Dunfermline Abbey & Royal Palace

**cessna152towser** · 19th August 07, 10:26 AM

Dunfermline, the ancient capital of Scotland was one of the destinations on offer in The Scottish Bus Rally, and I took the opportunity of a ride to there from the rally HQ on this World War II vintage Austerity Bus.

Walking down Bruce Street from the bus stance towards Dunfermline Palace the view is dominated by the clock tower of Dunfermline's City Chambers.

Shortly we come to the gatehouse of the Royal Palace and Abbey, with the Abbey off to the left and the Palace to the right.

The history of Dunfermline Abbey dates from around 1070 when Queen Margaret married Malcom III here, following which she invited Benedictine monks from Canterbury in England to settle here, though the Royal Palace/Abbey Guesthouse of which we can visit the remains today dates from early 14th century.

Dunfermline Abbey and Palace was associated with royalty for more than 500 years until the Union of the Crowns and many Scottish Kings and Queens are buried here; but Charles I was the last king to be born in Dunfermline Palace.

The remains of the palace today.

Another view of the palace, this time looking back towards the gatehouse.

**Mike1** · 19th August 07, 10:30 AM

Good shots! Thanks for posting them.

**cessna152towser** · 19th August 07, 10:31 AM

The Abbey Refectory

In the Refectory

Here we see on the left the surviving original Abbey nave, with buttresses added later for support and to its right the newer church built in the 1820's on the site of the ruins of the original Abbey Choir.

The interior of the nave.

Stained glass window in the nave

A connecting door which would once have led into the original Abbey choir now leads into the splendid 1820's church.

Beneath the pulpit we find the tomb of Robert the Bruce.

**Warhoover** · 19th August 07, 10:35 AM

Wonderful photos! Dunfermline must have been a wonderful site in its glory. Thanks again for another wonderfull tour!
That stained glass is absolutely gorgeous! Its a shame that they have to stick those little placards all over everything these days to keep people from touching them.

The laundry list of things to see in Scotland just grows and grows.

**cessna152towser** · 19th August 07, 10:36 AM

A view of St. Margaret's Church from the Abbey Burial Ground. (having exited on the opposite side from the earlier view) To the left is the remains of St. Margaret's Shrine. Queen Margaret was canonised as a saint by Pope Innocent IV in 1250. To the right is the Abbey Nave.

The Abbot's House stands adjacent to Dunfermline Abbey Burial Ground.

On the way back to the bus stance I came upon a kilt shop.

And another

There were frequent buses shuttling to and from the Scottish Bus Rally HQ and I left Dunfermline on this 1964 Bristol Lodekka.

**pipesndrumsnun** · 19th August 07, 12:10 PM

The only thing I can say is "WOW"!!

**McClef** · 19th August 07, 12:14 PM

Brilliant pictures Alex!

Funnily enough I have never been to Dumfermline even though it's in Fife!

**freddie** · 19th August 07, 12:47 PM

Great pics as always Alex. Dunfirmline is a lovely place to visit and very 'atmospheric'. I was there last year but unfortunately went on a Sunday, and couldn't get in to see the alter and Robert The Bruce's tomb as there was a service going on. Still, just being close to that spot sent shivers down my spine, and I WILL visit again to pay proper homage. One interesting thing was that my Grandfather was born there, and his surname was Morris (my christian name - no, Freddie was a Scottish race horse!) and on a 17thc. burial slab in the nave was the name Alexander Morries. I just wondered if this could have been the same family, and the name had become corrupted over the centuries - who knows ?