After leaving the Carnegie Museum we walked down to the Dunfermline Abbey and Palace grounds. What stands now are the outer walls, the entrance Arch to the grounds, and the Abbey itself. Much of the cemetery to the right of the Abbey Church was actually part of the original palace. You can still see parts of the walls and windows at the edges. The front portion of the church is from the original Abbey built in the 12th century. You walk through these tall grey stone columns in a relatively dark area, lighted by very few windows. There were no pews in this time as everyone stood. Where the original alter area was there is now a few stairs and a doorway which take you into the "new" portion of the Abbey Church which was built in the 1600's.

This newer part of the church was built over part of the original cemetery. The builders knew that Robert the Bruce was burried in the this cemetery, so skeletal remains were looked at to make certain that the correct body was removed and then reburied when the church was complete. His remains were positively identified by the fact that, like his father, he had died of leprosy. A casting was made of his skull which was placed in a glass and wood carved display case. When the church was completed his skeletal remains were replaced in just about their original spot from inside. A marble and brass effigy, supposedly life sized, was placed over his burial plot. The church's pulpit was then carved of wood and placed above the site. The pulpit is raised above the floor by around five feet so that the marble and brass effigy can be seen from all sides.

My brother Robert really liked this place and photographed the outside church tower carvings. As you approach the Abbey along the outside walls one looks up to the tower. The carving to be seen are words - one word to each side, reading "King Robert the Bruce". Rob's reason for liking it even more is due to the fact that his first and middle names are Robert Bruce - hmmm, wonder where that came from?? He was named Robert for my dad's father, and well, the Bruce just fit so well!

Outside the Abbey along the grounds are a pair of peacocks which live there. While walking around we heard this loud honking noise from the male peacock looking for his mate. He had gone off to the area in front of the Abbey, while his mate was along the outside wall just standing among the tulips. I got a great shot of her there. Tried to get a picture of the mate with his tale plumes out, but he was not as cooperative with the camera.