A 20TH anniversary Christmas performance by a Scottish medieval ensemble, a coffee morning and a number of special services and concerts will mark the season of Advent at the Abbey Church of Dunfermline.

Beginning this Saturday, the Abbey will host a dozen seasonal events in addition to regular Sunday worship.

Minister, the Rev MaryAnn Rennie said a busy and exciting Advent is planned.

"This year we hope that there is something for everyone as we await and celebrate the birth of Jesus," she said.

"The feast of activity in music, song, candlelight and story-sharing is an invitation to those of any age who hope to make their way to the manger and find fresh hope for the world in which we live.”

The season of Advent begins on Saturday with a special Advent coffee morning in the Abbey Church Hall, followed by a Advent Messy Church for children and families from 3pm to 5pm at Crossford Village Hall.

The Church will then host Scotland’s only professional medieval music group, Canty, who are celebrating their 20th anniversary this month with a concert tour ‘A Canty Christmas’, on Friday, December 7 at 7.30pm.

The seasonal concert – featuring three singers and a harpist – will include both medieval carols and traditional seasonal songs and new carols by Sir James MacMillan, Nicola LeFanu, Tamsin Jones and the Scottish premiere of Joanna Le’Estrange’s Gospel-style setting of a prayer by Jane Austen.

Medieval harpist Bill Taylor will also introduce the audience to his new medieval stringed instrument ‘the hummel’.

Entry to the the concert is £12 and tickets can be purchased from Sew Yarn Crafty on Dunfermline’s High Street, online at www.dunfermlineabbey.com or by contacting the church office on 01383 723005.

The Church will also host two concerts by the band of H M Royal Marines Scotland on behalf of Dunfermline Rotary Club on Wednesday, December 12 and Thursday, December 13.

Carollers from local church congregations including the Abbey Church are joing the Salvation Army Band outside the Kingsgate Shopping Centre on Saturday, December 15 for community carol singing from 10.30am to 12.30pm.

This will be followed on December 16 by a special ‘Blue Christmas’ service in the Abbey Church at 4pm.

MaryAnn explained: “This annual service is for those who have been bereaved or who are looking for a more reflective service or for those for whom Christmas is not necessarily a happy time. It is a chance to take time to be at peace and be still in the quiet of the Abbey Church.

The congregation will also host its annual carol service in Crossford Village Hall on December 19 before the traditional special Christmas services in the Church, including the Festival of Lessons and Carols on December 23, family Christingle and Watchnight services on Christmas Eve and a special Christmas Day service.

Full details of all events and services are available on the church website at www.dunfermlineabbey.com.