Fife Council has said Dunfermline's historical past is due to be unearthed as part of a project to construct a new Museum and Art Gallery in the area.

'Dig Dunfermline' is set to begin at the end of August, with more than 50 volunteers taking part in the initiative.

The dig will form part of pre-building work for the development that will see the car park of Dunfermline Carnegie Library transformed into a site for archeological excavation and education.

It will take place for six weeks.

As a result, the car parks behind the Library closed from Monday 12 August to allow for site preparation works, which includes the removal of a tarmac surface and the erecting of safety fencing.

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With support and training from the team at Rathmell Archaeology, volunteers will work to discover and deepen their understanding of Dunfermline's past.

Fife Council has earmarked £6.8m from its capital budget for the project to construct a new Dunfermline Museum and Art Gallery, together with £2.8m from the Heritage Lottery Fund and £1m from the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust.

Councillor Helen Law, Vice Chair of the City of Dunfermline Area Committee, said: "This is another important milestone in this exciting project for Dunfermline and for the whole of Fife.

"It's excellent the community is getting to play their part and I'm delighted to hear that the dig has been popular, with lots of people wanting to be involved. I do hope there will be some interesting finds during the dig and look forward to hearing more as work progresses."

Research and Activities Assistant, Lesley McNaughton said: "We have been delighted with the interest and enthusiasm from the public for the dig.

"Having filled three hundred volunteer days, we are unfortunately having to turn people away, but hope very much that they will visit the site and enjoy a guided tour and chat with the archaeologists over the five week period."

(JP/CD)