Fife Council back Maygate artwork of King Robert the Bruce

Persistence has paid off for Archie Frail, a local historian and retired dockyard worker, as consent for a huge artwork in the city’s heritage quarter has been granted by Fife Council.

The mural will also feature Bruce’s nephew, Sir Thomas Randolph, and the aim is that it will be painted on the gable wall of a law firm’s offices on the Maygate.

Back in September 2023 Mr Frail, of the City of Dunfermline Heritage Group, outlined the idea for the two historic figures to be depicted on two High Street buildings, at the new £1.6 million city square, but that didn’t proceed.

Not to be deterred, his application for a different site, the three storey building occupied by MJS Solicitors at 11 Maygate, was tabled in November and has now been approved.

An artist’s impression of what the mural of King Robert the Bruce and Sir Thomas Randolph could look like. (Image: the City of Dunfermline Medieval Heritage Group / Fife Council planning papers.)

In it he explained: “We would like to create a mural depicting Robert the Bruce and Sir Thomas Randolph, who are both buried within our abbey, on the gable end of this property.

“We will employ the services of Donna Forrester who is an accomplished local mural artist who has successfully completed several projects in Fife.

“We would also install an information board with historical details of the subjects on the mural.”

The group believe the mural will transform an “unremarkable” grey wall, enhance the city centre, boost civic pride and attract more visitors, which will boost the economy and support local businesses.

The “currently unremarkable” gable wall on Maygate where the artwork will go. (Image: the City of Dunfermline Medieval Heritage Group / Fife Council planning papers.)

The suggested mural shows Robert the Bruce and Sir Thomas Randolph, the 1st Earl of Moray, who were both buried at Dunfermline Abbey, and a skyline backdrop with the outline of the abbey.

There were two objections relating to “the scale and design” of the artwork and the impact it would have on the conservation area in the Maygate.

One was from the Abbot House SCIO board who also raised concerns about ownership and any shared maintenance of the gable wall.

Mr Frail advised that an agreement will be required with the building owner to install the mural and agree the long-term ownership and maintenance of the mural before any works commence.

A council report said: “In principle, the installation of a mural on the blank gable of the three-storey building is acceptable with the wall having little effect on the character of the conservation area.

Former dockyard worker Archie Frail, a member of the City of Dunfermline Medieval Heritage Group (Image: Newsquest)

“The greenspace beside the gable wall is currently used as a public space with street furniture and previous public art installations being sited here so the installation of a mural beside this space is considered appropriate.

“In terms of the assessment on the impact on the surrounding historic environment then it is considered that an appropriate design for the mural would negate any potential harm.”

Central Dunfermline Community Council have backed the proposal and even pledged to pay the fee for the planning application.

A number of local businesses in Kirkgate and Maygate, including the Old Inn, David Gray Barbers, Chong Kwan Dental Care, Little Shop of Heroes and the Caledonian Craft Beer Merchant, added their support.

Dunfermline MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville said the “exciting proposal” would celebrate “two of the most important figures in Scotland’s history”.

The council report said the mural design is only a concept at this stage and added: “The applicant appears to have been receptive to feedback on the design of the mural and has attempted to engage with the community in a number of ways outlined as part of the application including a survey conducted of local businesses, a mail drop sent to 120 neighbours, articles in the local media, discussions with local community groups, a meeting with representatives of the Abbey Church, and pre-application discussions with Historic Environment Scotland.”