Abbot House Heritage Centre

Abbot House Heritage Centre is situated in Dunfermline's historic and beautiful Maygate. Below you will find forthcoming events, historical information and contact details.

Indestructible…Unmissable…Unforgettable!
 

Visit the oldest house in Dunfermline. Hear its story told by the resident ghost, and see its history unfold before you. Feel the atmosphere within its walls.

Begin your visit with The Spirit in the Stones audio-visual presentation in which the House’s friendly ghost recounts the story of Abbot House.
 
Trace the story of Scotland, Dunfermline and Abbot House through our award-winning displays and room settings.

St. Margaret’s Room recalls the colour and splendour of a Post-Reformation Abbey. It features the dazzlingly recreated, jewel-encrusted reliquary of Scotland’s saintly queen.

The Presence Chamber, with its 16th century mural and painted walls brings the work of Robert Henryson, Scotland’s Chaucer, to life. See the stunning replica of the glass goblet which James V1 believed could magically warn of the presence of poison.

The Long Gallery features walls and ceiling painted by Scotland’s great artist and author Alasdair Gray.

Stroll in the scented garden which once yielded the herbs for the Jacobite adventuress-turned apothecary, Lady Anne Halkett, to practice her healing arts.

Nearby, King Robert the Bruce lies beneath the Abbey’s tower. A faithful replica of his sword is displayed in the House. The mother of William Wallace is buried in the next door kirkyard.

For the better part of a millennium, pilgrims have beaten a path to Dunfermline’s door. Abbot House, once the administrative headquarters of the first and finest Benedictine Abbey in Scotland, is the jewel in Dunfermline’s crown. Situated in the historic quarter, beside the Abbey, Abbot House survived the ‘great fire of Dunfermline’ in 1624: it has outlasted even the great Abbey which it once served.

After centuries of varied use, prize-winning artists and craftsmen have worked painstakingly to bring the history of the House, and its grounds, to life. The work uncovered skeletons in the garden, a medieval mural, and opened up the nooks and crannies that had been hidden over the years.

It is now an award-winning Heritage Centre, telling the story of Dunfermline and Scotland. It is outstanding, not only for its authentic pink exterior, but for its atmospheric visitor experience. Hardly an episode in Scotland’s turbulent past has failed to leave its mark on the fabric of this treasure house of history, with its crow-stepped gables, turnpike stairs and barrel vaults.

Enjoy a light lunch and some of our delicious home-baking in the Abbot’s Kitchen or eat al fresco in the scented garden.

Browse our Gift Shop for high quality Scottish gifts and books. Dunfermline is easily accessed from the M90 and Abbot House is clearly signposted with parking nearby. We have limited parking for the disabled at the House.

Open all year (closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day)

November-February

Sunday to Friday 10am-4pm. Saturday 10am-5pm

March-October

Daily 10am-5pm

Last admission for tours 45 minutes before closing. Entry to ground floor free.

Full disabled access to ground floor with virtual tour presentation of upper floors on request.

For further information, contact us on details at bottom of this page.

Upcoming Events :

Dates : Monday 13th and Tuesday 14th October

Times : 8:00pm (doors open 7:00pm)

Tickets : £15. Available from Abbot House on 01383 733266.

From the open meadows of California's Sierra mountains, Corinne West spins tales with a part velvet and part grit voice that is both achingly penetrative and highly addictive. Her music has a cool, layered, yet driven sound and has been referred to as 'utterly spellbinding' 'radiant', and 'extraordinarily beautiful'.

Her writing runs a golden thread through country, bluegrass, western, Americana and folk, resulting in a style that is hers alone. She's already caught the ear of Bob Harris, who is a big fan and has played her cd on his show provoking tremendous listener response.

Corinne played at the Long Gallery in Abbot House earlier this year to great acclaim, and enjoyed the unique atmospheric location so much that she is returning from California to perform two concerts on Monday October 13th and Tuesday October 14th in what are certain to be sell-out performances.