Places of Interest

The great abbey of Dunfermline was founded in the 11th century by Queen Margaret and the foundations of the original building lie under the stunning 12th century Romanesque style nave. The Abbey Church is the last resting place of many Scottish kings and queens.

In addition to the abbey itself, over the years extensive monastic buildings were built to the south of the abbey church. with cloisters, dormitories, refectories and a calefactory, or warming house. This was the only part of the building which had any heating, which must have made life very hard for the Benedictine monks who lived there.

Over the centuries, as a result of royal patronage, the abbey flourished and expanded. An important role of the building was to provide accommodation for important visitors, including the reigning monarchs. A large guest house was built and King James VI's wife, Anne of Denmark, was granted the guest house in 1589. It was remodeled to provide a palace for her use. The future King Charles I was born there in 1600.

The abbey ceased to function as such after the Reformation of the church in Scotland in 1560, but fortunately the nave of the church continued to be used as the local parish church. As a result much of the abbey has survived to this day.