Fife’s famous peacocks to be given Freedom of the City honour

Councillors agreed today to confer the highest civic honour on the birds that have wandered freely through its streets for more than a century.

The much loved peacocks are an integral part of Pittencrieff Park, but can often be seen in the city centre.

Members of the City of Dunfermline area committee agreed today to recommend that Freedom of the City of Dunfermline be awarded to the birds.

Councillor James Calder, committee convenor, said: “Dunfermline’s peacocks are very important to the city. By awarding them freedom of the city we’re recognising their valuable contribution and encouraging their presence in and around the city. Fife Council will now look at ratifying the decision and we will also start planning a presentation ceremony to mark the award.”

Henry Beveridge, a member of the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust, which philanthropist Andrew Carnegie set up to enrich the lives of the residents of his place of his birth, brought the first peacocks to in Dunfermline from India, and they have roamed freely ever since. The peacock population had dwindled to only one in 2016, but it has since been revitalised.

The award comes almost 18 months after a horrific killing of one bird in an incident which another badly injured. The bird, named Malcolm, was found dead while another, Louis, was left badly injured after after the aviary was broken into. The outrage which followed also led to huge sums of money being donated to help care for the birds.