Pittencrieff Park is an attractive park in Dunfermline with gardens, trees, open spaces and woodland walks in the deep gorge below the ruins of the palace which was once the principal home of the kings and queens of Scotland.  Today there were sounds of many happy children exploring and playing. It was very different when the philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie was a child. He was born in a tiny cottage (extra) just across the road and frequently wished he could play and explore in the Pittencriefff estate but the laird had banned them from entering.

Andrew Carnegie’s father was a weaver but times were hard and like many Europeans at the time the family emigrated to Pennsylvania in America when Andrew was 13.  He started work in a factory earning $1.20 a week.  Then he became a telegraph messenger and due to his skill rapidly moved on to become a telegraph operator and telegrapher as new railroads were being set up.  Through his experiences he learned about the rail industry and set up manufacturing parts for the railroads. Eventually he built steel works to make the equipment and became very prosperous and one of the richest people in the world.

However he felt that those with great wealth have “a moral obligation to distribute [their money] in ways that promote the welfare and happiness of the common man.”  Bill Gates is famous for giving away most of his wealth to very worthy causes throughout the world but it has been estimated that Andrew Carnegie gave comparatively even more with the ongoing interest on the funds continuing to support the many trust funds that he set up.  He eventually gave away most of his wealth of about $350 million (the equivalent of billions in today’s dollars)  Among his philanthropic activities, he funded the establishment of more than 2,500 public libraries around the world as he believed that if people were enlightened there would be more justice and harmony.   He endowed organizations of which many still exist today which were dedicated to research in science, education, world peace and other causes.   The name of a poor weaver’s son from Dunfermline lives on but many people have little knowledge of the man who gave so much to help others.

One of the lasting gifts Carnegie gave Dunfermline was Pittencrieff estate which he bought to be used a public park so that all could enjoy the beautiful place.  Thanks to him, many were enjoying the sunshine there today.