THE photographs in this week’s trip down West Fife's Memory Lane feature Pittencrieff Park in Dunfermline, better known to most people as simply the 'Glen'.

The first image shows a venue called 'The Kiosk', with a group of three people standing at the back of the image on the left and a uniformed man towards the right who may be collecting entrance fees as some of the performances were ticketed.

When seen initially, many people recall memories of either having attended shows there or having themselves taken part in performances on its outdoor stage. The problem with this is that this particular venue was demolished almost 100 years ago meaning they would have to be of a considerable age for this to be the case!

What folk are in fact recalling is the building in our second photograph. It shows a large, seated audience watching a performance on the outdoor stage of the Glen Pavilion in Pittencrieff Park which is still there today, very close to where the 'Kiosk' once stood. On closer examination, the different architectural features of each building can clearly be seen. The present building was opened in 1935.

Eileen Carrick is one of the people who remember the attraction: “I used to take part in the talent show during the afternoon performance of the band – I remember going there, winning the afternoon show and going back to perform inside at the evening show, then all the daily winners taking part in the final on a Saturday. Great times.”

George Paterson also recalls visiting: “My old grandad used to take me there to listen to the brass bands that played there on a regular basis.”

The next photograph shows the ‘Rabbitry’ that was designed by the renowned Dunfermline architect, James Shearer (responsible for a wide variety of much larger projects in Dunfermline including the art-deco Fire Station in Carnegie Drive that now houses Fire Station Creative).

It was situated just south of the aviary in the Glen – all that remains of it today is the concrete base. It was extremely popular with generations of young people, with a variety of rabbits and guinea pigs for children to see, as remembered by Deborah Hutton: “I got my pet rabbit from there and my wee brother got a guinea pig, ‘Lulu’ and ‘Tiny’. My grandad built them a hutch – happy memories.”

Barclay Asher has similar memories, including an unusual method of transporting his newly-acquired pet home: “I bought my guinea pig there. Took him home in my jacket pocket. Christened him ‘Nelson’ as he had a black patch over one eye – he lived for years!”

The final photograph shows a group of children enjoying an event that has taken place in Pittencrieff Park for more than a century, the extremely popular annual Children’s Gala. This photograph was taken in June 1914.

More photographs like these can be seen in Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Galleries as well as at facebook.com/olddunfermline

With thanks to Frank Connelly.