๐ Tree in Fortinghall, Perth & Kinross
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5,000 years ago, a yew tree seed sprouted in the remote glen of the River Lyon in deepest Perthshire. Astonishingly, this very tree is still alive and thriving (and apparently changing sex according to a recent discovery by staff from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh). This is truly one of Scotland’s great natural wonders; if the age is right then it could be Europe’s oldest tree, though there are other contenders. The yew’s notable age has already attracted tourists for millennia – yes, you read that right – and Pontius Pilate is said to have been born in the village, when the tree could have been a mere 3,000 years old. Unsurprisingly, over the centuries visitors have wanted to take home “souvenirs”, damaging parts of the tree; wooden posts mark the original circumference of the trunk. It’s probably just as well that it’s now protected by a stone enclosure, even if it does slightly limit viewing opportunities. A timeline etched onto the approach path puts it all into context, making the mind boggle if it hasn’t already.
๐ Location
๐ Inside Fortinghall churchyard, minor road through Fortinghall
๐งญ O.S. Grid Reference: NN 742470
๐ฐ๏ธ GPS coordinates: 56.598213,-4.050944
๐ Infrequent bus stops near church
๐ Car park
๐ Key info
โ Always viewable
๐ซ Free