The Bruce

This chapel is the memorial to King Robert and in particular, the victory of the Bruce at the Pass of Brander, which lies a few miles to the west of the Kirk.

The effigy is by Waller Hubert Paton and was an entry in the Royal Institute of Architects exhibition of 1896. Walter bought the work and it was stored for a number of year before being installed in St Conan’s in the 1920’s. It’s closely based on Sir Noel Paton’s Victorian brass inlay engraving in Dunfermline Abbey where Bruce is buried.

The lion was added at his feet in 1923.

The effigy is of teak and alabaster, and it is believed that the hands and face were designed and made by Carrick. The chapel itself was completed in 1925.

An interesting background completes the story of the King’s effigy.

During the turmoil of the Reformation in the 1560s Dunfermline Abbey was significantly damaged, and the elaborate tomb of King Robert was destroyed, and its location lost. By the early 19th century, the decision had been made to build again on the site to enlarge the church.

During the course of this, a Royal tomb in the choir was discovered. The body therein encased in lead, crowned, covered by the Cloth of Gold (a symbol of royalty) was taken out, the lead opened, and the body examined. There was evidence of significant bone scarring from battle wounds, enlarged bone structure of the right shoulder from the carrying of the broadsword, a broken ribcage from where the heart had been removed and a measured skeleton height of 5ft 11in. The conclusion, with the site of the tomb and the evidence, was that this was the lost tomb of King Robert.

These examinations were carried out over 1818-1819 and the skeleton was exposed at some points during this procedure. Theft of some bones from the body, including a metatarsal bone took place during the exposure.

If you look below the King’s effigy you will see a small casket in which the metatarsal bone of the King lies. This bone was gifted to Walter by Mrs Paton, mother of Waller.