Activities and training update: Inverkeithing Heritage Regeneration Project

Published 30th June 2023

Last month the Inverkeithing Heritage Regeneration team attended Inverkeithing Gala again – with a focus on traditional skills, of which there isso much evidence in the magnificent buildings in Inverkeithing. Heritage specialist Craig Frew brought together a team of colleagues, who demonstrated the traditional arts of slate dressing, sign writing, and stone carving. Great to see so many people – young and old – having a go!

In 2023, the focus was on traditional skills, of which there’s so much evidence in the magnificent buildings in Inverkeithing. Heritage specialist Craig Frew brought together a team of colleagues, who demonstrated the traditional arts of slate dressing, sign writing, and stone masonry.

The FHBT team and their Fife Council colleague were delighted this year to have a brand new gazebo. The tasteful, stone coloured gazebo and other materials to help share the heritage message with children and families in Fife communities, was purchased thanks to a successful bid to Edinburgh Airport Community Fund.

Pupils at Inverkeithing Primary were involved in creating content for a time capsule, which will be placed alongside the conserved Mercat Cross in the heart of their historic town. Their contributions will be copied, with the originals in the time capsule, and the copies bound into a beautiful book, placed in Inverkeithing library. Fife artist bookbinder Marion Archibald is undertaking the commission, which will be a beautiful, fascinating and accessible piece of living history itself. The children’s contributions, recording by drawing or writing an Inverkeithing memory and a hope for the future, are wonderful. Some remembered their heritage walks, and were proud of their beautiful town.

P4, left I remember visiting the unicorn when I was in P3

P7, right, I wish the town will include more heritage for people to look on

Looking ahead, more pupils at Inverkeithing High School will have a chance to trial some traditional buildings skills in September 2023, and when the town centre improvement works begin, there will be several hard hat tours for community members as well as High School pupils. A great chance to really understand paving in stone, all the processes involved in townscape improvements, and the variety of work there is, using traditional construction skills.