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The Fortingall Yew Tree is 38 miles
northwest of Perth, 8 miles west of Aberfeldy.
This Tree is claimed to be the oldest in
Britain, between 2,000 and 5,000 years, maybe
even 9,000 years old.
The Tree can be visited all year Free of
charge. Postcode: PH15 2LL
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The Image top is of the very small village
of Fortingall with a number of Thatched
houses.
The second image shows Fortingall Church
with the Yew Tree to the left. Large
Image.
The third image shows the Enclosure around
the Tree.
Fortingall History
Ancient Times - Pagans were said to have lit
fires at the base of the Fortingall Yew for
religious ceremonies.
1300s - Fortingall Village was ravaged by
the Black Death. A Standing Stone in the field
opposite the Hotel is referred to as the Cairn
of the Dead, said to mark the site of a mass
grave.
1700s - the Old Church is built at
Fortingall. The Belfry of that Church can be
seen in the Graveyard.
1700s - the Fortingall Yew was said to be 52
feet / 16m around at the base.
1785 - an enclosure was erected to try and
prevent people from damaging the tree.
1833 - records state large branches and
parts of the trunk had been taken by people to
be used for making household goods.
The main trunk has since decayed, leaving
what looks like several smaller trees growing
together.
1885 - the shipping magnate Sir Donald
Currie acquired Glen Lyon Estate and the
Village of Fortingall.
1890 - Currie had Fortingall Village
re-modeled and re-built to designs of the
architect James MacLaren.
The re-modeling of the Village included a
number of Thatched houses. The Hotel was also
built at that time.
1902 - the present day Fortingall Parish
Church was completed next to the Yew Tree.
The Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh are
to use clippings from the Fortingall Yew to
plant a mile-long hedge, to try and maintain
the DNA of this ancient specimen.
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