A Kingly Encounter in Scotland

By Linda Tancs

Regarded as a national hero in Scotland, Robert I, popularly known as Robert the Bruce, was King of Scots from 1306 to his death in 1329. He led Scotland during the First War of Scottish Independence against England and fought successfully during his reign to restore Scotland to an independent kingdom. Dunfermline Abbey is the final resting place of Robert the Bruce, and so it’s appropriate that it’s also the location where you can view a spectacular 3D replica of the king’s head (adorned in armor and a crown) in celebration of the 750th anniversary of his birth. To create the model, a cast of his skull (preserved at the Hunterian Museum in Glasgow) was scanned and enhanced with muscle formations and textured skin. The resulting model is heralded as the most accurate depiction of his face to date. The public can view it at the abbey until December 7.