Cathedrals · Central Scotland
Dunfermline Abbey
In or near Dunfermline.
Dunfermline Abbey is a cathedral in the United Kingdom.

kim traynor — CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 1 h–2 h
- Best time of year
- Year-round
- Nearest railway station
- Dunfermline City · 0.7 km
- Free entry
- Family-friendly
- Wheelchair accessible
Getting there & planning your visit
Dunfermline Abbey is located in Fife, Scotland, with the nearest railway station being Dunfermline City, approximately 0.7 km away. Entry to the abbey is free, and it is accessible for wheelchair users. The postcode for navigation is KY12 7PH.
About
Dunfermline Abbey is a cathedral in scotland central, United Kingdom — the principal church of its diocese, dating from 1101. Cathedrals are seats of bishops in the Church of England, the Roman Catholic Church, and other Christian denominations across Britain.
Photo gallery
Summary from the official site
Dunfermline Abbey is one of Scotland's oldest churches, known for its historical significance and architectural beauty. Visitors can explore the tomb of King Robert the Bruce, admire stunning stained glass windows, and experience a blend of medieval, Romanesque, and Gothic styles in a welcoming environment.
Read more on the official property page.
From the Wikipedia article
Dunfermline Abbey is a Church of Scotland parish church in Dunfermline, Scotland. The church occupies the site of the ancient chancel and transepts of a large medieval Benedictine abbey, which was confiscated and sacked in 1560 during the Scottish Reformation and permitted to fall into disrepair. Part of the old abbey church continued in use at that time and some parts of the abbey infrastructure still remain.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
History
]] The Benedictine Abbey of the Holy Trinity and St Margaret, was founded in 1128 by King David I of Scotland, but the monastic establishment was based on an earlier priory dating back to the reign of his father King Máel Coluim mac Donnchada, i. e. "Malcolm III" or "Malcolm Canmore" (regnat 1058–93), and his queen, St Margaret. In the decades after its foundation the abbey was the recipient of considerable endowments, as seen from the dedication of 26 altars donated by individual benefactors and guilds where private masses for those benefactors would have been said. The abbey was an important destination for pilgrims because it hosted the reliquary shrine and cult of Saint Margaret from…
Architecture
The old building was a fine example of simple and massive Romanesque, as the nave testifies, and has a beautiful doorway in its west front. Alexander I had the two towers built which flanked the great western entrance. Another rich Romanesque doorway was exposed in the south wall in 1903, when masons were cutting a site for the memorial to the soldiers who had fallen in the Second Boer War. A new site was found for this monument in order that the ancient and beautiful entrance might be preserved. The venerable structure is maintained publicly, and private munificence has provided several stained-glass windows. The architecture of the Afghan Church in Mumbai in India (dedicated to St John…
Visiting
The current building on the site of the choir of the old abbey church is a parish church of the Church of Scotland, still with the name Dunfermline Abbey. The minister () is the Reverend MaryAnn R. Rennie.
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 56.0697, -3.4635
- District
- Fife
- Postcode
- KY12 7PH
- Parliamentary constituency
- Dunfermline and Dollar
- Established
- 1101
- Nearest railway station
- Dunfermline City — 0.7 km
- Opening
- Mar 29-Sep 30 Mo-Sa 10:00-16:30, Su 13:00-16:00; Tu-Sa 10:00-16:00; Dec 25-Jan 05 off
- Official site
- www.dunfermlineabbey.co.uk
Sources
- wikidata: Q2044924 (CC0)
- wikipedia: Dunfermline Abbey (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Other places nearby

Dunfermline Abbey
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New Abbey Parish Church, Dunfermline Abbey, Dunfermline
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World War Ii Memorial, Monastery Street (North Side), Dunfermline
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Dunfermline City Chambers
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Dunfermline Congregational Church, 6 Canmore Street, Dunfermline
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is Dunfermline Abbey?
- Dunfermline Abbey is in central Scotland, United Kingdom (postcode KY12 7PH).
- What is Dunfermline Abbey?
- Dunfermline Abbey is a cathedral in the United Kingdom.
- How do I get to Dunfermline Abbey?
- The nearest railway station is Dunfermline City, about 0.7 km away. Drivers can use postcode KY12 7PH.
- When was Dunfermline Abbey built?
- Built or established in 1101. Designed by William Burn.
- Is Dunfermline Abbey free to visit?
- Yes, Dunfermline Abbey is free to enter.
- How do I get to Dunfermline Abbey?
- The nearest railway station is Dunfermline City, about 0.7 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode KY12 7PH.