belfry openings are unusual. Built of soft sandstone, the tower is very weathered, and has been partially refaced. It is crowned by a lead spire with over-emphatic gabled dormers housing clock-faces (1835 and 1883). The church's roomy interior (now deprived of its galleries) is graced by a little-known treasure, one of the finest medieval furnishings to survive in any Scottish parish church. This is the large, extremely well-preserved, grey sandstone font of c 1398, which was rediscovered buried under the church, having been concealed at the Reformation. Its octagonal bowl is decorated with angels holding heraldic shields. These include the royal arms of the King of Scots, and of Queen Anabella Drummond (d. 1401), the consort of Robert III (1390-1406). 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.

The town was also the last place that Alexander III (1241-86) was seen before he fell off his horse at Kinghorn. Some texts have said that he fell off a cliff. Although there is no cliff at the site where his body was found there is a very steep rocky embankment - which would have been fatal in the dark.

The town museum (open in summer) is housed in a late medieval building which was part of the claustral ranges of the town's Franciscan friary. This is one of the few remnants of a house of the Greyfriars to have survived in Scotland. In the garden behind the museum, some stone vaults survive which were probably storage cellars associated with the friary.

The Battle of Inverkeithing (20 July 1651) was fought in the area, close to Pitreavie Castle, during Oliver Cromwell's invasion of the Kingdom of Scotland following the Third English Civil War. This is considered of great importance to Clan MacLean, and the 20th century poet Sorley MacLean mentions Inverkeithing in one of his poems. The Russian admiral Samuel Greig was a native.

Inverkeithing is famous for its shipbreaking (Thos. W. Ward) yard. The 2nd RMS Mauretania and RMS Olympic were dismantled here (the 1st Mauretania was broken up a few miles away at Rosyth according to the article linked here).

List of ships broken up at Inverkeithing

The 2nd RMS Mauretania arrives at Inverkeithing ready to be broken for scrap, 1965

Transport

Inverkeithing is bypassed by the M90 motorway. The M90 links Fife to Lothian and Edinburgh via the Forth Road Bridge. The town is served by Inverkeithing railway station. The town is a hub for the rail network to and from Fife - passengers travelling to Edinburgh are carried over the Forth Rail Bridge.

References

Notes

  1. ^ a b "Fife Towns and Village population estimates" (PDF). Fife Council. 2006. Retrieved 2009-01-15.
  2. ^ Ship Modelling Mailing List (SMML): Empress of Australia

See also

56°02′N 3°23′W / 56.033°N 3.383°W / 56.033; -3.383