Pittencrieff Park’s famous glasshouses are now open after extensive refurbishment as part of the Park’s Heritage Lottery Funded restoration project. Glass has been repaired, flooring upgraded and new lighting and heating installed.

Originally built in 1973 on the site of old conservatories, the 200ft glasshouses are divided into three sections. The main floral hall, with its wooden gazebo over the running stream and its regal display of plants, creates an exotic, tropical plant world for visitors while the central zone houses cactii and other succulent plants from dry, hot climates. In the west section, a flexible new space has been created with tables, chairs, parasols, new flooring, educational equipment and planting beds. This ‘glassroom’ will be used as a learning facility for schools, colleges and community groups. A programme of Ranger led activities and events will run throughout the year and the space will also be bookable by the local community. A new Outdoor and Woodland Learning group has just been set up for West Fife and it will be holding its launch later in the month in the glassroom.

Other improvements to the Park are the creation of a peacock sanctuary to house Dunfermline’s peacock population, restoration of the much loved train, new park lighting and refurbishment of landmarks such as the Andrew Carnegie statue, the telephone kiosk and the Doocot. Landscaping work has been carried out across the park, including the Rock and Japanese Gardens while shrub beds have been planted with over 20,000 new plants. Overgrown trees have been removed, reinstating the historic views of Dunfermline Abbey, Dunfermline Palace and Malcolm Canmore’s Tower, and a ‘kitchen garden’ of herbs, culinary and medicinal plants is being built on the site of the former paddling pool.

Winter opening hours are Monday to Thursday 9am to 2.45pm, Friday 9am to 12.30pm and Saturday and Sunday 10am – 3pm.

Click here for more information on Pittencrieff Park and the Heritage Lottery Funded restoration project.