Hello

Visit Dunfermline is a great supporter of the peacocks in Pittencrieff Park and all the work that Suzi and her team of volunteers do to look after them.

The peacocks were first introduced in 1905 when Henry Beveridge of Pitreavie gifted four peacocks to the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust with instructions that 'the birds were to be kept in confinement until they became accustomed to their new surroundings'. The flock multiplied to such an extent that there are several entries over the years in the minutes of the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust referring to birds having to to be sold to reduce the size of the bird population due to the considerable damage being done to young plants in the formal gardens. Our image features a painting by James McIntosh Patrick of Pittencrieff Park in 1950 showing the peacocks which had the run of the park. 

Douglas Currie remembers visiting Pittencrieff Park and seeing them: "There used to be a set of cages south of the aviary that had rabbits and guinea pigs which were fun for the really little kids. I used to live in Chalmers Street and I have vivid memories of seeing peacocks in my parents back garden. I think it is wonderful that they are being re-introduced.”

The peacocks didn't always stay within the confines of Pittencrieff Park however and were often seen throughout the town. Our next photograph shows one of the peacocks out and about at the bottom of Chalmers Street. 

If you would like to support the work of the volunteers you can do so via their Facebook page Visit Dunfermline was delighted to see that our friends at Dhoom recently donated £1K to this cause.

Until next time

Frank