Inverkeithing
Inverkeithing (/ɪnvərˈkiːðɪŋ/ ⓘ; Scottish Gaelic: Inbhir Chèitinn) is a coastal town, parish and historic Royal burgh in Fife, Scotland, on the shore of the Firth of Forth, 9½ miles northwest of Edinburgh city centre and 4 miles south of Dunfermline city centre.
Inverkeithing
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|---|---|
| Town & Royal Burgh | |
Clockwise from top left: Friary, Mercat Cross, Thomsoun's House, view of town, Inverkeithing Bay beach & St. Peter's Church. Inverkeithing Town Coat of Arms | |
Location near the City of Edinburgh council area Location within Fife | |
| Population | 4,820 (mid-2020 est.) |
| OS grid reference | NT130829 |
| • Edinburgh | 9 mi (14 km) S |
| • London | 340 mi (550 km) S |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Inverkeithing |
| Postcode district | KY11 |
| Dialling code | 01383 |
| Police | Scotland |
| Fire | Scottish |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| UK Parliament | |
| Scottish Parliament | |
A town of ancient origin, Inverkeithing became an important centre of trade and pilgrimage during the Middle Ages and was granted Royal burgh status by 1161. The town witnessed the Battle of Inverkeithing in 1651, a major conflict in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. Following the Industrial Revolution, Inverkeithing developed industries in distilling, quarrying, and ship breaking.
Today, Inverkeithing town centre is a conservation area, home to 41 listed buildings including the best-preserved medieval friary in Scotland. Inverkeithing railway station is a main stop for trains running over the nearby Forth Rail Bridge, and the town is home to the Ferrytoll Park & Ride. Around half of Inverkeithing's workers are employed in Edinburgh or Dunfermline. The town has a population of 4,820 (2020), and the civil parish has a population of 8,090 (2011).
Inverkeithing lies on the Fife Pilgrim Way and the Fife Coastal Path, one of Scotland's Great Trails.