We start our journey in historic North Queensferry at the north end of the UNESCO World Heritage Forth Bridge. The first artwork on the trail is at the railway station. Beside the north bound platform you’ll see a colourful mosaic which was designed by local school children to commemorate the centenary of the Forth Bridge in 1990.
While you’re at the station cross over to the south bound platform to visit the exhibition about the bridge run by North Queensferry Heritage Trust.
Next stop on the trail is Dunfermline, Scotland’s newest city and an ancient capital of Scotland too. The city has a fascinating past and a bright future and there’s lots to see and do.
At the heart of the city is the Heritage Quarter with its medieval buildings, 12th century abbey, royal residence and award-winning museums.
When you arrive at the Heritage Quarter you’ll see the distinctive ‘pink hoose’ – Abbot House. This beautiful ‘A’ listed building is Dunfermline’s oldest house and is steeped in a rich heritage, dating back to at least the 16th century.
Next door is the award-winning Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries which is a wonderful mix of old and new, incorporating the world’s first Carnegie Library with a fantastic modern building.
Between the two buildings are some lovely gardens and this where you’ll find two unique artworks.
Look for the Unicorn statue. This mystical beast (the national animal of Scotland) represents both purity and innocence, power and ferocity, and was adopted as the national animal of Scotland in the 1300s.
Close to the Unicorn you will see two famous characters created by Robert Burns - Tam O’ Shanter and Souter Johnnie - sitting together enjoying the view. Tam was carved by sculptor Robert Forrest in 1823 closely followed by fellow Robert Burns character Souter Johnnie.
While you’re in the Heritage Quarter it’s well worth going into Abbot House and Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries, and Dunfermline Abbey & Palace. Close by you’ll also find the Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum and Pittencrieff Park.
The third stop is the St Ninians Fife Earth Project. If you drive up or down the M90 motorway through Fife you’ll see some unusual looking landforms close to Kelty.
This huge artwork is on the site of a former open cast coal mine and was designed by the famous landscape designer Charles Jencks. It is supposed to represent a journey around four continents with Scotland in the centre surrounded by each region most influenced by the emigration of Scots.
Sadly the project was never completed but it is still worth a visit. If you climb the hill (known locally as the walnut whip) and look down, you can see just how big the project is - the size of more than 700 football pitches!
Next stop is Cowdenbeath and its marvellous murals created by local artist Kerry Wilson. Cowdenbeath was a coal mining town for many years and the first mural helps tell the story of the town’s mining heritage while also looking to the future.
The next mural is based on a local girl, Lucie who is making dandelion wishes, and the third shows a young boy playing with his toy cars, a nod to Cowdenbeath’s legendary stock car races. There’s a subtle message within the larger-than-life cars though, with a pickup truck towing away a smiling Lego man. It’s the story of an everyday hero coming to the rescue, in a time when many people feel like they could do with a helping hand.
The last stop on the trail is Hill of Beath. The village was the birthplace of Scottish football legend Jim Baxter and the local hero is commemorated with a life size statue here.
During his playing career Jim Baxter won 34 caps and from 1960 to 1967, he was a leading member of the Scottish international team. One of his most famous moments was during a game against England in 1967 when he played keepy-uppy with the ball. Scotland went on to win 3-2.
The statue was created by Scottish sculptor Andy Scott and was erected in 2003.
You can travel to North Queensferry, Dunfermline and Cowdenbeath by train and bus and to Kelty and Hill of Beath by bus.
