Map of Donibristle 1896

  Donibristle Village in the Parish of Aberdour, Fife is not to be confused with the Donibristle estate in Dalgety.  This was a small mining village.

  In 1881 it had a population of 502 rising to 618 ten years later.  Most people have heard about it from the Donibristle Disaster of 26th August 1901 where eight men died when Moss from Mossmorran flooded the workings on no's 12 and 15 pits at Donibristle Colliery.  An excellent summary of this disaster can be found here

In 2001 the disaster was remembered, not only by the people of Fife but also in the Scottish Parliament and national press. You can read more about the disaster here.

"Central Fife Times"
30th August, 2001

Emotional start to disaster tributes

  One of the many events being organised to mark the Donibristle Mining Disaster of August 1901 took place on Sunday.
  A ceremony was held at the cairn situated on the southern outskirts of the town followed by a joint service at Trinity Church in Sinclair Drive.
Trinity Church minister Rev David Adams led the short service at the Cairn which was commissioned in 1994 to remember the eight men who died in the disaster on Mossmorran on 26th August 100 years ago.
  Mr Adams spoke of a day of mixed emotions, of pride mixed with sorrow, for the former mining town and those relatives who had gathered to honour the memories of their ancestors.
  Fife Council convenor Tom Dair laid the first wreath and was followed by Lord Ewing of Kirkford and Dunfermline East MSP, Helen Eadie.
Then Mrs Mary Maxwell laid a wreath on behalf of the town‘s Community Council.
At Trinity Mr Adams was joined by Rev David Redmayne, minister of Beath and Cowdenbeath North Parish Church and their congregations.
The events were attended by Mrs Eadie who commissioned a four page brochure on the Donibristle Disaster.
  The publication documents what happened that day in 1901 and includes an item from former Labour Minister for Coal Alex Eadie, her father-in-law.
There is also a poem about the disaster and also items from well known local miners' author Dan Imrie, Lord Ewing of Kirkford and Nicky Wilson the Scottish NUM president.
Mrs Eadie told the Times, "Whether you are a Fifer by birth or by adoption the communities in which you live shape a big part of your life.
  "In turn it is important to understand that in this part of Fife coal mining was the most powerful force in creating a strong community spirit and it is a heritage of which we can all be proud.
  "The Donibristle Disaster provides a very moving example of a community supporting each other in a crisis. Remember, there were 300 volunteers prepared to risk their lives in the rescue team.
  "I hope that our publication will help us to remember and celebrate the heroism of the mining community in 1901.

In the final days while the miners were trapped they kept a diary of their last thoughts and messages to their loved ones.  It is a moving testament to their faith in God and the bravery with which they faced the inevitable.  You can read a transcript of the diary HERE.