Tour Scotland Video Sir George and Lady Bruce Effigies Abbey Church Culross Fife

Tour Scotland video of the Sir George Bruce of Carnock and Lady Bruce Effigies in the Bruce Aisle in the Abbey Church on ancestry visit to Culross, Fife, Scotland. Sir George Bruce of Carnock, born 1550, died 1625, was a Scottish merchant and engineer. He was born in Carnock, near Dunfermline. Bruce was an innovator in coal mining techniques, introducing undersea mining into the Upper Hirst seam with use of new drainage technology. These innovations attracted much interest, including a visit from King James VI in 1617. Sir George Bruce invited him to visit one of his mines which tunnelled down beneath the sea bed. James ventured into the tunnel which went far out into the Firth of Forth and found himself at a shaft point where the coal was loaded onto the ships. Alarmed to find himself surrounded by water at the top of the shaft, James accused Sir George of an attempt on his life and declared that the whole affair was an act of treason. It was only when George Bruce pointed out the rowing boat and explained that one could either use that or return by the tunnel from whence they came that James relaxed again, and took the option of the boat journey.

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