Perth Young Archaeologists' Club

Exploring Dunkeld

13th October 2001

Dunkeld Cathedral, painted by Sir Anthony Wheeler

Dunkeld played a vital role in the early history of Scotland, as a royal and a religious centre. Kenneth MacAlpin, Scotland's first king, built a church here in the 9th century to house the relics of St Columba, and the present Cathedral was built on the same site between 1315 and 1501. Today, the great nave of the Cathedral has no roof, but the choir continues to serve as Dunkeld's parish church.

A window in the Cathedral's nave

 

Opening the door to the tower

Dunkeld was the scene of a fierce battle in 1689, and many of the houses were burned. The old houses in Cathedral Street, linking the Cathedral with Dunkeld's market square, have been restored, and offer many fascinating clues to the history of the town. An interesting old street called Water Wynd runs from Cathedral Street to the River Tay.

Cathedral Street

A detail from a gravestone