This evening, I am presenting an image of a very unusual roadside memorial cum shrine to Maggie Wall "burnt here 1657 as a witch".

This stone monument is located about 1 mile west of the village of Dunning.

It is assumed that Maggie Wall was one of the unfortunate casualties of 17th century witch-hunts. However, despite diligent record keeping at the time , there is no record of any trial, conviction or sentence relating to a Maggie Wall . Moreover, Christian themed memorials to witches are extremely unusual. Clearly, therefore, the monument is something of a conundrum. Another dimension is the fact that the stonework is of 19th century origin ( which may have replaced an earlier one). So, there is something here for the historical detective!

Labels: perthshire

posted by Catswhiskers @ 12:16 PM  0 comments

This evening I am presenting images from my recent visit to the village of Forteviot. Prime purpose of the visit was to attend a talk from archaeologists on work in progress on excavations of this historic site which was the capital ( or centre of power) of Scotland in the mid 9th century. What is now a small and quite village was in past millennia a major population and possibly ritual centre spanning the neolithic to the post medieval. There is evidence to suggest that Forteviot was an ecclesiastical centre in Pictish times and may have been the premier ritual complex in the East of Scotland. The church, which has bell dating from the 10th century, is probably built on the site of a much earlier church.

The current village may be located on the site of a Pictish Palace where Kenneth McAlpine lived and died AD 842/3-AD858.

The archaeologists clearly have a major task over the next 10 years and will use latest technology including crop mark analysis to learn how the village evolved.

Here is a spectacular double rainbow

Evening view from the village
I think this is a Rowan tree.
Plaque in centre of village. This dates from the 1920s and underscores the belief of a connection with Kenneth McApline.

Forteviot Church

Overall, Forteviot is well worth a visit, which should be conducted in conjunction with a visit to nearby Dunning.

Labels: perthshire

posted by Catswhiskers @ 11:50 AM  0 comments

This evening I am presenting some images from St. Serf's Church, Dunning Perthshire.

Yesterday, I took a stroll around the church graveyard which has a fascinating collection of burial stones and grave-markers some of which date back to the 17th century.

Dunning is a vibrant small community set beneath the Ochils in Strathearn. The locality has been inhabited by man since about 4000BC.

The impressive Romanesque steeple of St. Serf's Church dominates the village. Records of the church go back to 1219 but the remains of an old doorway suggest a much older church on the site, possibly going back to the 8th or 9th centuries AD.

Below are some images of a sample of headstones which include such local names as Wedderspoon, Cunningham, Duncan, Dougal, Reid, Fraser, Miller, Morris and MacFarland.

Here is a general view of the graveyard.


MacFarlane
Morris
Miller



Reid
Dougal
Duncan
Cunningham
Wedderspoon
The horizontal stones are probably the oldest and are influenced by the Scandinavian/Viking 'Hogback' style.

Labels: perthshire

posted by Catswhiskers @ 10:18 AM  0 comments

This afternoon I am presenting some images of a recent tour when we visited the Loch Tay area of Perthshire.

The Falls of Dochart are found at Killin at the south end of Loch Tay where the River Dochart enters Loch Tay.

Here it is possible to have a bit of fun and scramble across the rocks.

As will evident from one of the images, there was snow on the mountain peaks at time of our visit.

The name Killin is indicative of an early Christian settlement and means 'at the white cell'.

Labels: perthshire

posted by Catswhiskers @ 5:00 AM  0 comments

Acharn is small village on the edge of Loch Tay near Kenmore. It is a great little spot for a short but energetic hike. Firstly, you walk uphill to the Falls of Acharn, which are quite spectacular and are approached through a very spooky 'Hermit's Cave'. Then you walk on up to a prehistoric stone circle high up on the hills and which affords magnificent views of Loch Tay below.


Here is the stone circle at the top.

Here is the view of Kenmore and Loch Tay.


This is an image of the river on the way down.


The following are images of the Falls of Acharn.



Explore hidden Scotland with Catswhiskerstours

Labels: perthshire

posted by Catswhiskers @ 6:48 AM  0 comments

Dunkeld is a great little town nestling on the banks of the River Tay in central Scotland.

The Cathedral is well renowned being part ruin and part living church.Its origins go back to AD 570 when Celtic missionaries built a wattle monastery.

The architecture is a mix of Gothic and Norman and was built between 1260 and 1501.

The Cathedral is dedicated to St. Columba, an Irish missionary who founded the Abbey at Iona.

Dunkeld Cathedral has twice suffered desecration and destruction: in 1560 following the Reformation and in 1689 during the Battle of Dunkeld.

A visit is recommended.


Here are images of the ruined section.



A view of the bridge over the Tay from the Cathedral

A view of the Cathedral


Contact catswhiskerstours for a tour of Dunkeld and Perthshire

Labels: perthshire

posted by Catswhiskers @ 12:35 PM  0 comments

This afternoon I am presenting images of a Glen Lyon tour. This drive is something of a 'hidden gem' being relatively quiet and tucked away in the Central Highlands. This route is at its best in springtime/early summer but can be slow going owing to narrow, single track road. A good tour is to commence at Fortingall and then drive through the Glen over Ben Lawers to Killin with its famous falls. Great for photos.





Contact Catswhiskerstours for a guided tour of Scotland

Labels: perthshire

posted by Catswhiskers @ 10:05 AM  0 comments

Today, I have collated some images of Fortingall, Perthshire.

This is a fascinating (quaint?) village with a history as a Christian centre dating back to around the 7th century. The name is first recorded as Forterkil derived from fortair (a stronghold) and cill ( a cell or church). However the valley has probably been inhabited for some 5000 years.

This celtic cross marks the small burial ground set aside in 1902 for the family of Sir Donald Currie.



Here is an image of the Fortingall yew, reputedly one of the oldest living organisms in Europe, and now a shadow if its former self, but still alive! In the background is the church which was rebuilt 1901-2.


Here is a standing stone dating from around 2000BC

Here is an image of the village which is set in a beautiful Highland Perthshire location.

Contact Catswhiskerstours for more information on a range of tour possibilities in Scotland

Labels: perthshire

posted by Catswhiskers @ 4:03 AM  0 comments

Today, I am collating all my images form a short tour of Perthshire just completed.

Here is a pic of one of the tallest trees in Britain-near Ossian's Hall on the River Braan.

Here is some curious frozen flotsam. We can't work out what it is.

View of the River Braan from Ossian's Hall

Water view with Ben Vrackie in the distance.

Statue of piper silhouetted against evening sky at House of Braur

View of Ben Vrackie (the speckled mountain) from Braur


Snowy bridge at Braur Falls.

The next three images are of Braur Falls-well worth a visit.



Ben Vrackie with Pitlochry in the middle distance.



River Tay at Grandtully. This is Scotland's premier white water venue.


Caste Menzies (pronounced Mengies) near Aberfeldy

River Tay scenes near Logierait


Views from Kinnaird House



Lounge at Kinnaird House

Labels: perthshire

posted by Catswhiskers @ 2:14 AM  0 comments