Dunshalt Today

21st century Dunshalt is a peaceful small village undergoing another period of considerable change. Although the population has held steady at around 300 for some time this is, in common with the rest of the country, an increasingly elderly population with over 25% of village inhabitants now over 60 years old.

While some parts of the village are physically unrecognisable from early 20th century photographs, other parts remain resolutely the same 100 years later. It is difficult to walk through the village at any time of year and not come across a one or even two hundred year building being renovated or extended to meet the demands of the 21st century.

Many of the larger garden plots have been filled in with new houses, encouraged by a planning policy which encourages housebuilding within the village boundaries and actively discourages it on agricultural land. The rural broadband scheme has also been kind to the village, with fibre optic cabling now providing ultra fast internet.

There is now little economic activity within the village except for the Auction Rooms and Car Body Shop (both located in the former linen factory, and later mushroom farm), and the ever present Blacksmith. The Village Shop and Post Office closed its doors in 2016 and re-opened in 2020 as a community owned social enterprise, but despite best efforts this ambitious venture failed to survive and closed in 2025. The premises have been bought and re-developed by a home design consultancy. Enterprising former members of staff have opened ‘Fork in the Road’, a small food van.

There is now little economic activity within the village except for the Auction Rooms and Car Body Shop (both located in the former linen factory, and later mushroom farm), and the ever present Blacksmith. The Village Shop and Post Office closed its doors in 2016 and re-opened in 2020 as a community owned social enterprise, but despite best efforts this ambitious venture failed to survive and closed in 2025. Enterprising former members of staff have opened ‘Fork in the Road’, a small food van. The premises have been bought and re-developed by a home design consultancy.

The Village School closed in 2007 despite a local campaign to keep it open and has now been converted into residential use. The Evangelical Church closed its doors in 2015 and has also been converted into residential use.

Nevertheless the village continues to change and develop. A strong community spirit remains a feature of the village and the Community Association – in various forms – has been a continuous presence since the introduction of the Mutual Improvement Society around 1830. The list of activities and events listed on this website is impressive for a small village, and caters for villagers of all ages.

A group of enthusiastic volunteers tends to the community garden, garden beds and tubs throughout the village, and many householders make a considerable effort to have their gardens in full bloom. Ever since being awarded the Best Kept Small Village in 1977 the village has retained its status as one of the nicest small villages in the area, currently holding a Beautiful Fife Gold Award.