Dunkeld & Birnam

Dunkeld has a long history, it is the oldest settlement in the Perthshire highlands. The town was rebuilt after the Jacobite battle of 1689, when the old town was burnt down. The architecture is 18th century with a cathedral on the banks of the River Tay. Here you can often see salmon fisherman patiently casting from a boat in the hopes of that monster fish.

Dunkeld is 13 miles south of Pitlochry on the A9, it has a very long history, legend has it that the followers of St Columba spread Christianity from the west, stopping here to establish a monastery in the 6th century. In 849 it is said that Kenneth mac Alpin brought St Columba's relics here for safe keeping. Kenneth mac Alpin was also known as Kenneth I (810 - 13 February 858) King of the Picts and, according to national myth, the first king of Scots.

Dunkeld Cathedral was built in the mid 13th century; the cathedral today houses the parish church in the original 13th century choir. There is also a small museum within the church which cover the local history and is well worth seeing. The grounds around the Cathedral are spectacular in that they are so peaceful with its large trees and the River Tay running smoothly by.

Dunkeld was rebuilt from 1690 onwards as a result of the Jacobite Battle of Dunkeld that destroyed the old town in 1689.

It is also thanks to the National Trust of Scotland that many of these old houses have been repaired and in use today. There is no other Scottish town like Dunkeld and it is well worth a visit, make sure you have time to wander through the old streets and alley ways.