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Dunfermline

August 2013

Dunfermline is a former burgh and current town in Fife, Scotland. The town grew under the influence of Queen Margaret to be an important ecclesiastical burgh (a town with special privileges). Until the 17th century, the town was the royal capital of Scotland. The union of the Scottish and English crowns in 1603 saw the end of the town's special status, which led to decline.

Dunfermline Scotland Dorsetcamera

Walking up Guildhall Street.

Dunfermline Scotland Dorsetcamera

Mercat Cross at the top of Guildhall Street at the junction with the High Street.

Dunfermline Scotland Dorsetcamera

Looking back down Guildhall Street.

Dunfermline Scotland Dorsetcamera

The view east along the High Street.

Dunfermline Scotland Dorsetcamera

Walking west along the High Street towards City Chambers. The Chambers were constructed in the 1870’s on the site of an earlier 17th Century Town House.

Dunfermline Scotland Dorsetcamera

The Abbot House. See below for more details.

Dunfermline Scotland Dorsetcamera
Dunfermline Scotland Dorsetcamera

The entrance past the Abbot House which leads to Dunfermline Abbey.

Dunfermline Scotland Dorsetcamera

These very elegant decorative tiles were on the walls within the public conveniences.

Dunfermline Scotland Dorsetcamera

The rear of the Abbot's House. The property includes a heritage centre and a cafe. The cafe serves excellent cakes and a very welcome cup of tea.

Dunfermline Scotland Dorsetcamera

A plaque in the wall on the approach to the Abbey to mark the place where Margaret, mother of William Wallace, lies buried.

Dunfermline Scotland Dorsetcamera

The west door of Dunfermline Abbey. The Abbey, whose foundation goes back to 1072, was built by King David I of Scotland in honour of his mother the saintly Queen Margaret

Dunfermline Scotland Dorsetcamera

The southern aspect of the Abbey.

Dunfermline Scotland Dorsetcamera

The Abbey Tower around which is written King Robert The Bruce. The present tower was rebuilt in the 1800’s following the collapse of the Great Tower. The Abbey contains the tomb of Robert the Bruce who died in 1329.

Dunfermline Scotland Dorsetcamera

The remains of the Monk’s Refectory which was commissioned by King Robert the Bruce in the early 1300’s.

Dunfermline Scotland Dorsetcamera

The remains of the Royal Palace which must have had magnificent views from the high ground down towards the Forth. The Palace was built by King James VI. It became the home of his queen, Anna of Denmark. King Charles I was born here in 1600, the last king to be born in Scotland. With James and Anna’s departure for London in 1603, royal interest in Dunfermline waned. The palace fell into disrepair.

Dunfermline Scotland Dorsetcamera

The Gatehouse connecting the Royal Palace and the Monk’s Refectory.

Dunfermline Scotland Dorsetcamera

The flying buttresses on the Abbey.

Dunfermline Scotland Dorsetcamera

The the inside of the Monk’s Refectory.