Listed Building

The only legal part of the listing under the Planning (Listing Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997 is the address/name of site. Addresses and building names may have changed since the date of listing – see 'About Listed Buildings' below for more information. The further details below the 'Address/Name of Site' are provided for information purposes only.

Address/Name of Site

INVERKEITHING HARBOURLB49949

Status: Designated

Documents

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Summary

Category
B
Date Added
04/08/2004
Local Authority
Fife
Planning Authority
Fife
Burgh
Inverkeithing
NGR
NT 13153 82586
Coordinates
313153, 682586

Description

Late 18th century and earlier 19th century; later alterations and repairs. Small, narrow rubble-built harbour on N-S axis to NE of Inverkeithing Bay at point where Keithing Burn debouches into bay. Keithing Burn enters head of harbour through square bull-faced rubble sluice installed 1840 (with later brick repairs). 20th century metal footbridge runs over sluice (where Halbeath Railway formerly crossed Keithing Burn); large steel girder bridging top of sluice at angle to footbridge. Coursed, squared rubble and random rubble quay walls to E and W sides of harbour (extensive concrete render repairs); E quay (99 meters long); W quay (172 meters long); stone steps and some iron fixtures such as rope hooks to W. W quay terminating in squat round-edged coursed rubble pier (formerly known as Mid-Pier, former terminus of Halbeath Waggon Way). Additional harbour inlet W of Mid-Pier (formerly known as West Harbour) now in-filled (2003). 19th century rubble wall remains of former shipbuilding works to E quay (incorporated into small marina, 2003). Coped random rubble wall to N of sluice bordering Keithing Burn to W, terminating at Commercial Road Bridge (see separate listing).

Statement of Special Interest

This harbour has played a important role in Inverkeithing's circa 850-year history, contributing significantly to the royal burgh's position as a key port on Scotland's east coast. Inverkeithing was 1st documented in 1129 and was declared a Royal Burgh by 1165. A natural harbour, Inverkeithing most likely provided shelter for shipping at all periods in the past. It is also probable that it was a landing place for the early Queensferry Passage during the 12th century. The port is mentioned in the 14th century although there is no mention of harbour works at this date. However a harbour was recorded in 1587 when the works were described to be in "dekayitt" condition, also suggesting that works were not new by this date. In 1666, there is further mention of piers and "heads". In 1703, Adair states that "the entry to Inverkeithing Bay or Harbour is large and open [...]. Along the Shoar below [the town] there is a large and convenient Key of Stone [...]" (see Graham). The present harbour does indeed show evidence of 18th century construction but would most likely date to the end of the century when the advent of the Halbeath Waggon Way in 1783 (an early Scottish colliery waggon way - see separate listing for Boreland Road, Bridge over Keithing Burn and Halbeath Waggon Way for more information) instigated a great number of improvements to the harbour, in particular the lengthening of the Mid-Pier which became the waggon way's terminus. The most important trade from Inverkeithing was the shipping of coal principally from the Halbeath Colliery but also from a number of other collieries in the Townhill area. Coal production and shipping peaked in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. As traffic and boats sizes increased the relatively shallow depth of Inverkeithing Harbour became a problem. Measures were put in place to deepen the harbour but eventually this improvement was not enough to preserve the local trade, which by then had brought about other works such as shipbuilding, paper mill, etc. The Halbeath Colliery closed in 1850 but the railway continued to be used to service local industries north of Inverkeithing until 1867. However, the track at the Inverkeithing end of the Halbeath Waggon Way still continued to be used after 1867 and a branch line of the Dunfermline and Queensferry Railway was connected in 1877. As general trade ceased in the later 19th century, the harbour became somewhat neglected. However some businesses did continue to take advantage of the harbour's position such as Caldwell's pulp and paper mill, later taken over by Inveresk Plc, occupying most of the land to the W of the harbour (2003).

References

Bibliography

A S Cunningham, INVERKEITHING, NORTH QUEENSFERRY, and ROSYTH (1903) pp49-50. Rev W Stephen, THE STORY OF INVERKEITHING AND ROSYTH (1938) pp88-92. A Graham, "Archaeological Notes on some Harbours in Eastern Scotland," PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF SCOTLAND, Vol 101 (1968-1969) pp245-246. J R Hume, THE INDUSTRIAL ARCHAEOLOGY OF SCOTLAND: THE LOWLANDS AND BORDERS (1976) pp 135-136.

About Listed Buildings

Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level. These designations are Scheduled monuments, Listed buildings, Inventory of gardens and designed landscapes and Inventory of historic battlefields.

We make recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.

Listing is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for buildings of special architectural or historic interest as set out in the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997.

We list buildings which are found to be of special architectural or historic interest using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)

Listed building records provide an indication of the special architectural or historic interest of the listed building which has been identified by its statutory address. The description and additional information provided are supplementary and have no legal weight.

These records are not definitive historical accounts or a complete description of the building(s). If part of a building is not described it does not mean it is not listed. The format of the listed building record has changed over time. Earlier records may be brief and some information will not have been recorded.

The legal part of the listing is the address/name of site which is known as the statutory address. Other than the name or address of a listed building, further details are provided for information purposes only. Historic Environment Scotland does not accept any liability for any loss or damage suffered as a consequence of inaccuracies in the information provided. Addresses and building names may have changed since the date of listing. Even if a number or name is missing from a listing address it will still be listed. Listing covers both the exterior and the interior and any object or structure fixed to the building. Listing also applies to buildings or structures not physically attached but which are part of the curtilage (or land) of the listed building as long as they were erected before 1 July 1948.

While Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating listed buildings, the planning authority is responsible for determining what is covered by the listing, including what is listed through curtilage. However, for listed buildings designated or for listings amended from 1 October 2015, legal exclusions to the listing may apply.

If part of a building is not listed, it will say that it is excluded in the statutory address and in the statement of special interest in the listed building record. The statement will use the word 'excluding' and quote the relevant section of the 1997 Act. Some earlier listed building records may use the word 'excluding', but if the Act is not quoted, the record has not been revised to reflect subsequent legislation.

Listed building consent is required for changes to a listed building which affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest. The relevant planning authority is the point of contact for applications for listed building consent.

Find out more about listing and our other designations at www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support. You can contact us on 0131 668 8914 or at designations@hes.scot.

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Printed: 29/03/2024 08:56