Middlebank's History

There has been a settlement at Middlebank, on the south-eastern fringes of Dunfermline, since at least the Bronze Age. A number of Roman urns were discovered here in the 1840s, under a large rough stone, while men were levelling a field. A souterrain (prehistoric chamber) was later found to the south of the motorway junction, which would once have been associated with a timber house structure, and is likely to date to the Iron Age.

The area was once home to a coal pit, a large quarry, and several farms. All that is now visible of the coal pit at Sunnybank is a broad shallow depression in the surface of a field. A tramway linked the pit with the Halbeath Railway to the east. The disused freestone quarry at Loanhead has been filled in and heavily landscaped; the Halbeath Railway ran through its centre.

Sunnybank Farm survived into the middle of the 20th century; the farmhouse, its large garden and 160m long driveway are now overlain by a modern public road. The remains of Annfield Farm were removed in recent years to make way for a modern housing development. The auld smithy at Pinkerton Burn survived into the 20th century, although no trace remains of either that building or nearby Greens Park Farm.

Middlebank House and its associated lodge and farm were once the property of James Kerr, who along with his brothers John and Robert had established a yarn boiling works in Bothwell Street. When Pittencrieff Park was purchased by the town, they leased large sections of ground to the council to help expand its size. Middlebank was purchased by John Sommerville, public works contractor and builder, in September 1934. He also purchased 50 acres of surrounding land rich in clay deposits. Plans were considered to bring clay from the high ground at Middlebank by means of a narrow gauge line crossing the main LNER line. Although brick stanchions to support the line had already been built, the project was abandoned in 1938.

During the Second World War, Middlebank was put to use as a detention barracks for around 50 Polish military personnel who awaited, or were there as the result of, court martial proceedings. The barracks had a recreation hut and a chapel. Jan Wagner was a Polish soldier who was killed whilst attempting to escape from Middlebank.

Middlebank Farm was later bought by the SSPCA for use as a Birds Cleaning & Seal Treatment Unit. Middlebank Animal Welfare Centre closed in 2012 and was re-located to Fishcross, near Alloa. A housing development of more than 300 homes has been proposed for the old site.

Thanks to Alastair M. Redpath at Project Dunfermline for the information.

Photo credit: Scotsman Picture Desk