Dunfermline Abbey

Being less than 20 miles drive from Edinburgh I decided to visit Dunfermline one weekend. It’s a fascinating and historic town and for me the main attraction is the Abbey.
The building itself is beautiful inside and out with lovely stone work and stained glass windows. It also has a long and rich history that’s intertwined with many of Scotland’s most famous historic figures and royalty. The staff were all friendly and very keen to share their knowledge on the Abbey and it’s history. All in all a great place to visit and spend a few hours. I popped back after sunset to take some photos as the gates to the grounds are open all the time.
Don /​

An awesome way to finish the day of castle hopping around the Kings of Fife. Leave plenty of time to explore this one, it is epic.
When you enter the Palace, you’ll go down a narrow set of stairs to get onto the grounds. From there, you can walk the grounds and explore the ruins. There are amazing arches and snippets of Palace history dotted on the grounds which are an interesting read.
The Abbey, a short walk across from the Palace, is a truly stunning form. The Romanesque architecture inside is well preserved and the stained glass windows are beautiful.
The Abbey church is also the last resting place of many Scottish Kings and Queens. There are grave sites scattered throughout the grounds and the area is surrounded by luscious greenery which I sadly did not have the time to explore.
I would totally come back for the chance to explore further and reccomend this destination as a must-​see.

Amazing glass windows and romanesque architecture!
Firs time I heard about this place was when I was walking along the Main street in South Queensferry. Apparently Queen Margaret crossed the waters to get to a praying place in Dunfermline in the 11^th century. King David I of Scotland then build a Benedictine Abbey in the 12^th Century on top of an earlier monastic establishment in memory of his mother Queen Margaret who became a Saint in 1250.
The abbey is/​was connected to Dunfermline Palace, which is now a ruin. When walking along the pathway up to the church entrance on the East side you can feel the power the place once radiated and still does today.
I particularly liked the half arches on the side of the abbey. It gave the place a mystic touch. Inside the abbey is split into two. One part is open to the public (tickets required) and the other part is for the church goers. Its the church of Scotland.
The windows in that place are mesmerizing. I can imagine that they cost a lot of money whoever sponsored them in previous centuries. If you look closely they are telling a story of the last supper (in the centre) and of Queen Margaret and King Malcolm Canmore.
Another thing so amazing (not for all people I gather) is that your are walking on grounds that hold the remains of a few Kings and Queens of Scotland, like Robert de Bruce, Alexander I, Alexander III, David I and of course Saint Margaret and her husband Malcolm. On top of the main tower the name Bruce is clearly visible to any visitor.
I will certainly go back and take more time to walk the grounds and the park nearby!

Schöné Abbey. Es werden sogar noch Gottesdienste hier durchgeführt. Man muss nur aufpassen, man darf NICHT von der Abbey in den alten Palast gehen es gibt einen eigenen Eingang!!!

Hier also liegt Robert the Bruce begraben
Die Kirche selbst verlangt keinen Eintritt!!! Für die Abtei ist der Explorer-​Pass von Vorteil

It’s easy to get complacent about history on your own doorstep so I took time out during a recent treasure hunt to have a good look around and I was impressed. A popular venue for weddings and wedding spotters, the Abbey deserve a few hours of anyone’s time. A pleasant day out.

i grew up in the shadow of this abbey so i guess i’m biased, but it really is beautiful! ancient and interesting graveyard to wander around and inside, if you can, get through to the main church and have a look at the wonderful carvings, magnificent windows and inlaid plaques on the floor. just across the road is the ruin of Dunfermline palace, where Robert the Bruce, Queen Margaret and King Malcolm once lived. The massive park ajoining was gifted from Andrew Carnegie to the people of dunfermline, locally known as ‘the glen’ its a day out in itself (that review to follow). Take a trip and walk around, the town isn’t much to look at but the historic side is very picturesque.