IN VERK EITH ENG is a royal burgh, and sea-port town of Scotland, in the county of Fife. It stands upon a rising ground on a hay of the same name, on the north side of the Firth of Forth. The town consists principally of one street, through which the great north road passes, and of some bye lanes. Some of the houses are good, but many of them are very old, with staircases on the outside. The town-house, which was built in 1770, contains a prison, and apartments for the business of the burgh, and for public meetings. The parish church, and the church for the burgher seceders, are the only other public buildings.
Inverkeithing is governed by a provost, two bailies, a dean of guild, and treasurer, who are elected annually by the councillors and the deacons of the trades. It received its charter from William the Lion. David I. resided in it ; and within these 50 years the vestiges of his house remained. King James VI. ratified the charter granted by preceding monarchs, by a writ dated 4th May 1598.
There are almost no manufactures in Inverkeithing.
An iron foundry, on a small scale, has been established ; and there are several salt pans, which annually make about 15,000 bushels of salt. The trade of the town consists principally of the export of coals, to the extent of about 25,000 tons annually. The harbour has from 13 to 15 feet of water at spring tides, and there are good quays for loading and unloading vessels. The bay of Inverkeith ing, which is separated from the Frith of Forth by the Ferry hills, affords excellent anchorage for vessels of any burden ; and it is here that the ships of war stationed in Leith Roads often ride in severe storms. The Domini cans and the Franciscans had convents here, but no re mains of them are now to be seen. The population of the town is about 1800. In the year 1811, the populati'm of the burgh and parish was Inhabited houses . . 381 Families . 569 Do. employed in trade and manufactures 131 Population .