Moffat Cottage
| Moffat Cottage | |
|---|---|
 Moffat Cottage from Heriot Street, Inverkeithing | |
Interactive map of Moffat Cottage | |
| 56°01′56″N 3°23′45″W / 56.03225°N 3.39594°W | |
| Location | Heriot Street, Inverkeithing |
| History | |
| Built | Early 19th century |
Listed Building – Category C(S) | |
Official name | 13 Heriot Street, Moffat Cottage, including Summerhouse |
| Designated | 19 December 1979 |
| Reference no. | LB35104 |
Moffat Cottage is an early 19th century home in Inverkeithing in Fife, Scotland. The cottage is important to the Scottish missionary movement as the former home of Robert Moffat, and is associated with David Livingstone and his family.[1]
History
Moffat Cottage was built in the early 19th Century, and was the home of the father of the missionary Robert Moffat (1795-1883).[1][2][3] Moffat was the first man to translate the bible into an African language, and was a pioneer of the Kuruman Mission.[4]
Robert Moffat's daughter Mary married David Livingstone in 1845. Mary accompanied Livingstone on expeditions but in 1852 her health and her children's education forced her return to Scotland.[5]
David Livingstone, Moffat's son in law, is believed to have lived in the building during his first return to Britain between 1856 - 1858, and again in 1864 - 1865.[1][2][5] It is believed he built the summer house in the garden.[5] A commemorative plaque indicated Livingstone lived in the cottage at intervals between 1855 and 1865.[6]
The cottage later served as a doctors surgery, before returning as a private residence.[7]
In December 1979, Moffat Cottage received Category C listed status from Historic Scotland.
Description
Moffat cottage is listed as a "substantial 19th century cottage" in Historic Scotland's statement of interest in the building.[8] It is single storey and features a summerhouse believed to have been constructed by David Livingstone.[1][8]
References
- 1 2 3 4 "13 HERIOT STREET, MOFFAT COTTAGE, INCLUDING SUMMERHOUSE (LB35104)". portal.historicenvironment.scot. Archived from the original on 2025-04-27. Retrieved 2026-02-19.
- 1 2 "FIRST PERSON: A visit home to Scotland". ThoroldToday.ca. 2025-06-02. Retrieved 2026-02-19.
- ↑ "Inverkeithing from The Gazetteer for Scotland". www.scottish-places.info. Retrieved 2026-02-19.
- ↑ "Robert Moffat :". Gospel Fellowship Association Missions. Retrieved 2026-02-19.
- 1 2 3 Johnson, Rev. J. (1981). Inverkeithing past and present (1st ed.). Dunfermline: West Fife Educational Trust.
- ↑ "Moffat Cottage:-". A Son of the Rock. Retrieved 2026-02-19.
- ↑ "Front View | Image | trove.scot". www.trove.scot. Retrieved 2026-02-19.
- 1 2 Stuff, Good. "Moffat Cottage, 13-17 Heriot Street, Inverkeithing, Inverkeithing, Fife". britishlistedbuildings.co.uk. Retrieved 2026-02-19.