Venue Description

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 the other monarchs interred here. Charles I was born in the palace that grew up alongside the abbey. Look for grand architecture, elaborate carvings, a painted vault of the 1500s, stained glass windows and displays of sculpture. The Abbey Church is not managed by Historic Environment Scotland but is open to the public. 29 Mar to 30 Sept: Mon to Sat, 10am to 4.30pm; Sun, 2pm to 4.30pm (last entry 4pm). 1 Oct to 28 Mar: Daily except Sun and Mon, 10am to 4pm (last entry 3.30pm). Please refer to dunfermlineabbey.co.uk for information about services in the Abbey Church which may affect access to the tomb of Robert the Bruce and the Tiffany Window.

Accessibility

Approach to site The palace and nave are both approached by pavements, which are mostly level. There are several entrances into the Abbey Nave. Only the north entrance has level access. Visitor centre The visitor centre is around 25m along a narrow 1250mm gantry surfaced with wooden slats. There are then two steep stone steps down into the ticket office with no handrail. Monument There is access to a level tarmac path that overlooks the Palace. This requires a key from the visitor centre. Please phone the site on 01383 739 026 if you cannot access the visitor centre. A steward will come out to greet you. The main route into the palace from the visitor centre is down a very narrow stone spiral stair of 23 steps, without a handrail. From here there are further stone steps down into the lower level of the palace, also with no handrail. The lower level of the palace 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. An exhibition on the history of the Abbey and Palace is reached up 18 wooden steps with a single handrail. A carved stone exhibition is reached down four stone steps with a single cast-iron handrail on the left.

Access Statement

Access Statement Link: http://wwwhistoricenvironment.scot/access

Accessible Performances

We do also occasionally have events in the nave, where full access is available.. However if there was an event in the palace, the access would be quite limited.

Toilets

The nearest adapted toilet is about 350m away at Debenhams, Kingsgate Shopping Centre, KY12 7QA.

Staff

Information about the staff has not been added for this venue.