Dunfermline

Dunfermline, a very ancient city and royal burgh in the W. of Fifeshire, Scotland, 16 miles N.W. of Edinburgh, with which it is connected by two lines of railway, and three miles from the Firth of Forth at Limekilns. Standing 300 feet above the sea, it is cut in two by a deep ravine or "linn," from which it takes its name, "the fort on the crooked linn." It is irregularly built, with narrow and tortuous streets. The ruins still exist of the old palace where the kings of Scotland often resided as early as the 10th century. Charles I. is said to have been born here, Charles II. having been the last royal occupant. Edward I. held court in the Benedictine Abbey, of which portions, built by Malcolm Canmore in the 11th century, are in use at present. The tomb of Bruce lies below the pulpit of the new church, erected on the site of the abbey chancel. The modern public: buildings are excellent, and include public baths, the gift of Mr. Andrew Carnegie, a wealthy American citizen and a native of the place. The manufacture of damask and table-linen is the chief industry, but there are collieries, iron-foundries, soap-works, and other undertakings. Together with Stirling, Inverkeithing, and Culross, Dunfermline returns one member to Parliament.