Dunfermline Abbey Inspires

A place of national importance

Standing large and proud within our city centre is Dunfermline Abbey. A place that is not only important to us local folk but also to the nation of Scotland. Described as Scotland’s oldest Abbey there has been a place of worship on this site since the 11th century, when it was founded by King Malcolm III and Queen Margaret who had married in Dunfermline in 1070. It was initially occupied by Benedictine Monks from Canterbury.

Visible from so many places in the city it provides a constant focal point for much of the turbulent history of our nation. The burial place of kings, queens and ordinary folk alike, it has seen destruction (particularly during The Reformation) and reconstruction in more peaceful times.

Of course one of the best known facts about The Abbey is that the last sovereign to be buried there was in none other than King Robert The Bruce. One of Scotland’s greatest ever historical figures he was buried in the choir in 1329 (minus his heart which was taken on crusade and eventually ended up in Melrose Abbey). Perhaps a lesser know fact is that Bruce was actually involved in the rebuilding of The Abbey complex in the year of his death.

Today The Abbey is still a functioning church and people are still getting married and having their funeral services there, but it also has the potential to hold many more inspirational events, such as the recent concert by local legends The Skids, which by all accounts went very well indeed. The good news is that they seem to be very keen to hold more iconic events so that gives me great encouragement. The focal point of our heritage centre definitely has a lot more life in it yet.