Dunfermline's railway station set for name change to reflect city status after King's visit

The railway station of Scotland’s newest city will undergo a name change following the recognition of its city status by King Charles III.

Dunfermline, which used to be Scotland’s capital, won city status as part of celebrations for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee earlier this year.

That status was formally conferred by King Charles on Monday and means Dunfermline is Scotland’s eighth city, joining Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness, Stirling and Perth.

Following the King’s visit, Scotrail confirmed the city’s railway station would undergo a change to reflect this new position – going from Dunfermline Town railway station to Dunfermline City.

The former Fife town's railway station will undergo a name change. — The former Fife town’s railway station will undergo a name change. Google Maps

Transport minister Jenny Gilruth was “keen” that the station’s name reflected the importance of the city’s standing.

“I am sure this decision will be warmly welcomed by the city’s residents as they celebrate this momentous occasion,” she said.

While the name change has been confirmed following the special ceremony on Monday, the national rail operator said that it will take some time to “complete the logistics” of the change.

The process will involve changing all references to the station across the many databases throughout the rail industry, including those used by Network Rail for signalling, timetabling, and operational purposes.

Scotrail said this process has been started, and the change to Dunfermline City will be formally completed as soon as possible.

Alex Hynes, managing director of Scotland’s Railway, said: “We are thrilled that Dunfermline has been awarded city status and it is fantastic to see The King and the Queen Consort visit the newly named city.

“It is appropriate that we play our part in this change and we have started the process of changing the name of the station.

“It will take some time to formally complete, but we are doing everything we can to make this exciting change as soon as we can in recognition of Dunfermline as Scotland’s eighth city.”