Experts unravel abbey's stained glass mystery

Four pieces of stained glass were studied to work out where they once belonged

Fragments of stained glass taken from an abbey before being returned anonymously more than 20 years later have been matched with the window they once belonged to.

The box - containing 49 pieces of coloured glass - was delivered to 950-year-old Dunfermline Abbey in November 2020.

There was also a typewritten note explaining how the glass was in a pile outside the building and the person had felt "a bit guilty" about taking it.

Experts have now used a variety of techniques, including studying the materials used to make the glass, to show they originated from the abbey's Margaret Window.

Solving the mystery had been complicated by the fact that all 10 of the site's stained glass windows were fully intact when the parcel arrived in 2020.

Experts now believe the fragments were left on the ground after part of the window was accidently broken in the 1990s.

The box arrived at the abbey in 2020

A note was found with the glass, which had been wrapped in newspaper

The box arrived marked for the attention of Bob Brewse - believed to be a play on the name of King Robert Bruce, whose remains are buried at the abbey.

The accompanying note said: "Hello there, I am returning some stained glass that I found over 20 years ago.

"It was in a small pile below the scaffold that was erected by the Abbey (near footpath facing west.)"

The note went on: "I wrapped it up in paper to protect it but never had the chance to return it. Unsure if it was new glass going in or old coming out.

"I felt a bit guilty taking it and hope it will get used. Regards, CEEPS."

The identity of Ceeps remains a mystery.

Experts said the glass was from the Margaret Window

Experts from the University of Stirling, Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh and Glasgow School of Art uncovered clues about the glass.

They studied kirk session records going back to the 1980s to find mention of damage and repairs.

The glass was analysed and it was found to contain lead, potassium, arsenic and sulphur, materials used to make stained glass between the 1870s and 1930s.

The Margaret Window was made in 1932 and designed by Edinburgh artist Alexander Strachan.

The remains of Robert Bruce are buried at Dunfermline Abbey

It depicts the marriage of Queen Margaret and King Malcolm Canmore in Dunfermline in 1069.

Vivienne Kelly, a PhD student involved in the research, said the window may have been accidently damaged by a scaffolding pole during refurbishment work in the late 1990s.

Parish minister Rev Dr MaryAnn Rennie said: "We are delighted that the mystery of where this glass originally came from has finally been unravelled.

"We still have no idea who Ceeps is and why they decided to return it to the abbey when they did, but we are grateful."

Members of the public can see the glass fragments at an exhibition at Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries examining the role of the church in the local community and its history.

People can take the opportunity to make known their views on the future of the building.

Earlier this year, the Abbey Church revealed it was facing £8 million upgrade costs.

The Abbey Church does not receive public funding and the burden of paying for repairs and improvements falls on the 425-member strong congregation.

The congregation has set up an online fundraising page where people can donate money.