The Abbey Church

Resting place of Robert the Bruce and a beacon of Scottish heritage.

The New Abbey Church of Dunfermline, built in 1821, is an excellent example of Gothic Revival architecture. Designed by William Burn of Edinburgh, the church was constructed on the site of the ruined medieval choir of the original abbey, which was lost after the Scottish Reformation. The building follows a cruciform plan, comprising a nave, transepts, and a chancel, and is oriented so that it lies immediately to the east of the surviving Romanesque nave of the original abbey.

The church exhibits the pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and vertical emphasis characteristic of the Gothic Revival style, providing a striking contrast to the Romanesque style of the adjacent medieval nave. Its floor plan forms a cross, with a prominent nave that is shorter than most due to the retained medieval nave to the west. This nave is flanked by transepts and culminates in a chancel to the east. The crossing tower is particularly notable, having been redesigned to incorporate the inscription “KING ROBERT THE BRUCE” — a reference to the royal tomb beneath the church, which was discovered during foundation work in 1818 and re-interred during the new construction.

Inside, the church contains outstanding stained glass windows, including works by Tiffany of New York, commissioned by Andrew Carnegie, along with other pieces by notable Scottish artists. The furniture and fittings thoughtfully reflect both the church’s medieval heritage and its continued function as an active parish. Internally, the church is designed to be light and airy, creating a contrast with the darker, heavier Romanesque nave. The shorter length of the nave in the new church allows for an open and spacious atmosphere.
This architectural blend between the historic Romanesque nave and the 19th-century Gothic Revival parish church gives Dunfermline Abbey its distinctive “church of two halves” appearance, a rare and evocative combination of Scotland’s medieval and early modern ecclesiastical heritage.

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The ongoing upkeep and maintenance of the Ministry of our historic Abbey is entirely funded by the generous support of our congregation and donations from visitors.
Donating allows us to continue to offer ministry in Dunfermline and welcome over 25,000 people every year to discover the Abbey’s place in Scotlands rich history.

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