One of the oldest settlements in Scotland , Dunfermline was the capital of Scotland for more than 500 years and throughout its history has been home to monks, monarchs and manufacturers.
The town’s main historic features are Dunfermline Abbey and the adjoining ruins of the former Palace. Dunfermline Palace was an ancient Royal Residence most notably of King Malcolm Canmore and Queen Margaret in the 11th Century. The Palace was the birthplace of Charles I , legend has it that after he was born a bloodied dove flew in through the window and landed on the infant Charles. An ill omen indeed for the King responsible for the Civil War.
Dunfermline Abbey dates back 900 years, a red sandstone building with magnificent gothic arches, that was sadly badly damaged in the ravages of the Reformation. The abbey is the last resting place for many of Scotland’s Monarchs most notably King Malcolm, Queen Margaret and King Robert the Bruce , whose body rests beneath the pulpit here but his heart is buried in Melrose Abbey . The modern parish church dominates today’s abbey.
Dunfermline Abbey
Dunfermline was also the birthplace of famous philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. After spending his childhood here he immigrated to the United States and made his fortune in Pittsburgh Steel. As well as funding and establishing educational institutions in the US such as the Carnegie Mellon University and of course Carnegie Hall, he returned to Dunfermline to gift many of the towns municipal areas to the public. He built Carnegie hall and the central library and he achieved a childhood dream when he bought the once private and closed gardens of Pittencrief park for £45,000 and opened it to the public.
Though a small town with a population of just over 55,000, Dunfermline is nevertheless a town of great interest for its size and within easy distance to Edinburgh for a day trip.
