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Important notice

The palace is currently closed, but the rest of the abbey is open to explore. The Abbey Church is a working church and opening hours may vary due to services and events. Please check the plan your visit tab for details. 

What to expect on your visit

The abbey nave and grounds are open to visitors. Explore the abbey where some of Scotland’s greatest medieval monarchs were laid to rest and admire impressive stained-glass windows in the Romanesque nave.

The palace ruins are closed while conservation works are ongoing.

A visit to Dunfermline Abbey includes the Abbey Church, which is a working church operated by the Church of Scotland. Opening hours for this part of the site may vary due to services and events. This can affect access to the tomb of Robert the Bruce.

Dunfermline Abbey is free to visit. Donations are welcome.

Opening times

1 April – 30 September

  • Daily 10am to 4.30pm

1 October – 31 March

  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: 10am to 4pm
  • Wednesday: 10am to 4pm
  • Thursday: 10am to 4pm
  • Friday: 10am to 4pm
  • Saturday: 10am to 4pm
  • Sunday: Closed

Last entry and closures

  • Last entry: 30 minutes before closing in summer. 45 minutes before closing in winter.
  • Closed: 25 December to 2 January. Closes at 2pm on 24 December.

Closures for private services and events

Date

Details

No upcoming services or events.

How to get here

The abbey and palace are located at the heart of Dunfermline's Heritage Quarter, close to the High Street and Pittencrieff Park.

The site is approximately 0.2 miles from Dunfermline bus station and 0.5 miles from Dunfermline City railway station.

View Dunfermline Abbey and Palace on a Google map

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Address

St Margaret’s Street
Dunfermline
KY12 7PE

National Grid reference:

NJ 326 408

Contact

01340 820 121

Accessibility

Carers' tickets

Visitors with disabilities are charged standard admission rates (adult/concession/child). Proof of disability is not required. Up to two accompanying carers receive free entry per transaction.

Assistance dogs

Assistance dogs are permitted at all our sites and within roofed areas.

Parking

There is no visitor car park. It is possible to drop visitors off near the entrance to the site. There is on-street parking around 100m from the entrance to the abbey nave. There are no accessible bays. The nearest bicycle racks are at Carnegie Library.

Approach to the site

Visitors should follow the signage to the nearest entrance, this is usually at the gatehouse on the south side of the abbey (along a wooden walkway) or at the abbey's south west door. Staff are always on hand at the nave to help with access.

What to expect at the site

You will be able to explore all open areas of the site, including the nave, before moving through into the abbey church.

The nave is reached through the graveyard, which has tarmac paths. There are three steep stone steps at the door. If you require level access to the nave, please contact us in advance. Inside, the nave is on the level, with a floor of historic stone slabs. The nave is usually quiet and light levels can be low.

The inside of the abbey church is well-lit, with a mixture of natural and artificial lighting. It is mainly level. The flooring is a mixture of wooden boards and carpet. Accessible entry to the abbey church is located at the north east door. 

Toilets

There are no visitor toilets. There are toilets, adapted toilets and a Changing Places toilet are 100m away at Carnegie Library.

View Dunfermline Abbey and Palace on Euan's Guide

Facilities

  • Accessible by public transport
  • Shop
  • Dogs welcome in outdoor areas
  • Visitor centre

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A worker in high-visibility protective gear stands in a raised platform, examining the stone surface of an abbey tower with a long pointing tool.
Three costumed re-enactors dressed as Romans with red capes, armour and a rectangular shield. They standing in a grassy knoll, the remains of an ancient Roman fortification. As an amusing paradox, one of the Romans is holding a modern tablet device, and showing his companions the contents on screen.

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