About The Old Inn

The Old Inn is the oldest of the pubs in Dunfermline and the birthplace of Dunfermline Athletic Football Club (The Pars) it is situated in the centre of Dunfermline, right in between Dunfermline City Chambers, Dunfermline Town Clock and the famous Dunfermline Abbey. The Old Inn is more than just a great pub, it is steeped in local history dating back to the 1600’s and was the first Coaching Inn of its kind in Scotland and the original gantry has been preserved and is still in use today.

• Over 50 malt whiskeys to choose from
• Selections of fine wines, incl. Shiraz, Rose and Pinot Grigio
• Fresh food cooked and served daily
• Excellent table service for our pub lunches and meals
• FREE JUKEBOX – over 30,000 songs
• Function Lounge for hire
• Themed nights and Resident DJ’s
• Poker League Team
• Pub Football Team

THE OLD INN – A HISTORICAL NOTE

This tavern in the ancient Kirkgate of Dunfermline was known as The Old Inn as far back as the 18th century and this was thus even then regarded as of considerable antiquity. It is described in the earliest existing title deeds as lying “at the foot of the Kirkgate opposite to the kirkyeard stile”.

The Kirkgate itself is one of the oldest if not the most venerable thoroughfare in this city and Royal Burgh and has existed from time immemorial in association with the Kirk Abbey Monastery and Palace.

In former days its street level was probably lower and several floors of the earlier buildings still exist below the present street front edge.

There is a firm tradition that here in the 16th century stood the residence of Sir Henry Wardlaw of Pitreavie, Treasurer to King James VI of Scotland, and his deed these royal persons frequently lived in the palace, the ruins of which are still to be seen at a short distance to the south of this place. In that Royal Palace were born two of their children, Princess Elizabeth who became Queen of Bohemia and being the Grandmother of George I, represents the family link between the Stuart Dynasty and the present royal house and Prince Charles who succeeded his Father as Charles I of the United Kingdom and was beheaded in 1649.

The Old Inn has many close associations with the old coaching days. The Edinburgh coach started from here and one of the tenants and innkeepers owned and operated what is believed to be the first local public service vehicle. This was a coach called “The Fly” which proceeded from The Old Inn to Aberdour to meet a boat which conveyed its passengers to Leith.

The coach horses were kept in a stable opposite the inn and below the original south west tower of the Abbey. During a thunderstorm on the night on the 19th of August 1807 this original tower fell and destroyed the stable and coach horses.