A team of history buffs have unearthed a Pictish royal fort dating back more than a thousand years.
Three years of archaeological excavations from 2017-19 at the King’s Seat, a prominent hill near Dunkeld, revealed a royal hillfort of the seventh to ninth centuries AD with trade links stretching as far as France.
With dominating views over Strathtay, King’s Seat hillfort is situated on a hilltop above a bend in the River Tay at Dunkeld.
The existence of the site has been known for at least the last century and is protected by law as a nationally important site.
However, little was actually understood about it until 2016 as its summit was obscured by dense rhododendrons which obstructed access.
Dave MacDougall, of the Dunkeld and Birnam Historical Society, contacted Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust (PKHT) and with their advice, organised a local work team to cut back the rhododendrons – a massive task in itself.
Working in partnership, the trust and society developed a project to explore the site through a programme of community archaeological excavation, and to share the results with local residents and visitors.
With the help of AOC Archaeology, over three years local volunteers joined professional archaeologists to survey and excavate the site in a “citizen science” project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Gannochy Trust, and Scottish and Southern Electric’s Griffin and Calliacher Windfarm Community Fund.
Each year, a team of 30 enthusiastic local volunteers were joined by UHI archaeology students and school pupils from Royal School of Dunkeld, Pitlochry High School and Breadalbane Academy – all learning new skills in archaeological excavation in an outdoor classroom.
Permission was granted by Historic Environment Scotland to excavate the site as it is protected as a nationally important scheduled monument.
Secretary of Dunkeld and Birnam Historical Society Dave Roberts said: “The dig has been a wonderful and enjoyable experience for all of us volunteers.
“We were able to work alongside knowledgeable and helpful experts to help uncover the fascinating story behind the King’s Seat. This has helped us understand more about the history that has made Dunkeld and Birnam the special place it is today.”
The excavations found an amazing selection of artefacts and structural remains and the finds and radiocarbon dating have confirmed the site as an important centre of local power with influence over the trade and production of high-status goods from the Pictish period, 400-900 AD.
The artefacts uncovered are in keeping with other high-status, royal sites of early historic dates in Scotland, including the early Dalriadic capital of Dunadd, in Argyll, and, more locally, at Dundurn near St Fillans by Loch Earn.
These included fragments of high-status imported pottery from the continent and Anglo-Saxon glass beads that indicate extensive trading routes existed.
Cathy MacIver, of AOC Archaeology, noted: “The crucibles, whetstones, stone and clay moulds indicate craft production making the site an important centre for production – not just the home of a small group of people making items for their own use.”
Located on the Dunkeld House Hotel estate, the hotel has given the archaeological team the required freedom needed to unearth the history of the King’s Seat.
Dunkeld House Hotel’s hotel manager Gary McDonald said: “Discovering the vast amount of history that rests upon the estate is always exciting – the King’s Seat project has revealed a moment in history of great importance to the local community and to Scotland as a whole.
“We are proud to have such a powerful symbol within our grounds and we look forward to future endeavours to unfold more pages of history and stories about the estate.”
Volunteer Jamie Beazley is a tree-cutter with SSEN Distribution and works in the company’s Inveralmond
depot.
Jamie wanted to put his work skills to good use and help clear away tree and rhododendrons to improve views from the site to aid interpretation.
Through SSEN’s Be The Difference scheme, which gives every member of staff a day away from the workplace to help a local good cause or charity, Jamie and four of his Perth-based colleagues visited with all the gear and safety equipment required to carry out the task while observing safe COVID-social distancing guidelines.
Jamie said: “Be the Difference is all about helping local good causes, so it’s been great we’ve been able to use our skills and equipment to support a
project which will help us all learn more about our local history.”
The story of how the Dunkeld and Birnam Historical Society uncovered an important pictish power centre is now being shared through interpretation panels, leaflets, a school education pack and online.
The leaflets can be downloaded from the Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust website.
The archaeological team are now engaged in studying
the finds prior to fully publishing the results in a year or two.
More information will also be available through the Dunkeld Community Archive where a display including laser printed copies of some of the finds is being planned.
Ruth Brown of the Dunkeld Community Archive said: “This has been an amazing project and we look forward to sharing the story with local people and visitors alike.
“Those unable to visit the site will be able to view a presentation and see reproductions of some of the finds in the Community Archive.”
In the meantime, members of the local community and visitors can enjoy learning more about the King’s Seat through the interpretation panels and leaflets as well as information available online at www.pkht.org.uk/kings-seat
More information will also be available through the Dunkeld Community Archive where a display including laser printed copies of some of the finds in being planned.
On May 11 PKHT director David Strachan will be presenting an online talk: Excavations at the Kings Seat, Dunkeld: a Pictish Royal centre for Culture Perth and Kinross.
