Dunkeld
Dunkeld is a historic and quaint town which sits on the banks of the River Tay. One of the main attractions is the beautiful cathedral whose grounds open out onto the river bank. Dunkeld is an excellent centre for Touring Scotland. It is well known for it's live Scottish Folk music, it's arts, the scenic walks within minutes of the town and the mystical Hermitage nearby.
Dunkeld, the fort of the Celts played a vital role in the early history of Scotland, both as a Royal and Religious centre. 
It was the original seat of the chief bishop of the mysterious kingdom of the Picts. In 849AD Dunkeld became the religious centre of Scotland when St Columba's relics were moved here from Iona for safe keeping from increasing Viking raids. Dunkeld Cathedral was constructed between 1315 and 1501. The cathedral was plundered by the Vikings, and vandalized by the stern followers of the Reformation.
However, little of what you see today in Dunkeld is earlier than 1689. The accession of William and Mary to the throne of Scotland in March 1689 was followed in July by the first of a series of Jacobite uprisings. The Jacobites defeated Government forces at Killiecrankie, a few miles north of Dunkeld, in July, although they lost their leader, Viscount Dundee.
The remains of the Government forces retreated to Dunkeld where by mid-August they totalled around 1000 men, including reinforcements from the Cameronian Regiment who had marched from Doune near Stirling.
At first light on 21 August 1689 they were attacked by 4000 Jacobites. For sixteen hours the battle raged through the village from house to house. By 11pm the remaining Government forces, now confined to defensive positions around the Cathedral, were on the verge of defeat when the Jacobites withdrew. This was not the end of the first Jacobite uprising, but it was the beginning of the end of it. Only three houses in the village had not been destroyed in the fighting. Today's Dunkeld has largely been rebuilt since.
Dunkeld did eventually gain a bridge linking it with Birnam on the far side of the River Tay. This was in 1809, when the ubiquitous Thomas Telford produced the solid seven arched structure that is still used today.
In and Around Aberfeldy
Blog Links