Thursday 15th October, 7:30 pm

Dunfermline Historical Society

Abbey Church Halls, Abbey Park Place, Dunfermline

Tom Addyman will present “Researching Historic Houses and Estates in Fife and Beyond”

Buildings archaeologist Tom Addyman will examine the processes and challenges of historical research, archaeological investigation and recording of historic estate landscapes, their gardens and their buildings – from great houses to smaller structures. It will draw upon the challenges of recent and current case studies, both within Fife and further afield.

As always, visitors will be made very welcome and will be charged £5 admission.

Dunfermline Historical Society, 17th September, 7:30 pm

Abbey Church Halls, Abbey Park Place, Dunfermline

Reframing King James IV & I

In this illustrated talk, Kate Anderson, Senior Curator, Portraiture (Pre 1700), National Galleries of Scotland, explores some of the treasures made during the reign of King James VI & I (1566 to 1625) and discusses how these surviving artworks, objects and manuscripts can reveal fresh insights into the lives of the King, his family and Jacobean court culture.

Kate has an MA in the History of Art and an MLitt in Museum and Gallery Studies, both from the University of St Andrews. She has worked for the National Galleries since 2012 and before that for Aberdeen Art Gallery.

We are delighted to open our new season with this talk. As always, visitors will be made very welcome and will be charged £5 admission.

Dunfermline Historical Society, 21st May, 7:30 pm

Abbey Church Halls, Abbey Park Place, Dunfermline

Prof. Michael Penman will present “The Kings and Queens Buried in Dunfermline Abbey”.

Michael  graduated from St Andrews University in 1995 and went on to receive a Ph.D from the same university in 1999. His thesis was “The Kingship of David II of Scotland, 1329 to 1371. He is now Professor of History at Stirling University. His main research interests are faith and piety in Medieval Scotland, civic society in the late 18th and early 19th Century and The Great War.

Dunfermline Historical Society

16th April 2026, 7:30 pm, Abbey Church Halls, Abbey Park Place, Dunfermline

Ian Archibald will present

Ian is a founder member of the Burntisland Heritage Trust and we have been lucky enough to have him speak to us previously, lastly in 2024 when he presented “Island Jewels of the Forth”. As always visitors will be made very welcome.

Dunfermline Historical Society

19th March 2026, 7:30 pm, Abbey Church Halls, Abbey Park Place, Dunfermline

Steven Veerapen: “Anna of Denmark: The King’s Consort”

Steven Veerapen discusses the life of Anna (or Anne), queen consort of King James VI and I. In doing so he explodes myths about the much-maligned queen and examines her interest in property, building and the establishment of a legacy in Dunfermline and beyond.

Steven teaches in the Department of English at Strathclyde University and has written a biography of James VI & I, “The Wisest Fool” as well as a number of historical novels.

As always visitors will be made very welcome.