A petition to honour the royal tombs at Dunfermline Abbey Nave has been submitted to the Scottish Parliament.
Royal Tombs Dunfermline, which is chaired by local historian Sheila Pitcairn, has support from Dunfermline central councillor Neale Hanvey, as well as local MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville and MP Douglas Chapman.
Its aim is to promote the rich history of Scotland’s ancient capital.
The group wants the Scottish Parliament to consider funding plaques to mark where the 11 royal burials are in the abbey nave, which is managed by Historic Environment Scotland.
Ms Pitcairn’s organisation also wants to see that action supported through a business-tourism strategy.
“Dunfermline Abbey, the royal sepulture of Scotland, contains at least 21 royal burials,” she said.
The community projects group of the organisation have been petitioning for the 11 buried in the nave to be marked.
“Locals and visitors would love to know where these royal burials are in the nave, and more about who they were.”
More than 3,000 signatures have been submitted on the petition from around the world and taking it to the Scottish Parliament, where it will be considered by the public petitions committee, was another positive step, she added.
There is also a meeting planned with HES and now the group said it needs “all of your support to get this project working for Dunfermline and for Scotland’s history.”
Mr Hanvey said the nave was a place of unique and distinctive royal heritage and a “must see” for those who are interested in Scotland’s history.
“I’m determined to ensure that as a town we are making the most of this nationally significant historic attraction,” he said, adding discussions had already been held with HES to find ways to work together to ensure the best possible visitor experience at the nave.
Local MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville added: “I’ve had productive discussions with Royal Tombs Dunfermline and Historic Environment Scotland about how we can further promote the abbey nave, as well as improve access and the visitor experience.
“I’m particularly keen to ensure that local children have the opportunity to visit the magnificent nave, and I have written to local headteachers, to draw their attention toward Historic Environment Scotland’s scheme which enables schools to visit the nave for free.”
