The Discovery of Robert The Bruce’s Grave, 1818

The discovery of Robert the Bruce’s grave at Dunfermline Abbey was made in 1818, nearly 600 years after his death. Robert the Bruce was the King of Scotland from 1306 until his death in 1329. He is best known for his victory at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, which helped to secure Scottish independence from England.

In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, there was a resurgence of interest in Scotland’s history and heritage, and several individuals began searching for the graves of famous Scottish figures. One of these individuals was James Ferguson, a local schoolmaster and amateur historian.

Ferguson became interested in the possible location of Robert the Bruce’s grave after reading an old chronicle that mentioned the king was buried at Dunfermline Abbey. He decided to investigate the matter further and began searching the abbey grounds.

After several months of searching, Ferguson finally found a stone coffin in the floor of the choir, where many of Scotland’s royalty were buried. The coffin was opened and inside was a complete skeleton, with a metal plate bearing the name “Robert Bruce, King of Scotland”. The skeleton was identified as that of Robert the Bruce, and the discovery of his grave was seen as a great triumph for Scottish heritage and pride.

The discovery of Robert the Bruce’s grave was widely celebrated in Scotland, and the abbey became a popular tourist destination. Today, the grave of Robert the Bruce can still be seen at Dunfermline Abbey, and the abbey remains one of Scotland’s most important cultural sites.