Inverkeithing

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Inverkeithing is town and former royal burgh in Fife, Scotland, located on the Firth of Forth. The port town was given burgh status by King David I of Scotland (1124-53) in the 12th century, and is today bypassed by the M90 motorway. Inverkeithing is situated only 9 miles (15 km) from Edinburgh Airport.

The name is of Scottish Gaelic origin, and is Inbhir Ceitein in the modern language. Inbhear, 'confluence, inflow'.

Inverkeithing is part of the Dunfermline and West Fife Westminster constituency.

The parish church of St. Peter stands in its large churchyard on the east side of Church Street. The main part of the church is a large plain neo-Gothic 'preaching box' of 1826-27, but the western tower is 14th century. The traceried belfry openings are unusual. Built of soft sandstone, the tower is very weathered, and has been partially refaced. It is unfortunately crowned by a lead spire with over-emphatic gabled dormers housing clock-faces (1835 and 1883). The church's roomy interior (now deprived of its galleries) is graced by a little-known treasure, one of the finest medieval furnishings to survive in any Scottish parish church. This is the large, extremely well-preserved, grey sandstone font of c 1398, which was rediscovered buried under the church, having probably been concealed at the Reformation. Its octagonal bowl is decorated with angels holding heraldic shields. These include the royal arms of the King of Scots, and of Queen Anabella Drummond (d. 1401), the consort of Robert III (1390-1406). The high quality of the carving is explained by it being a royal gift to the parish church, Inverkeithing being a favourite residence of Queen Anabella.

The town was also the last place that Alexander III (1241-86) was seen before he fell off the cliff at Kinghorn.

The Battle of Inverkeithing (20 July 1651) was fought in the area, close to Pitreavie House, during Oliver Cromwell's invasion of the Kingdom of Scotland following the Third English Civil War. This is considered of great importance to Clan MacLean, and the 20th century poet Sorley MacLean mentions Inverkeithing in one of his poems. The Russian admiral Samuel Greig was a native.

Inverkeithing is famous for its shipbreaking yard. The RMS Mauretania and RMS Olympic were dismantled here.