Andrew Carnegie is one of Dunfermline’s most famous sons. Born here in 1835, he went on to be a successful industrialist in America, and a generous philanthropist. He invested substantial sums in his hometown.
Here in the nave, two windows have connections with Carnegie:
The Carnegie Window
A deeply personal monument, Carnegie donated this window in 1882, in memory of hisparents, William Carnegie and Margaret Morrison.
Designed by Douglas Strachan, it is based on the words ‘the work of righteousness, quietness and assurance for ever’. It shows a prophet sitting on the ruined ramparts of a fortress. He gazes away to distant hills which catch the first bright rays of dawn.
Above his head the symbols for East and West are encircled by the wings of peace.
This window was commissioned after a first window, made by Tiffany Glass, was rejected by the Commission for Ancient Monuments as too modern to be installed. The Tiffany Window was brought back to the building in 2019, and can be viewed today in the abbey church.
The West Window
A more public statement, this great window was also given to the church by Carnegie.
Designed by Dunfermline-born artist Sir Noel Paton, the window shows (from left to right):
- Sir William Wallace, guarding Scotland with his sword
- King Malcolm III (known as Canmore)
- Queen Margaret, founder of Dunfermline’s priory
- King Robert I (the Bruce), with his foot on a crowned red devil.
Depicting Malcolm and Margaret, the window remembers the founding of the abbey, while the figures of Wallace and Bruce evoke Scotland’s fight for independence.
