Leaving a Legacy to the Abbey Church of Dunfermline
After deciding how you want to make provision for your loved ones in your Will, you may wish to consider a legacy to the Abbey Church of Dunfermline. In most instances, a legacy to this registered charity (number SC016883) is tax free and would reduce inheritance tax on your estate, and make a positive difference to the Abbey and its community for future generations.Included here is some information about how to make a legacy, a process that can be easily completed by making a new Will or adding a codicil to your current Will. We always recommend that you speak with a solicitor whe
What can my legacy accomplish?
Unrestricted legacies to the Abbey Church of Dunfermline are incredibly important, as they enable us to use your gift for the areas of greatest need. But we do appreciate that you may wish to specify a particular area of support, and we would welcome the opportunity to speak with you about this to ensure that your wishes can be met. Below are a few options:
- Unrestricted support to areas of greatest need, allowing the Abbey to further develop its strengths and address immediate challenges.
- To support the Abbey’s musical programme, allowing us to further develop our choir and host performances throughout the year.
- To support community activities, such as the youth group, home visits, and outreach programmes in Fife.
- To support Abbey buildings and architecture, ensuring that community groups can continue to meet in fit-for-purpose buildings, and that future generations can appreciate this historically-significant space.
The Bruce Circle
As thanks and recognition for pledging a legacy gift to the Abbey, you will be warmly invited to join our Bruce Circle. This Circle is named after King Robert the Bruce, who is buried here, and whose name is carved in the stone of the church’s Victorian tower.
What kinds of gifts can I leave in my Will?
A share of your estate(Residuary Legacy)
This type of legacy is defined as either all or a percentage of your remaining estate, after fees, outstanding costs and other gifts have been disbursed. This gift keeps track with inflation, rather than being a fixed sum.Suggested wording: “I give free of tax all (or specify %) of the residue of my real and personal estate to the Abbey Church of Dunfermline (charity number SC016883) to be used to support where the need is greatest (or specify area) and I direct that the receipt of the Treasurer of the Abbey Church of Dunfermline or other duly appointed officer for the time being of the said charity shall be sufficient discharge for my Executors or Trustees.”
A specific gift of money (Pecuniary Legacy)
This type of legacy is a fixed sum of money. It should be noted that this type of legacy decreases over time, as the cost of living increases; however, if you link your legacy to the Retail Price Index, then the value of the gift you make today is worth the same in future.
Suggested wording: “I give free of tax the sum of £…. (inflation linked to the Retail Price Index, preferably) or …. (specify gift) to the Abbey Church of Dunfermline (charity number SC016883) to be used to support where the need is greatest (or specify area) and I direct that the receipt of the Treasurer of the Abbey Church of Dunfermline or other duly appointed officer for the time being of the said charity shall be sufficient discharge for my Executors or Trustees.”
Other types of gifts
Gifts of land, buildings, personal property (antiques or jewellery, for example), shares or securities, can be made tax free to the Abbey Church of Dunfermline, and as a registered charity we do not pay stamp duty of receipt of outright gifts of land or buildings.
Leaving a legacy outside the UK
USA
If you are a USA taxpayer you can designate the Abbey Church of Dunfermline as a beneficiary in your Will, since bequests to overseas charities are typically exempt from US estate tax. This is applicable to personal property, stock securities, life insurance, personal retirement plans, and real estate.
Canada
The Abbey Church of Dunfermline (charity number SC016883) is registered under Article VIII of the Canadian Tax Code as an eligible charitable institution, and is thus able to receive tax-exempt bequests from Canadian taxpayers.
Rest of World
We warmly welcome gifts and legacies to the Abbey Church of Dunfermline from around the world. If you are considering making a gift from another country, please contact the Treasurer of the Abbey so that we are aware of this intention.
Ringing True
The bells that can be heard joyfully chiming through the High Street and down the Glen proclaim a long history of giving to Dunfermline Abbey. From the first chime of bells gifted by public subscription in memory of Andrew Carnegie, to additions over the decades that have transformed its musical range, the Belfry shares many stories of how the Abbey has and will continue to touch our community.
As the Abbey Bells spoke to the little Dunfermline laddie a century ago, and were like the voice of God to him, so may this beautiful and most fitting memorial, erected by the people of his native town as a tribute to him, continue to chime forth its message of harmony and goodwill to countless generations.
Mrs Louise Carnegie, from the Dedication of the Chime of Bells in memory of Andrew Carnegie, Monday 19thSeptember 1938
When I hear the bells of the Abbey – and in particular, the two with the highest pitches – I think of my parents, in whose memory I gifted them, and remember their love for this Church community.
Anonymous, recent donor
I wish to help the Abbey Church of Dunfermline continue its work in the community by joining the Bruce Circle.
If you are considering leaving a gift to the Abbey Church of Dunfermline in your Will, please let us know by completing this pledge form. Knowing your intentions is extremely helpful for us, and helps us ensure that as a new member of the Bruce Circle you are invited to events that may be of interest.
