In 2022 I was asked to create two prints for two Royal visits to Dunfermline Abbey. The first was as a gift to King Charles in one of his first engagements as king and the second was as a gift to Princess Anne after a special service to celebrate the 950th anniversary of Dunfermline Abbey.

King Charles visited Dunfermline and the Abbey in October 2022 and not only did I get to see him presented with the print but I was given the opportunity to meet both him and Queen Camilla. A memorable day!

“Partners in a Heavenly Calling”

‘The lino print is a gift to King Charles III from the Abbey Church of Dunfermline and the Dunfermline Historic Environment Scotland staff at Dunfermline to commemorate his visit in the year when Dunfermline Abbey celebrates 950 years since the establishment of a priory on the site by St Margaret of Scotland. Prior to Covid there had been a hope that we would be able to celebrate a year when it would be “All about St Margaret”, and that ambition has started well with a Historic Environment Scotland re-enactment and engagement day. Next month we will celebrate the Feast of St Margaret with some new music composed to celebrate the year.’

The title for the print comes from Hebrews 3:1, describing the relationship between members of the community, while the idea of the print comes from a photograph of swans and pigeons on St Margaret’s Loch. The photograph and this print capture the diversity of living in community with other people, and we hope captures St Margaret’s purpose of living and working with the whole community. This is a limited edition of thirty prints. King Charles has number 1 in the edition.

After the 950th Anniversary service for Dunfermline Abbey on Wednesday 16th November 2022, the Princess Royal was presented with the second of the two specially commissioned prints.

The second print is entitled “Peace! Be still”. The colour linocut print takes its name from Mark 4: 39, while the imagery captures the seabirds which may have met Margaret on her arrival in Scotland. This is a limited edition of 10 prints. Princess Anne has number 2 in the edition.

Both prints are available for sale from the Abbey or through my Etsy shop. All profits from the sale of prints will go to the The St Margaret’s Gift project to support the work of the Abbey.