[1] From the bus station main entrance cross the road and walk down the path to the High Street. Turn right and continue across the road junction into Bridge Street. Take care at this crossing and at other road crossings on the walk. At the end of Bridge Street, cross and walk into Pittencrieff Park.
It is worth spending a little time looking at the information board at the entrance gates. Pittencrieff Park is known locally as 'The Glen'. (This is the first of many information boards giving interesting details of the many features on the route.)
Head straight ahead to the large statue of Andrew Carnegie.
(A) Andrew Carnegie's life (1835 -1919) is well documented. From humble origins, he became a steel tycoon in the USA and a generous philanthropist.
Continue past the statue taking the path bearing right and head towards the path between the two children's play ares. A path leading to a car park can be seen on the right. This free car park can be an alternative starting point.
[2] Ascend the slightly sloping path between the two play areas. Pass by the Glen Pavilion on your left and then turn left.
(B) The Glen Pavilion is a wonderful Art Deco style building, sitting in the magnificent setting of Pittencrieff Park. It has hosted many successful events in the past and welcomed some very distinguished guests including Her Majesty The Queen and His Holiness The Dalai Lama.
At the path junction near the Peacock Rooms, turn right and head down the slope. The path bears left. At a path fork, take the left path and head up the slope following a chain link fence on your right. Take the second left path into the formal gardens and head for the orange building, the 17th century Pittencrieff House and Museum.
[3] After passing this building, take the narrow path on the right. At the first path junction, turn right and cross the bridge over the Tower Burn. Walk up the slope and look for a plaque giving information about Malcolm Canmore's Tower on your left. Ascend the well worn stone steps to view the remains of the Tower.
(C) The Tower dates back to the 11th century and was the the home of King Malcolm III and Queen Margaret. The advantages of this site as a defensive location can be appreciated.
Retrace your steps and continue walking up the slope to exit the Park. The Abbey is now in front of you.
(D) The Abbey is in two parts. The older Norman section was built in the 11th and !2th centuries and the newer parish church in the 19th century. The remains of King Robert the Bruce are interred here and the tower bearing his name is a dramatic feature.
Cross the road, go up the steps and take the path on the right and view the ruins of Dunfermline Palace to the right.
Dunfermline Palace belonged to James VI of Scotland and Anne of Denmark, his Queen. Charles I was born here in 1600.
Follow the edge of the path to see the view south towards the Forth Bridges. Continue and exit the Abbey grounds to the right into Abbey Park Place.
If time permits, its worth making a complete loop of the Abbey before exiting.
[4] After exiting the Abbey grounds into Abbey Park Road, turn left at the first street junction and pass by Carnegie Library and head up the slope to the junction with the High Street and a sighting of the Mercat Cross.
(E) A mercat cross is the Scots name for the market cross found in Scottish towns and cities where the right to hold a regular market was granted by the monarch, a bishop or a baron. It therefore served a secular purpose as a symbol of authority, and was an indication of a burgh's relative prosperity. The Dunfermline Cross was first mentioned in records in 1396. The current structure dates in part from the 17th century, but has suffered from its numerous relocations.
Turn right and keeping to the right hand side pavement, proceed through the pedestrian shopping centre then cross over into East Port Street still keeping to the left hand pavement. After passing by the Holy Trinity Scottish Episcopal Church, take a narrow path which leads past the front of the Carnegie Hall and through a small car park.
(F) Carnegie Hall was commissioned in the early 20th century to provide Dunfermline with a public hall for the arts. It was named after the industrialist, businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, widely regarded as Dunfermline's most famous son. There is another Hall named after Carnegie in his adopted home of New York.
At the end of the path, turn right and then left across a pedestrian bridge to enter the Public Park. Follow the middle path, straight ahead. Continue on the main path as it bears right and goes down a slope. Bear left at the next path junction.
Many buildings in this area were constructed in the 19th century of carboniferous grey sandstone. Hence the term "Auld Grey Toun" to describe Dunfermline.
[5] Take the second path on the right which heads diagonally down to a Bandstand. Follow the path which leads past the Bandstand and then continue on through the road underpass. Take the left path at the swings which leads down into the road named Comely Park. Continue ahead into Priory Lane. Cross the road where appropriate to the right hand side pavement. Keep going straight ahead on this pavement as the main road swings to the left.
Alternatively, from [5] instead of turning right, continue on the path directly down the slope. Cross the railway bridge and exit the park. At the Post Office Buildings continue on the right hand side going past a car park. Cross the road at a pedestrian crossing and turn right. Continue to a major road junction and follow the pavement as it bears left into Bothwell Street. Pass by a petrol station and continue to the Asda Store entrance. Cross the busy road at the pedestrian crossing, then turn left and continue past St Leonards Primary School.
Keep to this pavement as it bears right. At the mini-roundabout, turn right into Jennie Rennies Road. On the right, there is a view of the old and modern with the Abbey in the distance and the new Dunfermline High School, which opened in August 2012. Continue past the school entrance to a narrow footpath. After passing through a railway underpass, cross the road and turn right heading for the Abbey in the distance.
After crossing a pedestrian crossing, the final walk to reach [6] is a short steep section up Moodie Street. Keep to the left hand side pavement passing a small car park and Andrew Carnegie's Birthplace and Museum on your right. At [6], continue up the narrow pavement. At the first road junction, turn left into Monastery Street Street. You are now back on the main route. Thus, walk under the arch and continue as described below.
[6] At a T junction follow the pavement as it bears right. On your left is Andrew Carnegie's Birthplace and Museum. At the first road junction, cross carefully into Monastery Street with the ruins of the Palace ahead. Walk under an arch, keeping to the left hand side. At the Old Inn, cross the road to a small pedestrian precinct. Continue ahead for a short distance to view Abbot House.
If time permits, Abbot House is worth a visit to view the historical displays.
Cross the road and turn left to go back down this road. Then turn right and right again to get back to the High Street and then left onto the path up to the Bus Station.