Carnegie Trust in Dunfermline

Guest speaker at this week’s meeting at The Inn at Charlestown was Gillian Taylor, CEO of the Carnegie Dunfermline and Hero Fund Trusts.  In introduction President Douglas said how apt it was that this evening’s meeting was held in Charlestown since that was Andrew Carnegie’s point of departure from Fife on his route to making his fortune in the United States.

Gillian related her passion for Dunfermline that had led to her “throwing her hat in” and applying for the job. With a background as an accountant in local government she was Fife Council’s Area Manager for Dunfermline before joining the Trust in June 2020.

Gillian explained the two trusts under her care and the way that they also oversee the Carnegie Birthplace Museum. She gave a brief history of Andrew Carnegie from humble beginnings to his fantastic financial success and his belief  that “The man who dies rich dies disgraced”.  Andrew Carnegie was certainly vVisionary with projects like the Peace Palace in The Hague and his efforts to prevent World War One.

The Carnegie Dunfermline Trust (CDT) was founded in 1903 and after he had purchased Pittencrieff Park for the people of Dunfermline. Having been banned from the estate by the landowners he described its purchase as  - “the most soul satisfying public gift (he) ever made or can ever make.”

Now the CDT is a grant giving organisation, working in partnership with other organisations with a focus on health & well being, alleviating poverty and reducing loneliness. 

The Carnegie Hero Fund Trust (CHFT) part of Gillian’s talk was a revelation to most members. She explained how the CDT trustees also oversaw the work of the CHFT which involved looking after the welfare of injured heroes and families who have lost members in the process of performing an heroic act.

This trust covers the British Isles including Ireland, the Channel Islands and surrounding waters.  Cases are rarely publicised but every case recognised is recorded in the Roll of Honour held in the Birthplace Museum. 

Gillian said that there were lessons to learn from the pandemic with particular emphasis on looking after “Green spaces”. Collaborative working is more important than ever and acceptance that no one organisation can regenerate towns and villages. She felt that the Museum had to address the experience of the future.

In conclusion Gillian presented ‘My Vision’:-
To carry on Andrew Carnegie’s legacy in a 21st century context while staying true to his original values.
To work in Partnership with others and to seek and deliver ambitions for Pittencrieff Park and Pittencrieff House.
To re-imagine the museum while making it relevant and sustainable
To support Carnegie heroes

After a very interesting question and answer session, a vote of thanks on behalf of the club was given by Neil Spriddle.