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Inverkeithing
Day 17. 122.4 miles
I am sure you recall our discussion about Burntisland-the great shipbuilding town the place that gave birth and berth to ships. But what happens to ships when they are past their useful life? Many of them come to Inverkeithing to die. Because Inverkeithing-right by Burntisland-is a shipbreaking yard!
The list of ships reduced to scrap from the yard is impressive in a somewhat maudlin sort of way and includes the M. V. Brittany III; the largest motor cruiser in the world at the time. I did not find whether any of the ships built in Burntisland met their end here.
The number III features again in Inverkeithing history. King Alexander III was last seen here before he fell off his horse and plunged down a cliff or embankment. He died on impact. It’s not reported what happened to the horse, but we don’t fancy it’s chances.
There was a famous battle here-inventively called the Battle of Inverkeithing. Look for the number 3 again. It was part of the Third English Civil War, and the last major battle of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. The loser by a huge margin was one of the King Charles. The Third-I’m sure you guess. Unfortunately not. Just the Second.
Shipbreaking, king killing, battle losing. Three things we don’t want to linger around. Let’s get out of here and hasten towards nearby Dalgety Bay.