Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum

Set in the humble cottage where Andrew Carnegie was born in 1835, alongside a beautiful Art Deco museum hall built by his widow Louise in 1928, this museum tells the remarkable story of one of Scotland's most famous sons. Winner of the 2019 Family Friendly Museum Award, the museum takes visitors on a journey through Carnegie's life: from his childhood in 19th-century Dunfermline, his family's emigration to America with just a few possessions, his rise to become the richest man in the world through his steel empire in Pittsburgh, and his extraordinary decision to give away 90% of his personal wealth. Exhibits explore his legacy of philanthropy including Carnegie Hall in New York, the Peace Palace in The Hague, the Mount Wilson Observatory in California, and over 2,500 public libraries worldwide. For 2026, the museum partners with the Royal Scottish Academy to celebrate their 200-year anniversary with a temporary exhibition featuring RSA artists who were awarded the Carnegie Travelling Scholarship.