Dunfermline Abbey and Palace
Dunfermline Abbey and Palace
Dunfermline Abbey and Palace
4.5
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Dunfermline Abbey Nave is now open (the palace remains closed) and we are delighted to welcome you back. Booking in advance is essential. Admire one of Scotland's most impressive medieval interiors and most important royal sites, founded as a priory in about 1080. Robert the Bruce was buried in the medieval choir, now beneath the Abbey church of 1821. St Margaret and David I are among a number of monarchs and other royalty laid to rest here. Charles I was born in the palace that grew up alongside the abbey.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
658 reviews
Excellent
406
Very good
191
Average
42
Poor
12
Terrible
7
Maria H
10 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
We were very impressed by this place went not expecting too much as we know the palace was a ruin however the historic Scotland staff member really brought it to life. His knowledge and direction were superb. My daughter was given a quiz which kept her engaged while we were exploring. The nave of the abbey was beautiful, disappointing the the actual abbey was closed for winter so we were unable to visit the resting place of king Robert the Bruce we will definitely try and take a trip back at some point. There is a small museum just next to the abbey which is also worth a visit free entry and has a lovely tea room. Thumbs up from us!
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Graeme C
Madrid10 contributions
Sep 2019
The cafe inside Carnegie Library offers a great selection of such food, the lentil soup was delicious. I found it a wee bit expensive for lunch and what I had (soup, tray bake & coffee = £10 approx). However, the beautiful weather meant I could sit outside overlooking the Abbey, graveyard and newly sculpted gardens.
Written February 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacqui M
674 contributions
Oct 2020
We visited on a blustery autumn day, and were relieved to spend most of our time indoors. The palace was still closed, but there is plenty to admire inside the abbey and church. We wandered around the abbey nave, admiring the Romanesque columns, 'frescoes' on the ceiling and stained glass windows. The adjoining church used to be part of the abbey and was rebuilt in the 1800s; hence the stark contrast in architectural styles. We got a comprehensive summary of the history of the 2 buildings from very helpful guides. Recent imaging work had shown the possible burial site of Robert the Bruce within the church. Don't forget to stop at the shrine to Queen Margaret, Scotland's only royal saint, just behind the church. Then wander round the graveyard and look over to the ruins of the palace and the lovely park beyond. Well worth a visit, pity about the weather!
Written October 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
victoria B
Lincolnshire, UK577 contributions
Sep 2021
The nave is lined with stone pillars each with a different design and some dating from the Norman period.
There is a Georgian church attached which is still in use. Robert the Bruce is buried here and there are also some fine marble effigies. An organist was giving an impromptu concert, playing Handel, Elgar and Bach which certainly added to the pleasure of my visit.
There is a Georgian church attached which is still in use. Robert the Bruce is buried here and there are also some fine marble effigies. An organist was giving an impromptu concert, playing Handel, Elgar and Bach which certainly added to the pleasure of my visit.
Written November 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bandit-One
Lucerne, Switzerland7,836 contributions
Aug 2022
This Abbey was surely a highlight on our Road Trip through the UK. Firstly the architecture and secondly the history: Robert The Bruce is laid to rest here!
Dunfermline’s story stretches back to the 11th century – the time of Malcolm III and his queen, Margaret. Their son, David I, raised the status of the little priory to abbey in the 12th century.
It started as a priory back in 1070. The Romanesque pillars are surely a sight to behold. The whole abbey is such an impressive masterpiece.
The Abbey Nave is managed by the Historic Environment Scotland, while the abbey itself is not in care of the HES and is free to enter.
And be sure to enter the abbey: Robert I was interred before the high altar in 1329. His heart was taken on crusade before eventually being buried at Melrose Abbey. If you're interested even the slightest in (scottish) history, then Robert The Bruce's resting place is an absolute must-do.
A fantastic visit, we've spent a lot more time than planned. Surely worth it. Highly recommended. And make sure to check out the lovely parklands as well - just across the street.
Dunfermline’s story stretches back to the 11th century – the time of Malcolm III and his queen, Margaret. Their son, David I, raised the status of the little priory to abbey in the 12th century.
It started as a priory back in 1070. The Romanesque pillars are surely a sight to behold. The whole abbey is such an impressive masterpiece.
The Abbey Nave is managed by the Historic Environment Scotland, while the abbey itself is not in care of the HES and is free to enter.
And be sure to enter the abbey: Robert I was interred before the high altar in 1329. His heart was taken on crusade before eventually being buried at Melrose Abbey. If you're interested even the slightest in (scottish) history, then Robert The Bruce's resting place is an absolute must-do.
A fantastic visit, we've spent a lot more time than planned. Surely worth it. Highly recommended. And make sure to check out the lovely parklands as well - just across the street.
Written December 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gene R J
Silver Spring, MD9,059 contributions
May 2022
We stopped here on our way from The Kelpies to Dundee. After parking(2GBP/2+hours) in front of the Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum and receiving an excellent free tour, we walked a ½ mile circuit to this 11th C ruins. Inside, while seeing some of its structural details, we discovered free tickets were available to enter the repaired abbey nave and the adjoining 19th C parish church. There, a docent opened the door to display its interesting columns, beautiful stained glass and the historical royal tomb markers before directing us into the new church where Robert the Bruce is buried.
Having seen the movie, Braveheart, and visited the Sterling battle site, this was a highpoint, accompanied with organ music.
Having seen the movie, Braveheart, and visited the Sterling battle site, this was a highpoint, accompanied with organ music.
Written May 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tcc334
Aberdeen, UK173 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
Visited here today. Stained glass exhibition was really interesting and the Abbey was a truly lovely place to wander round. The custodians are clearly very knowledgeable and happy to answer any questions. Pre-booking required. X
Written August 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anna J
Edinburgh, UK6 contributions
Aug 2021
Visited while the palace was still closed but the Abbey nave was open, and saw the stained glass exhibition, which was great, lovely setting and very informative. Feel like I haven't given Dunfermline enough credit before! The staff here were really great too, very knowledgeable and helpful. Highly recommend!
Written August 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
k44ldo
Armadale, UK56 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
What a lovely place to spend an hour or so. Being members of Historic Scotland we’ve visited a few of there sites, the guy at the visitor centre deserves a special mention. Farrell was so knowledgeable and could tell he loved taking about it. We plan to bring the kids back once the church is open after March to see the Kings Tomb 👌
Written February 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheQueensman
Paisley, UK133 contributions
Jun 2022
Visited the Abbey Church mainly to see Robert The Bruce's tomb but was impressed with the stained glass windows. Wonderful.
There was a chap stood at the pulpit and tomb area who answered any questions and spoke about The Bruce and his family and what happened to them. A very knowledgable man, thank you for telling me things I did not know about his life. Very interesting.
There was a chap stood at the pulpit and tomb area who answered any questions and spoke about The Bruce and his family and what happened to them. A very knowledgable man, thank you for telling me things I did not know about his life. Very interesting.
Written June 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
anamp01
Valencia, Spain20 contributions
¿Cuánto tiempo deberÃa dedicarle? QuerÃa pasar de camino al Castillo de Blair e Inverness, pero no sé si me quedará muy apretado
John H
East Grinstead, UK8 contributions
Will there there be access to the Bruce in may?
ByHistoricScotland
Edinburgh1 contribution
Good Afternoon John
Thank you for your enquiry.
With regard to access to the Bruce,it would be the Abbey Church which is not part of Historic Scotland. I would recommend telephoning them on: 44 (0)1383 724586
Kind Regards
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Frequently Asked Questions about Dunfermline Abbey and Palace
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Dunfermline Abbey and Palace Information
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