Dunkeld

Overview

First capital of Scotland, Dunkeld sits on the banks of the River Tay amongst the forests of Perthshire.

Dunkeld was proclaimed the first ecclesiastical capital of Scotland by Scotland's first king, Kenneth MacAlpin. The majestic ruin of the cathedral dominates the town.

The Atholl Memorial fountain was erected in 1866 by public subscription in memory of the 6th Duke of Atholl. From here Cathedral Street leads to Dunkeld Cathedral, standing idyllically amidst lawns that sweep down to the River Tay. Today part ruin and part parish church, the cathedral features the tomb of the notorious 'Wolf of Badenoch'.

The brightly coloured 'little houses' of Dunkeld were built in the early 1700s. Restored to provide homes for local people, they are now in the care of The National Trust For Scotland (NTS). Another NTS property is the Ell Shop featuring the original 'ell' measure, just over a metre long, used for measuring cloth.

A walk along Atholl Street's variety of specialist shops will prove fascinating. A riverside path provides excellent views of Thomas Telford's Dunkeld Bridge.