{Scotland} Playgrounds & Peacocks at Pittencrieff Park
When we had to go to Dunfermline last month for my husband’s an boys’ karate grading, we had some time to kill in between the different grading levels, so we went to check out Pittencrieff Park which we had heard many good things about.
Pittencrieff Park – or ‘The Glen’ as it’s apparently known as by local people – covers 76-acres and is home to various glasshouses and gardens, woodland, three play areas, and a peacock sanctuary.
The play area also offers many kilometres of paths and walkways. Of particular interest to families may be the brass rubbing trail, with ten plaques dotted throughout the park, each with a different nature design.
The play area in the south-east of the park, next to the Nethertown Entrance, is set against a woodland backdrop and felt a lot calmer and more secluded than the rest of the park. The wooden play equipment blends in with the setting, and includes a climbing frame with fireman’s pole and slide, a basket swing, balancing beams, amongst other things.
The other two play areas are situated next to each other, in the north-west corner of the park, closest to the Pittencrieff Street entrance. One of the play areas has a wide range of play equipment, including climbing frames, ropes and nets, monkey bars, crawl tunnels, slides, a basket swing and more.
The other play area, whilst open to all, is specifically designed for younger children and those with disabilities, and has swings for different abilities (including a wheelchair swing), a sign language alphabet, climbing frames with nets, fireman’s pole and slides, and other play elements.
On the west side of the park is the Peacock Sanctuary. Peacocks have been resident in Pittencrieff Park since 1905 and have the “Freedom of the City”, so you may see them roaming about. But at the sanctuary they have an aviary that offers them shelter, and where visitors have the opportunity to meet the birds and learn some more about them. The sanctuary is open to the public on weekends.
How to get there
Location: Pittencrieff Park, Dunfermline, KY12 8QH
Pittencrieff Park is located in the centre of Dunfermline. Take the train from Edinburgh Waverley or Haymarket to Dunfermline Town, which takes around half an hour. The park is located to the west/ north-west of the train station. From there, it’s around a 10 minute walk to the Nethertown Entrance play area, 15 minutes to the Peacock Sanctuary, and 20 minutes to the other two play areas.
Good to know
Opening times: Pittencrieff Park itself is open all year round. The Peacock Sanctuary is open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays, from 11am to 3pm.
Cost: Entry to the park, play areas and Peacock Sanctuary is free.
Website: Pittencrieff Park | Peacock Sanctuary
