Dunfermaline Abbey

Dunfermline was once the capital of the Kingdom of Scotland between the 11-13th centuries, and the burial site of the Scottish monarchs after the island of Iona. Here we find the relics of great Scottish rulers of the past, including the grave of Robert the Bruce, Scotland’s “Braveheart”.

It is a parish, a city, a former royal burgh in Fife, and is located three miles from the northern shore of the Firth of Forth (that body of water where Edinburgh is found on its southern shore). 







The city was first recorded in the 11th century when Malcolm III and Saint Margaret married at Dunfermline. She established a church which became Dunfermline Abbey which evolved to become the burial site of 7 kings and 11 of their relatives between 1093 and 1420.

Traditional view of Dunfermline Abbey.


In the 18th century, Dunfermline became a regional economic powerhouse with the introduction of the linen industry. Today the city is a major service centre with the largest employers being Sky UK, Amazon, Best Western, TechnipFMC, Lloyds and Nationwide.


Dunfermline Bridge over the Firth of Forth.

Dunfermline was a pivotal place in my very first experience of finding a father through DNA; which I wrote about in my Buchan blog. Later I found my own Buchans in Dunfermline, so I will be taking great interest when we travel there.

Watch for that update!
Dunfermline Abbey has the tomb of Robert the Bruce, which was only found in 1818. A very knowledgeable guide told a great story. The skeleton had ribs over the left chest removed, supporting the theory that it was the body of the man whose heart is buried at Melrose Abbey. The story was that the heart was taken to Jerusalem, but the guide poo-poo’d that. Lauren our guide, said that the name Braveheart was used in reference to a crusader friend of Bruce saying as he threw the heart toward Jerusalem “go forward Braveheart and I will follow you everywhere”, sort of. Anyway the movie Braveheart has applied this to William Wallace, so Scots very unhappy with that usage.
Day 2 off the Perth.

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  1. School BookApril 24, 2025 at 5:52 AM

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    1. School BookApril 24, 2025 at 6:04 AM

      A few years ago we visited Dunfermline as I had been given original photos from Dunfermline. I didn't know then who the people were but later found out Bain connection

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