Point 6

Pittencrieff House is a beautiful 17th-century Lairds Hose and the former family home of General John Forbes. General John Forbes was born in Edinburgh in 1707 and grew up on his family estate at Pittencrieff. He was a British Army Officer who is best known for commanding the Forbes Expedition, during which British soldiers were sent to capture Fort Duquesne in America, which they eventually achieved in late 1758. The city was renamed Pittsburgh.

Its bright ochre colour is makes it easy to spot.

After several owners came and went, a local merchant called William Hunt purchased the estate in 1800. It remained in this family, until Colonel James Hunt sold the property to Andrew Carnegie for £45,000 in 1902.

The house was restored throughout 1911 and 1912 by Sir Robert Lorimer.  It hasn’t been lived in since 1902 and for many years it was a museum. The Carnegie Dunfermline Trust are exploring how it can be used in the future.

From here head towards the glass houses and the Laird’s Garden. In days gone by, this area was used by Pittencrieff House as a kitchen garden and orchard. Now developed round the Laird’s Walk, with views of the Abbey and Palace ruins, the garden is full of colour throughout the spring and summer. Walk down through the centre of the garden to our next stop.