St Margaret's Cave

Inside what looks like a public toilet or tourist information office, is one of the nicest surprises that I have encountered. After parking up ready to visit Dunfermline Abbey & Palace, I was curious about the little building in the corner of the car park. I headed over to find out this was St Margaret's Cave.

Behind the unassuming façade is and long and winding stairway, that leads you through a tunnel deep underground. What lies at the end is a den of tranquillity.

As you make your way down the steps, there are many information boards providing detail of the life and legacy of St Margaret.

Margaret was born to an exiled English Prince and Hungarian Noblewomen in 1045, and was brought up in Hungary. After the death of her father, both Margaret and her siblings were stranded in England. When attempting to return to Hungary, they were caught in a storm which threw their boat off course and into the Firth of Forth.

King Malcolm III generously took in the family and by 1070 Malcolm and Margaret were married. The marriage took place in a small church in Dunfermline, which is now the immense Dunfermline Abbey.

Queen Margaret herself was renowned for being very generous, frequently giving money to the poor, feeding local orphans and paying off prisoner's debts.

In 1072, Margaret was invited by Benedictine Monks to be involved in the start of a new monastery in Dunfermline and establish a crossing over the Forth to accommodate travelling pilgrims making their way to St Andrews.

As a hugely religious and spiritual Queen, the cave was used regularly by Margaret as a place of worship. After realising the importance of her faith, Malcolm refitted the cave, making it more comfortable for her time of prayer.

Queen Margaret died in November 1093 at Edinburgh Castle, only days after her husband and son were killed in battle at Alnwick, Northumberland.

In 1250, St Margaret was canonised as a Saint by Pope Innocent IV. Since the canonisation, the cave has been visited by thousands of pilgrims. St Margaret's Cave is a quiet and tranquil place, even I as a claustrophobic felt a sense of calm in the cave.

I gained permission from the chap at the entrance to use historical photos of the cave. Many thanks.

Here is a bit more history on the surrounding area.

In 1770, Bridge Street was built. This separated the nearby Pittencrieff Park and the Cave Valley.

By 1891, Cave Valley was bought by an ex Bailie (civic officer/magistrate) Walker and the metal gate installed to prevent vandalism.

In 1932, the Glen Bridge was built to reduce traffic through the centre of Dunfermline and the cave entrance.

In 1962, the Glen Bridge Car Park was built along with the Tower Burn Tunnel and the tunnel to St Margaret's Cave.

The entrance to the cave is via a small building in the corner of the car park. If you head to Dunfermline, do not miss out on this little treasure.