Dunkeld

Welcome to Dunkeld, a picturesque burgh in Perthshire often referred to as the 'Gateway to the Highlands.' Nestled on the north bank of the River Tay, Dunkeld is a site of immense historical and architectural significance. Its…

We begin at the Dunkeld Bridge, a striking seven-arched structure designed by the legendary engineer Thomas Telford and completed in 1809. Before this bridge existed, crossing the broad River Tay required a ferry, a journey that…

The area known as 'The Cross' is the historic marketplace and the architectural heart of Dunkeld. Here, you are surrounded by 'seventeen little houses' that were meticulously restored by the National Trust for Scotland between…

Walking down Cathedral Street, we are on a path that has been used by pilgrims and townspeople for nearly a thousand years. This street was once the ecclesiastical heart of the burgh, leading directly to the great Cathedral. …

We now enter the grounds of Dunkeld Cathedral, a 'cathedral of two halves' that perfectly encapsulates Scotland's complex religious history. The nave, where we currently stand, is a roofless 'romantic ruin,' a result of the…

Contrasting sharply with the ruined nave is the Cathedral Choir, which has been 'restored' and continues to serve as the local Parish Church. While the nave lost its roof during the Reformation, the choir was preserved as a place…

Crossing back over the river and a short distance away lies the Hermitage, a National Trust for Scotland site that offers 'one of the best Forest walks you'll find.' This designed landscape was created in the 18th century by the…

As we conclude our tour of Dunkeld, we find ourselves back by the 'big wide river' Tay, reflecting on a town that is both a 'picturesque sea' (scene) and a profound historical monument. We have investigated the 'toll riots' of…