Tour Scotland photograph of Abbey Church in Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland. This large Benedictine abbey was administered by the Abbot of Dunfermline. The abbey was founded in 1128 by King David I of Scotland, but the monastic establishment was based on an earlier foundation dating back to the reign of Malcolm Canmore, 1058 to 1093). Dunfermline became a centre for the well promoted cult of St Margaret, Malcolm's wife and David's mother, from whom the monastery later claimed foundation and for which an earlier foundation charter was fabricated. Robert the Bruce was buried, in 1329, in the choir, now the site of the present parish church. Bruce’s heart rests in Melrose, but his bones lie in Dunfermline Abbey, where, after the discovery of the skeleton in 1818, they were reinterred with fitting pomp below the pulpit of the New church. In 1891 the pulpit was moved back and a monumental brass inserted in the floor to indicate the royal vault.
The foundations of the earliest church, the Church of the Holy Trinity, are under the present superb nave, built in the 12th century in the Romanesque style. The Abbey was sacked in 1560, and fell into disrepair, although part of the church continued in use. Substantial parts of the Abbey building remain, including the vast refectory. Next to the Abbey is the ruin of Dunfermline Palace.
Dunfermline Abbey, one of Scotland's most important cultural sites, has received more of Caledonia’s royal dead than any other place in the kingdom, excepting Iona. The northern renaissance makar, Robert Henryson, is one of the most notable non-royal names to be associated with the abbey. The tomb of Saint Margaret and Malcolm Canmore, within the ruined walls of the Lady chapel, was restored and enclosed by command of Queen Victoria.
During the winter of 1303 the court of Edward I of England was held in the abbey, and on his departure next year most of the buildings were burned. When the Reformers attacked the abbey church in March 1560, they spared the nave. This was repaired in 1570 by Robert Drummond of Carnock. It served as the parish church till the 19th century, and now forms the vestibule of the New church. This edifice, in the Perpendicular style, opened for public worship in 1821, occupies the site of the ancient chancel and transepts, though differing in style and proportions from the original structure.
The old building was a fine example of simple and massive Norman, as the nave testifies, and has a beautiful doorway in its west front. Another rich Norman doorway was exposed in the south wall in 1903, when masons were cutting a site for the memorial to the soldiers who had fallen in the Second Boer War. A new site was found for this monument in order that the ancient and beautiful entrance might be preserved. The venerable structure is maintained publicly, and private munificence has provided several stained glass windows. Of the monastery there still remains the south wall of the refectory, with a fine window.
The current church building, on the site of the old Abbey's choir, remains in use as a Parish Church in the Church of Scotland, still with the name Dunfermline Abbey.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
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