Visit Dunkeld

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; Scotland's first king, Kenneth MacAlpin, built a stone church here early in the 9th century to house the relics of St Columba; and under King David I it was the centre of Christianity in Scotland. The present building was constructed between 1315 and 1501. The cathedral was plundered by the Vikings, and vandalized by the stern followers of the Reformation.
( Dunkeld area map ) ( Dunkeld Town Map)

Tucked away at the foot of thickly wooded hills, you will discover one of Scotland's gems - the cathedral town of Dunkeld. And that's not all ! Resting on the opposite bank of the river Tay is the Victorian village of Birnam. Together the beautifully restored buildings and rich heritage of these Highland Perthshire sister towns are an inspiration for lovers of history, the arts, music and the outdoors.

Today the magnificent cathedral, witness to a thousand years of Christian worship, stands in the midst of lawns that sweep down to the river, and the ' little houses ' along Cathedral Street have been restored, thanks to the National Trust for Scotland. In one of those houses, number nine, a 19th century premier of Canada, Alexander Mackenzie, spent his early years. As one of the most attractive towns in Scotland, Dunkeld gets visitors from all over the world. But it remains, as it always has been, a thriving, lived-in town, cherished as much by its inhabitants as it is by those who visit it.

Well known these days in the ancient city of Dunkeld is the man behind Dunkeld Records, a small shop on Cathedral street. Dougie MacLean is one of Scotland's premier singer-songwriters, regularly filling concert halls in both North America and Great Britain. His early song ' Caledonia ' was a tremendous hit, and is one of Scotland's unofficial anthems. His other great albums include: Who Am I, Dougie MacLean Live, Perthshire Amber, Riof, Tribute, Marching Mystery, Sunset Song, Indigenous, The Search, Whitewash, Real Estate, Fiddle, Singing Land, Butterstone, Craigie Dhu, On a Wing and A prayer, Snaigow, Caledonia, and The Dougie Maclean Collection. Dougie's wife, Jenny, has provided the artwork for many of Dougies album covers and her paintings can be seen at the shop in Cathedral Street. Dougie and Jenny are often involved in the Macleans Real Music Bar at the Taybank Hotel in Dunkeld, a great place to eat traditional Scottish stovies, and hear great music at both impromptu and organized sessions.
Dougies Web Site

If you would like to visit this area as part of a highly personalized small group tour of my native Scotland please e-mail me:

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