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Charleston, Fifeshire

Historical Description

CHARLESTON, a village and small sea-port, in the parish and district of DUNFERMLINE, county of FIFE, 3 miles (S. W. by S.) from Dunfermline; containing 772 inhabitants. This village, which is situated on the north shore of the Firth of Forth, was founded for the accommodation of the persons employed in the extensive collieries and lime-works of the Earl of Elgin, in the immediate neighbourhood. It is well built, and has a neat and pleasing appearance; the surrounding scenery is enlivened by the well-planted demesne of Broomhall, the seat of the earl. The inhabitants are generally in easy circumstances. The manufacture of various articles of cast-iron and brass, for which a foundry has been established, is carried on to a moderate extent; and there are some extensive limekilns, in which the limestone obtained from the quarries is burnt. The produce of the Elgin collieries, and the limestone from the quarries, are conveyed by tramways from the mines, to the harbour here, for exportation; the quantity of coal shipped annually is estimated at 120,000 tons, of limestone 15,000 tons, and of shell-lime about 400,000 bushels. Charleston harbour is spacious, and has been deepened and greatly improved within the last few years. A school is supported by the Earl of Elgin.

Transcribed from A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland, 1851 by Samuel Lewis

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