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Inside St Margaret's Cave, a small rock chamber lit warm at the end of a passage.
Fife

St Margaret's Cave

The little cave below Dunfermline where Queen Margaret of Scotland is said to have prayed in the eleventh century, reached by a tunnel beneath a car park.

Welcome

In the eleventh century, the story goes, Queen Margaret of Scotland would slip away from the royal household at Dunfermline to pray alone in a small cave in the ravine below the town.

Margaret, who married King Malcolm Canmore around 1070, lived a deeply religious life, and three of her sons became kings of Scotland. After her death in 1093 she was made a saint.

The cave now lies beneath the town. A small stone building marks the entrance, and from there a long tunnel and a flight of steps lead down under the ground to the little rock chamber at the end, lit softly, where panels and audio tell her story and that of medieval Dunfermline.

The cave opens for free tours in the summer and early autumn, which must be booked ahead.

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Before you go

Open for free pre-booked tours from June to early October, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, according to OnFife.

Book on 01383 602365.

Where
Glen Bridge car park, Dunfermline, KY12 8DQ.
Tours
Free, pre-booked.
Season
June to October.

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Where it is

Below the Glen Bridge car park in the centre of Dunfermline, KY12 8DQ.

Close byDunfermline.
  1. The green shopfront of Must Be Crackers! on Dunfermline High Street, its counter and shelves seen through the open door.Must Be Crackers!Under a mile as the crow flies
  2. Abbot HouseAbbot HouseThe abbots' pink house.1 mile 5 min by road
  3. Dunfermline Abbey and PalaceDunfermline Abbey and PalaceThe abbey where Margaret lies.1 mile 5 min by road
  4. Child runs across a ladybird-themed play park, ice cream van parked behindPittencrieff ParkThe Glen nearby.1 mile 5 min by road
  5. Aproned woman and dog stand outside Coorie by the Coast caféCoorie by the Coast4 miles 9 min by road
  6. The grave of Lilias Adie, a flat sandstone slab on the sands of Torryburn Bay at low tide.Grave of Lilias AdieA great sandstone slab on the shore of Torryburn Bay in Fife, marking the grave of Lilias Adie, a woman named as a witch in 1704.5 miles 10 min by road
Directions
Blackness Castle stands on the Firth of Forth shoreline at low tideAttractionsBlackness Castle5.0 miles as the crow flies
The counter at Dune Bakery in South Queensferry, with croissants, pains au chocolat, twists, cruffins and focaccia sandwiches behind glass.CafeDune Bakery6.4 miles
Parleyhill House's curved gable with its two oval attic windows, Culross.AttractionsThe House with the Evil Eyes7.1 miles
Haggs Wynd climbing past the palace wall.AttractionsHaggs Wynd Culross7.1 miles
Cochrane's bust with the Scottish and Chilean flags behind.AttractionsAdmiral Thomas Cochrane Statue Culross7.2 miles
The alabaster monument to Sir George Bruce with his children kneeling before it, Culross Abbey.AttractionsThe Bruce Vault, Culross Abbey7.2 miles
Ruined stone walls and arches beside a church tower with a Saltire flagAttractionsCulross Abbey7.2 miles
Forth Bridge's red steel cantilevers seen through overhanging tree branches across the waterAttractionsForth Bridge7.3 miles
Pink, white and ochre cottages line a narrow cobbled street in the rainAttractionsTanhouse Brae7.3 miles

Recommend to a friend

Stay nearby

Places to stay near the cave, and when each is next free.

West End Muse
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Fife
  • 13 miles from St Margaret's Cave
Check datesA hotel studio room with a beige fitted kitchen unit and stainless sink beside a bed dressed in white and teal cushions, a wall of black-framed pictures above a patterned headboard.Old Town Chambers
  • To stay
  • In Edinburgh
  • 14 miles from St Margaret's Cave
Check datesA round table and chairs stand before tall curtained windows looking onto stone buildings, a sofa and mounted television to the right.Moment George IV Bridge
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Edinburgh
  • 14 miles from St Margaret's Cave
Check datesA turreted sandstone building with conical spires catches the evening light above rooftops, a large pine tree standing beside it.The Scott Hotel
  • A hotel
  • In Edinburgh
  • 15 miles from St Margaret's Cave
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in FifeAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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