Song & Dance
Dunfermline & West Fife’s musical heritage
West Fife’s musical and cultural heritage has a long pedigree and can be traced back to a Song School established at the Dunfermline Abbey in the Middle Ages. Robert Henryson (d.c.1488), lived in Dunfermline in the late 15th century and was one of Scotland’s most important medieval poets. Composer and musician John Angus, lived in the Dunfermline in the 16th century and, like Henryson, was associated with the monastic song school. More recently, West Fife has had a thriving music and cultural scene, and houses its own performing arts and music centre at the Carnegie Hall in Dunfermline.
The Music School was opened in 1905 and the hall was opened in 1937, following financial support from the Carnegie Trust. Dunfermline has been home to an ever-evolving set of important music and theatrical venues, such as the Opera House (1903-1983), Alhambra Theatre (built in 1922 and relaunched in 2008) and Kinema Ballroom (1964).
Famous West Fifers
Dunfermline and West Fife have produced a significant number of musicians, writers and performers in the last century. This has included singer and actress Barbara Dickson, Jethro Tull frontman Ian Anderson, and bands such as Nazareth, Big Country, and The Skids, both fronted by Stuart Adamson. Two of the United Kingdoms’ most famous ballet dancers, Moira Shearer and Kenneth Macmillan are from Dunfermline, while the city and region were the birthplace of acclaimed writer Iain Banks, playwright Gregory Burke and actors Alec Craig, Jan Wilson, Ken Hutchison, Kenneth Cranham, Shirley Henderson, Michael Nardone, Ncuti Gatwa and Jordan Turk.
5 ways to improve your wellbeing through heritage
Keep Learning at Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries
At the museum within Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries you can see the Stratocaster guitar used by Stuart Adamson, the lead singer of Big Country as well as other music memorabilia from Nazareth and Barbara Dickson. More information can be found on their website.
Be Active with Dunfermline’s soundtrack walking tour
Grab your headphones and take a 60-minute walk around Dunfermline to discover more about the town’s musical connections through the years.
Give your time to support Dunfermline’s Outwith festival
Attend an event at this annual music and arts festival in September or join the team of many local volunteers who help make Outwith Festival a success. See the website for more information.
Keep Learning, watch the Auld Grey Toun: a soundtrack, a film by Loopmaniac, starring Dancing on the Tables.
Connect at Dunfermline Folk Club
The first Dunfermline Folk Club started in 1961, and the current club has met almost every Wednesday since 1994. An informal culture that supports performance and participation. All are welcome. Membership gives the chance to influence and shape the club.