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 mi (15.5 km) northwest of Edinburgh city centre and 3+1⁄2 mi (5.5 km) south of Dunfermline. Inverkeithing became an important centre of trade during the Middle Ages and was granted Royal burgh status by 1161. It was the meeting place of the Parliament of Scotland in 1354 and the Convention of Royal Burghs from 1487 to 1552. The Battle of Inverkeithing in 1651 was a pivotal engagement in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. Following the Industrial Revolution, Inverkeithing developed industries including quarrying, ship breaking and paper milling. Inverkeithing town centre is a conservation area following a medieval town plan, with the best-preserved medieval friary in Scotland and one of the finest examples of a 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 Bridge, and the town is home to the Ferrytoll Park & Ride. 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).