Culross
Today was a day trip out of Edinburgh to the town of Culross across the Firth of Forth using the bridges from South to North Queensferry crossing. Queen (Saint) Margaret of Scotland (1045-1093), was known for her spiritual dedication, helping the poor (she would feed hundreds of poor in the morning before eating) and she was known to want to offer a free ferry for people on pilgrimage to St. Andrews - thus Queensferry Crossing.
In the town we visited the palatial home of the 15th century business man who brought salt panning and coal mining to the area. It has a lovely herbal garden with orchards as well as unique painted wood ceilings. We walked to the old Cistercian Abbey and then on to the Abbey church of Dunfermline. Here is where Robert the Bruce is buried ( under the raised pulpit!) The church dates from medieval times but is still an operating church of the Church of Scotland (Presbyterian).
Andrew Carnegie grew up here and gave so much back to his hometown. Several stained glass windows in the Abbey church are donated by him including one Tiffany window. We had a wonderful private tour of the cottage where he lived as a boy and a museum about his life! His father was a weaver of damask cloth.
We then attended dinner church at Liberty Church, the church of my good friends. We had a fabulous multi-generational, multi-ability time of interactive worship complete with a skit, bridge building, singing and great welcoming fellowship!
And on our way back to our hotel, a stop at the Kelpies - a sculpture of mythical/folkloric horses.
Another full day and on to St. Andrews and more tomorrow!
Pastor Carolyn
