Dunfermline Historical Society
16th April 2026, 7:30 pm, Abbey Church Halls, Abbey Park Place, Dunfermline
Ian Archibald will present
March 2026 Meeting
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.
February 2026 Meeting
Dunfermline Historical Society
19th February 2026, 7:30 pm, Abbey Church Halls, Abbey Park Place, Dunfermline
Murray Cook: New Light on the Battle of Stirling Bridge
The Battle of Stirling Bridge was one of the most important battles in Scottish history. Dr Murray Cook explores what actually happened and summarises the result of new excavations that locate the Scots camp ahead of the battle. Dr Cook is Stirling Council’s archaeologist and an Honorary Research Fellow at Stirling University.
This month’s talk will be preceded by our, short, Annual General Meeting. As always visitors will be made very welcome.
Our Storied Firth
Thursday 15th January 2026, 7:30pm
The Abbey Church Halls, Dunfermline
Dunfermline Historical Society
Our Storied Firth: One Thousand Years of Literature and Storytelling in the Forth Estuary. Following the success of his book “Our Storied Town” for Edinburgh’s 900th anniversary, Donald Smith widens his focus north and south of what was once called the Scottish Sea. The dramas of nature and history combine in a way that resounds today. He will highlight Dunfermline’s part in the literature as well as the history of Scotland.
Donald is a founder member of the Scottish Storytelling Centre and has visited us before. In 2019 he spoke on “Ye Jacobites by Name”.
As always visitors will be made very welcome.
November 2025 Meeting – The CWGC: Architecture and Conservation
Thursday 20th November, 7:30 pm
The Abbey Church Halls, Dunfermline
The talk will give an overview of the Commission and show examples of cemeteries and memorials all over the world, and from both world wars. It will also discuss how they are maintained and conserved today.
“It’s an amazing project, the Imperial War Graves Commission, it faced an impossible job to try and give some dignity and some sense of order to the meaningless and vast killing of the First World War”, Dan Cruikshank, Iconic War Memorials
Dave is a volunteer and researcher with the commission and has won a Spotlight Award for his work with them.