Welcome
Steel tycoon, stockbroker, writer, lecturer, entrepreneur, philanthropist - Andrew Carnegie was one of the great Scots of the 19th century.
His life has left a huge legacy, but as his birthplace museum testifies to his humble beginnings in Dunfermline.
Visit the humble cottage where Andrew Carnegie was born and spent the first years of his life and experience Andrew’s life in 19th century Dunfermline and what it was like to emigrate to America with just a few possessions. Go on to discover how Carnegie set up his businesses in Pittsburgh, USA and how he became the richest man in the world.
Level access
There is level access from the main entrance to:
Museum HallIndoor Refreshment Area / Play AreaAccessible ToiletGift ShopGardenAccess with steps
There are steps from the main entrance to:
Birthplace Cottage Lower FloorBirthplace Cottage Upper FloorFront DeskHearing
Visual
General
Getting here
For further information on accessible travel in Scotland, go to Transport Scotland.Travel by public transport
Please see our 'How to Get Here' guide downloadable from our website for directions and the most accessible route from the train station to the museum.
Travel by taxi
Whilst we don't provide a formal transfer service, a member of staff at the front desk will always be happy to book you a taxi if you require one.
Parking
There are 2 entrances to the museum. Our main entrance does not have level access because there are 12 steps. Those requiring level access should use our side entrance where there is a dropped kerb. This door is locked, so please ring the doorbell and a member of staff will let you in.
We are happy for cars to pull up at the side of the entrance and drop visitors off.
Arrival
Path to main entrance
Main entrance
Doors of main entrance open automatically in an inwards direction. They emit 2 beeps / door chime as this happens.
Picture of side door provided on previous page.
Getting around inside
Ticket/ information desk
Front Desk
The lower part of the desk is 60cm. The higher part is 90cm.
There is now a perspex screen / sneeze guard at the fron desk.
Things to See and Do
Birthplace Cottage Lower Floor
There are two rooms on the lower floor.
The front room contains a single display case and one information panel.
There is a chair in this room for visitors to rest.
The loom room door is 75cm wide.
The accessible area in the loom room is 100cm deep.
The room has text panels.
Automated audio recording of traditional weaving music starts playing when you enter the room. The track lasts 1 minute and plays on repeat. Staff are able to turn it off at request.
Birthplace Cottage Upper Floor
The staircase is 90cm wide and there is a handrail on the right hand side. There are yellow strips on the edge of the steps to aid visibility. There are 15 steep stairs in total.
There are two rooms on the upper floor, joined by a small landing 100cm by 80cm.
There are normaly 3 rooms to see, the Birthplace Room, a spinning wheel room (which visitors can look into over a barrier) and the Heritage room - however the Heritage Room in closed to the public.
The Birthplace room contains mid-19th century furniture, laid out the way it would have looked like
when the Carnegie family lived there.
The original hardwood floor in the birthplace room and stairs is made of dark wood and is slightly uneven.
Barriers cordon off part of the room. The accessible area is approximately 85cm by 85cm.
There is a button to the left of the doorway which plays a 3-minute audio recording about the cottage and Andrew Carnegie’s early life in Dunfermline. Once you have pressed the recording, it will play through fully to the end.
Museum Hall
The Museum Hall contains displays about Andrew Carnegie’s life in America, how he made his money and why he gave it away.
There are six alcoves in the hall. Due to Covid 19, we have implemented a one-way system to allow for social distancing and easing the flow of the route. Visitors should visit the alcove displays in chronological order travelling clockwise round the room.
There are barriers along the centre of the room with arrow signs reminding visitors to travel in one direction.
The display cases are a mixture of wooden wall cabinets and glass floor cabinets. Floor cabinets are up to 2 metres tall. Wooden cabinets are up to 3 metres wide and 85cm tall for the lower cases, 220cm tall for the upper level.
Occasionally, there are temporary displays in the centre of the hall, using temporary walling. Minimum of 80cm of space is left between all access routes. Temporary exhibition information will be advertised on our website.
There are 6 screens in this room, which you can touch to activate.
There is a working morse code machine which visitors can try. It emits a loud beeping noise.
Indoor Refreshment Area / Play Area
The refreshment area currently has one table and three chairs. Some chairs have arms, some not. There is also a bench and high chair in the kids’ play corner.
The seats can be moved to accommodate visitors who need more space. Staff are able to help if required.
There is normally a play corner for children with books, games and explorer backpacks. These activities have been temporarily removed due to Covid 19.
Currently out of order There is a vending machine for hot drinks. UHT milk and sugar is available.
Drinks and snacks can be purchased from the museum shop / reception.
Public toilet
Accessible Toilet
Directions to the toilet are marked by large green floor stickers.
The total distance the refreshment area door to the toilets is approximately 30 metres. The garden path is on a slight downwards incline.
There is a wall mounted baby change station provided.
There is a sanitary waste bin, general waste bin and nappy bin provided.
The toilet has a light sliding door with tactile braille sign. The doorway is 90cm wide.
The toilet floor area measures 255cm by 195cm.
There is a horizontal grab rail located on either side of the toilet, approx. 40cm away. The right-hand side rail is secured to wall, the left-hand side rail may be moved up and down.
There is an emergency cord with a Euan’s Guide tag reminding visitors to ensure it dangles its full length to the floor and does not become tangled. If activated by accident, visitors can reset it themselves by using the triangular button on the wall. Otherwise, a member of staff will be alerted and come to your assistance.
To avoid loud noises and sensory triggers, there is no automatic hand dryer in the accessible toilet. There are paper hand towels provided.
Shop
Gift Shop
The shop area is well and evenly lit by ceiling lights.
There is a hearing loop at the till point.
Magnifying glass is available, if required.
Merchandise is displayed on shelves up to a height of 145cm. Our staff are available to assist customers who require merchandise from the higher level.
The floor is blue linoleum and on a slight slope, to allow level access between our refreshment area.
We have added a clear Perspex screen / sneeze guard to the front desk to protect our visitors and staff. The screen is approximately 190cm from the floor.
Visitors are asked to sanitise their hands before touching shop items and to pay contactlessly where possible.
Getting around outside
The garden path is paved and has a slight slope downwards to the toilet block.
There is a handrail along the path (starting 150cm away from the cottage door). The handrail is 80cm from the ground.
There is a bench in the garden for your convenience.
Assistance dogs are welcome in all areas of the museum, including the garden.
The garden is a nice spot to sit outside and rest with your dog.
Staff can provide a water bowl for refreshment
Customer care support
Virtual Tour of Cottage available to view on Museum Ipad.
We have audio transcripts and recordings available too.
Emergency evacuation procedures
Fire Alarm tests are carried out during closed hours.
We have an audible fire alarm only.
In the case of a sounding alarm, all visitors are required to gather at the bottom of the car park. Please report to the member of staff responsible.
There is only one level evacuation route, which is the same as the entrance route to the building. (Via the side entrance)
There are three additional fire exits for those who do not require a level entrance/exit point. Please see the floorplan provided.
Customer care support
The toilet signs are tactile and have braille. In the future we hope to provide more signage in this format.
Several members of staff have undertake Dementia Awareness, Autism Awareness, and Disability Awareness training.