The Remarkable Story of Dunfermline and Trondheim

Celebrating 80 Years of Cross-North Sea Friendship

This year marks a truly extraordinary milestone in international friendship - the 80th anniversary of the twinning between Dunfermline and Trondheim, one of the oldest and most enduring civic partnerships in Europe. What began as a gesture of post-war solidarity in 1945 has blossomed into a profound cultural and historical bond that continues to thrive today. Tomorrow will see us celebrating this connection with the digging up of a time capsule buried 25 years ago, and a civic reception hosted by Provost Leishman. Representatives from Trondheim will also attend this.

Origins in Wartime Solidarity

The story of this remarkable twinning begins against the backdrop of World War II and its immediate aftermath. In May 1945, as Europe emerged from the devastation of war, an extraordinary ceremony took place in Dunfermline that would forge lasting ties with Norway. The Bond of Friendship was established during a ceremony attended by Norwegian sailors based at Rosyth. This naval base had served as a crucial hub for Norwegian naval operations throughout the war.

The timing was significant - just as victory was declared in Europe, with Crown Prince Olav sailing from Rosyth back to Oslo on HMS Devonshire on 11 May 1945, the same ship that had brought the Norwegian royal family to the UK during the war. Scotland had served as a sanctuary for thousands of Norwegian refugees and resistance fighters, with Rosyth becoming a vital base for the Norwegian Navy. Norwegian sailors and civilians had found refuge in Scotland throughout the conflict, creating bonds of gratitude and friendship that would prove enduring.

The twinning was officially established as one of the first such partnerships in Scotland, making it a pioneering example of post-war international cooperation. The original impetus came from youth organizations seeking to support young people in Norway after the devastation of the war.

A Unique Historical Foundation

What makes the Dunfermline-Trondheim partnership particularly fascinating is how it builds upon much deeper historical connections between Scotland and Norway spanning over a millennium. The medieval period saw extensive cultural, political, and economic ties between the two regions. Scotland and Norway were linked through royal marriages, including the marriage of Isabel Bruce, sister of Robert the Bruce, to King Eric of Norway in 1293.

The Norse influence on Scotland was profound and lasting, particularly in the Northern and Western Isles, where Norwegian control persisted for centuries. Trading partnerships flourished across the North Sea, with Scotland exporting salt, hides, honey, and wool, while Norway reciprocated with timber, furs, stockfish, amber, and birds of prey. The great medieval trading networks, including the Hanseatic League, operated in both countries, consolidating formal commercial links.

Trondheim itself holds special significance in this historical narrative. Founded in 997 by Viking King Olav Tryggvason as a trading post, it served as Norway's capital during the Viking Age until 1217. The city was the seat of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nidaros from 1152 to 1537 and remains home to the magnificent Nidaros Cathedral, where Norwegian kings were crowned for centuries.

Growth and Development of the Modern Partnership

Following the initial Bond of Friendship in 1945, the relationship between the two cities deepened progressively. The first group of young Norwegians visited Dunfermline in 1946, beginning a tradition of youth exchanges that continues today. A significant milestone came in 1997 with the establishment of the Dunfermline Trondheim Twinning Association, a formal organisation dedicated to promoting and fostering friendship and understanding between the peoples of both cities.

The association has been instrumental in facilitating numerous cultural events, exchange visits, and collaborative projects over the decades. These have included educational exchanges, cultural festivals, business links, and tourism promotion, bringing tangible benefits to both communities.

Symbolic Gestures and Commemorations

One of the most poignant symbols of enduring friendship is the time capsule buried in Pittencrieff Park in August 2000. This capsule was interred during a return visit by members of the original 1946 youth exchange from Trondheim, creating a direct link between the founding generation and future ones. Located alongside a large sign with a map of Pittencrieff Park, just inside the Louise Carnegie Gates, the time capsule is scheduled to be opened in August 2025, coinciding with the 80th anniversary celebrations.

The Louise Carnegie Gates themselves represent another layer of historical significance, serving as the formal entrance to the park, the green space donated to the people of Dunfermline by Andrew Carnegie in 1903. This location was chosen as a fitting site for the time capsule, symbolising the intersection of local heritage and international friendship.

The 80th Anniversary Celebrations

The current anniversary celebrations in 2025 represent a culmination of eight decades of friendship and cooperation. A delegation from Trondheim will visit Dunfermline this week to commemorate this remarkable milestone. As well as the opening of the time capsule, a civic reception hosted by Provost Jim Leishman to reaffirm the Bond of Friendship will take place in the City Chambers.

As Councillor James Calder, convener of the City of Dunfermline Area Committee, expressed: "The 80th anniversary of our twinning with Trondheim is a remarkable milestone and is one of the longest twinnings in Europe. This enduring relationship has brought immense cultural and economic benefits to Dunfermline".

Cultural and Economic Impact

The twinning has provided substantial benefits to both communities over the decades. For Dunfermline, the partnership has offered residents opportunities to experience Norwegian culture, build international friendships, and participate in educational and cultural exchanges. The relationship has also brought economic benefits through tourism promotion and business links between the two cities.

The partnership has enabled both cities to share best practices in various fields, from municipal governance to cultural programming. It has also provided a framework for collaborative projects and mutual support during challenging times.

Modern Trondheim: A Dynamic Partner

Today's Trondheim is a vibrant, modern city of over 200,000 inhabitants, serving as Norway's third most populous municipality. It remains a major centre of education and research, home to the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), SINTEF research organisation, and St. Olav’s University Hospital. The city's technological focus and innovation culture provide contemporary relevance to the historical partnership with Dunfermline.

Trondheim continues to honour its historical significance while embracing modernity. The city hosts numerous cultural events throughout the year, including peace festivals, music festivals, and academic conferences. Its commitment to international cooperation and cultural exchange makes it an ideal partner for Dunfermline's ongoing twinning relationship.

Lessons for International Cooperation

The Dunfermline-Trondheim twinning offers valuable lessons for international cooperation in the modern world. Born from the ashes of war, nurtured through decades of patient relationship-building, and sustained by genuine cultural affinity, it demonstrates how civic partnerships can transcend political boundaries and create lasting bonds between peoples.

The relationship exemplifies how historical connections can be revitalised and given new meaning in contemporary contexts. The medieval trading links and cultural exchanges between Scotland and Norway found new expression in the post-war twinning, creating continuity across centuries of shared heritage.

A Living Legacy

As the 80th anniversary celebrations demonstrate, the Dunfermline-Trondheim partnership remains a living, dynamic relationship rather than merely a historical curiosity. The renewal of the Bond of Friendship in 2025 ensures that this remarkable partnership will continue to flourish for future generations, carrying forward eight decades of friendship, cooperation, and mutual understanding across the North Sea.

The story of these two cities serves as an inspiring example of how local communities can contribute to international understanding and peace. In an era of global challenges and complex international relations, the profound yet straightforward friendship between Dunfermline and Trondheim reminds us of the enduring power of people-to-people connections to bridge differences and build a more cooperative world.

This twinning stands as a testament to the vision of those Norwegian sailors and Dunfermline citizens who, in the spring of 1945, looked beyond the immediate aftermath of war to imagine a future built on friendship, understanding, and shared values. This vision continues to inspire and unite these two remarkable communities across the North Sea.

I’ll be attending these events tomorrow, so look out for some more photos and information across our socials. Thanks for your continued support.