The Cleaven Dyke

The Cleaven Dyke was long thought to be a Roman defensive structure until recent excavation revealed that it was in fact a Neolithic Cursus, a ceremonial earthwork incorporating a central mound between two ditches that runs for over 2 km and dates to around 3,500 BC. While this type of site was thought to be associated with southern England, aerial photography has in recent years identified several, appearing as crop marks across Scotland.

Blairgowrie Barrow (left)

The circular crop mark in the centre of the frame has occurred as result of a buried ring-ditch to the west of Blairgowrie. The material from the ditch would have been used to form a mound or barrow inside and would have been used for burials, probably during the Bronze Age (2000 - 500 BC).

Scottish Crannog Centre (right)

The focal point for the Scottish Crannog Centre, by Kenmore is this authentic reconstruction of an early Iron Age (around 500 BC) loch-dwelling built by underwater archaeologists and based on the results of their excavations and research in Loch Tay. There are eighteen crannog sites known on Loch Tay alone.

Barry Hill Fort

Barry Hill Fort over-looks the mouth of Glen Isla with commanding views across Strathmore, and is a heavily defended multi-period construction, including remains of vitrified timber-laced ramparts. The fort would have been in use throughout the Iron Age (500 BC – 500 AD), and possibly into the early medieval period (500 - 1000 AD). Tradition holds that Vanora, Queen Guinevere of Arthurian legend, was held captive here by the Pictish King Mordred and that her remains are buried at nearby Meigle.

Dunsinnan Hill

This massively defended citadel of Dunsinnan Hill Fort is the smaller of two separate forts on the hill, and has long been associated with MacBeth's castle, Dunsinane. The shadow cast by low light picks out not only the internal wall and outer ramparts and ditches, but also the remains of various excavations led by antiquarians in 1799 and 1854. It is possible that the fort was occupied into the early medieval period and so association with MacBeth in the mid-11th century is not infeasible.

Perth

This overview of Perth clearly shows the grid system of the medieval burgh, once thought by antiquarians to show the outline of the Roman fort of Bertha, now known to lie around 3.5 km to the north-west. The burgh was surrounded by monasteries of the Blackfriars, Greyfriars and Carthusians, and had St John's Kirk at its centre. The Kirk is famous as the site of a riot, instigated by John Knox's sermon in 1559 that was to herald the Reformation.

Huntingtower Castle

Huntingtower Castle is in fact two tower-houses linked by a 17th century addition, with the eastern tower dating from the early 15th century, while the western tower dates to the late 15th or early 16th century. Originally the Palace of Ruthven and home of that family, it was the scene of the Raid of Ruthven in 1582, when William, 4th Lord of Ruthven, imprisoned the King to protect him from Roman Catholic influence at Court.

Methven Castle (left)

Methven Castle is well-known local landmark and while a castle is recorded here in the 11th century, the surviving building was constructed for Patrick Smythe of Braco, who bought the estate in 1664. A scheme to gothicise the house was prepared by architect James Gillespie Graham in 1813, and while only parts of the scheme were carried out they have subsequently been removed.

Dunkeld Bridge (right)

Built 1805-9 by engineer Thomas Telford, Dunkeld Bridge is a superb mock-fortified 7-span road bridge over 200m in length. An accompanying tollhouse survives to the south, and saw the Toll riots of 1868 that led to County Council ownership.

Kenmore Village (left)

Situated at the head of Loch Tay, Kenmore is a planned estate village of the mid-18th century, constructed around Kenmore Parish Church. Designed by William Baker and constructed in 1760 the church, which incorporates walls of an earlier Kirk of 1669, was remodelled in 1869 with the tower being was raised.

Aberfeldy Distillery (right)

Aberfeldy Distillery was built in 1896-8 by John Dewar and Sons Ltd of Perth, and was passed to the Distillers Company Limited in 1925 before being transferred to the Scottish Malt Distillers Ltd in 1930. The pagoda ventilator of the kiln block distinguishes the late 19th century core from later rebuilding and additions such as the still house, bonds and cooperage.