Dunfermline Abbey and Palace
The Property
Following the Protestant Reformation of 1560, Queen Anna of Denmark created an imposing palace with the monastic guesthouse at its heart. Charles I was delivered here in 1600 – the last monarch to be born in Scotland.
Highlights
- Visit King Robert the Bruce’s tomb
- Stand in awe of the hugely impressive nave
- Marvel at the monks’ refectory
- Explore the shrine of St Margaret
Dunfermline Abbey
St Catherine's Wynd, Dunfermline, KY12 7NA, UK
Opening hours
Dunfermline Abbey and Palace
Please visit the Historic Environment Scotland website for up to date opening hours.
Dunfermline Abbey Church
Please visit the church website for up to date opening hours.
Admission prices
Dunfermline Abbey and Palace
Member/Explorer Pass holder: FREE
Adult: £6.00
Concession: £4.80
Child aged 5–15: £3.60
Child under 5: FREE
Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Concession price: this applies if you can show proof that you’re aged 60+ or unemployed. Admission prices are subject to change.
Dunfermline Abbey Church
Entry is free but donations to the upkeep of the building are always welcome.
Access
Parking
On-street parking (no accessible bays) is available about:
100m from the gatehouse entrance
150m from the north entrance in the abbey nave
Visitors can be dropped off at the site entrance.
Approach to site
The Abbey nave is accessed from the door on the South West, level access is from the North entrance and access can be made with help from the stewards in the visitor centre.
Please call 01383 739 026 if you’re unable to enter the visitor centre. A steward will come out to greet you.
Visitor centre
The visitor centre is about 25m from the site entrance along a narrow, 125cm-wide gantry surfaced with wooden slats. There are then two steep stone steps down into the ticket office with no handrail.
Toilets
Nearest adapted toilet is about 350m away at:
Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Galleries, 1-7 Abbot St, Dunfermline KY12 7NW
Monument
It’s possible to access a level tarmac path that overlooks the palace by requesting the key from the visitor centre.
Access to the palace from the visitor centre is down a very narrow spiral staircase of 23 steps (no handrail).
The lower level of the palace:
is reached down further stone steps with no handrail
has raised thresholds and projecting archaeological remains
The refectory is reached up three wooden steps with a single handrail and then down a stone spiral staircase with no handrail.
Access to an exhibition on the history of the abbey and palace is up 18 wooden steps with a single handrail.
A carved stone exhibition is reached down four stone steps with a single handrail on the left.
Dogs
Assistance dogs are permitted at all our sites and within roofed areas.
Visitors’ dogs are allowed at Dunfermline Abbey but are not permitted in roofed areas.
Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times and not left unattended. A no fouling rule applies at all our sites.