Telling the story of Dunfermline in six themes

In the new museum space, the main displays will cover six themes – industry, transport, recreation and culture, home life, the First and Second World War, and Dunfermline as a centre of royal and religious power.

Industry will focus on the weaving, mining and engineering industries, with the Meldrum Loom taking pride of place.

Built by joiner Robert Hay more than 150 years ago it was adapted by the Meldrums by a Jacquard mechanism to weave complex patterns much more quickly.

In the transport section the crossing of the Forth features heavily, by boat, ferry, train and road.

But there are also some curiosities, including a replica of the only motor car built in Dunfermline.

A replica of the 1897 Tod Three Wheeler, broken up in the fifties, was made by Babcock International apprentices working on the navy’s aircraft carriers project from surviving plans.

Recreation spans two centuries of cinema and sport, clubs and hobbies.

A recent appeal brought in a haul of treasures, from a 1950s Dansette record player to Star Wars figures.

Three eras of homes, the 1920s, 1960s and 1990s are illustrated by the changing shape of kitchens.

The effect of war on the people of the area will be recounted through personal stories and photographs and Rosyth and its fleet will feature heavily.

Visitors will come face to face with monarchs queens tracing Dunfermline’s royal past, and this is brought up to date with the story of how Dunfermline wove the fabric for the Queen’s wedding dress. Stuart Adamson lines up alongside Andrew Carnegie, Saint Margaret looks serenely upon Fife’s Provost.

Meanwhile, you can take your velvet cinema seats for a trip down memory lane or use the latest state of the art gadgetry to listen to historical figures bring the past to life.

Where else would you find this juxtaposition of old and new?

In the long-awaited and muchanticipated Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Galleries.

As work continues to fit out the interior, what is striking is the care taken to link the existing listed buildings with the most contemporary of designs.

Architect Richard Murphy’s vision has been sympathetic to the surrounding buildings.

Linked to the world’s first Carnegie Library, it melds designs from past to present.

It may overlook Dunfermline Abbey and its kirkyard, palace ruins and Abbot House.

Overlook yes, but overshadow? No, most definitely not.

While a fitting roof over the head of Dunfermline’s many treasures, hidden so long from public view, the building also seems to open out to its historical neighbours, its glass frontage embracing its surroundings.

Now all it needs is for visitors, local and international, to embrace it.

Pictures: Steven Brown. Above: The entrance to the museum. Right: Members of the project with local councillors and construction staff. Top left: Preparations still under way at the museum. Bottom left: The view of Dunfermline Abbey and its ancient kirkyard from the new museum.