Inverkeithing

Inverkeithing ( ; Scottish Gaelic: Inbhir Chèitinn) is a coastal town, parish and historic Royal burgh in Fife, Scotland. The town lies on the north shore of the Firth of Forth, 9+1⁄2 miles (15.5 kilometres) northwest of Edinburgh city centre and 3+1⁄2 mi (5.5 km) south of Dunfermline. A town of ancient origin, Inverkeithing became an important centre of trade and pilgrimage during the Middle Ages. Inverkeithing was granted Royal burgh status by 1161 and was the meeting place of the Parliament of Scotland in 1354 and the Convention of Royal Burghs from 1487 to 1552. The town witnessed the Battle of Inverkeithing in 1651, a conflict in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. Following the Industrial Revolution, Inverkeithing developed industries including distilling, ship breaking and quarrying. Inverkeithing town centre is a conservation area following a medieval town plan, home to 55 listed buildings including the best-preserved medieval friary in Scotland and one of the finest examples of a medieval Mercat Cross. The town's annual highland games and Lammas fair are among the oldest in Scotland. Inverkeithing lies on the Fife Coastal Path, one of Scotland's Great Trails, and the Fife Pilgrim Way. Inverkeithing railway station is a main stop for trains running over the nearby Forth Rail Bridge, and the town is home to the Ferrytoll Park & Ride. Around half of Inverkeithing's workers commute to Edinburgh city centre or Dunfermline (2024). The town has a population of 4,820 (2020) and the civil parish has a population of 8,878 (2022).