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Dunsinnan Hill

This magnificent fort consists of substantial defences, and although much disfigured through time and numerous archaeological excavations, it is still an impressive structure.

The central citadel consists of a huge inner wall which is 9m thick in places, and two outer ramparts enclosing an oval area of around 52m by 25m. Outside of this are a series of terraces which are still in very good condition.

Dunsinnan Hill

Originally there was a stone rampart around the bottom of these terraces – enclosing an area of around 2.16 hectares – but it was apparently robbed at some point in history to build the walls on the summit, suggesting extensive remodelling over the fort’s lifetime.

Dunsinnan Hill

There is evidence of timber houses on the southern terraces, and a stone-walled hut-circle on the rampart to the south. The fort was excavated by antiquarians in 1799, 1819 and 1859. Finds include a bronze spiral finger-ring, a quern, animal bones and midden material, and the skeletal remains of two adults and a child found in a two-compartment chamber which is thought to have been a .

Dunsinnan Hill

Dunsinnan Hill

It is believed the fort replaced a much earlier fortification, and vitrified material has been found at the summit, incorporated into later walls. It has been suggested that the fort may be that of Dunsion, mentioned in the Pictish Regnal Lists, but this has not been proved.

Dunsinnan Hill

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Alternative names for Dunsinnan Hill

Dunsinan Hill; Dunsinane Hill; Macbeth's Castle

Where is Dunsinnan Hill?

Dunsinnan Hill is in the parish of Collace and the county of Perthshire.

Grid reference: NO 2139 3167

Lat / long: 56.470625, -3.277665

Bing Maps | Google Maps | Historic maps (NLS) | OpenStreetMap | Ordnance Survey | PastMap | Streetmap | Wikimapia

OS Map for Dunsinnan Hill

OS map 380
Dundee & Sidlaw Hills
OS Explorer map 380


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Directions to Dunsinnan Hill

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Weather at Dunsinnan Hill

16°C
max 17°C / min 15°C
24km/h W
1003mb
67%
20%
03:23 21:07

Few clouds
Weather observed at Saint Martins at 17:35

References (websites)

Canmore

Ancient sites near Dunsinnan Hill

Bandirran stone circle

0.5km away

Long Man's Grave standing stone

0.8km away

Bandirran (east) stone circle

0.8km away

Bandirran (west) stone circle

0.9km away

Little Dunsinane broch

1.2km away

Falcon Stone standing stone

8.2km away

Carmichael Cottages cursus

9.0km away

Market Knowe cairn

9.9km away

High Keillor standing stone

10.0km away
more ancient sites....
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Castles near Dunsinnan Hill

Newhall Of Kinrossie (site of)

2.7km away

Pitkindie Castle (site of)

3.5km away

Kinnaird Castle

3.9km away

Barton Hill motte

4.2km away

Fingask Castle

4.4km away

Evelick Castle

5.8km away

Kilspindie Castle

5.9km away

Inchmartine

6.0km away

Lintrose House

6.2km away
more castles....
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Pictish stones near Dunsinnan Hill

Collace Class I symbol stone

1.7km away

Cargill Class I symbol stone

6.0km away

Moonshade (possible) (site of) Class I stone

6.6km away

Kettins Class II cross slab

7.8km away

Rossie Class II cross slab

7.8km away

Longforgan Class I stone

9.4km away

High Keillor Class I symbol stone

10.0km away

St Madoes 1 Class

10.6km away

Inchyra Stone Class I stone

10.7km away
more Pictish stones....
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Pictish sites near Dunsinnan Hill

Norrie's Law hoard

31.1km away

Haddington silver chain

65.3km away

Traprain Law silver chain

67.5km away

Dunnicaer fort

85.4km away

Borland silver chain

86.8km away

Todholes (possible) silver chain

87.7km away

Whitlaw silver chain

88.3km away

Hoardweel silver chain

91.4km away

Nigg silver chain

102.0km away
more Pictish sites....
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Accommodation near Dunsinnan Hill

Perth SkyLodge
bed and breakfastScone
7.1km away
Inchture Hotel
hotelInchture
7.2km away
Murrayshall House Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barScone
8.0km away
Meikleour Hotel
hotelMeikleour
8.9km away
The Longforgan Coaching Inn
hotelLongforgan
9.8km away
Adam Guest House
bed and breakfastPerth
11.5km away
Sunbank House Hotel
hotelPerth
12.4km away
Salutation Hotel
hotelPerth
12.5km away
Almond Villa B&B
bed and breakfastPerth
12.6km away
Mercure Perth Hotel
hotelPerth
12.7km away

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Cafés, restaurants & bars near Dunsinnan Hill

Murrayshall House Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barScone
8.0km away
Breizh
restaurant, caféPerth
12.3km away
Holiday Inn Express Perth
hotel, barPerth
12.9km away
Best Western Queens Hotel & Leisure Club
hotel, restaurant, barPerth
13.1km away
Altamount Country House Hotel
hotel, bar, restaurantBlairgowrie
13.3km away
Premier Inn Dundee West
hotel, restaurantDundee
13.4km away
Huntingtower Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barAlmondbank
15.2km away
Premier Inn Dundee North
hotel, restaurantDundee
15.6km away
Best Western Invercarse Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barInvergowrie
15.6km away
Alyth Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barAlyth
17.2km away
more food.... / more drink....

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Published on the 14th of May 2010 at 4:19 pm. Updated on the 27th of March 2013 at 9:11 am.

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Andy Sweet above Fast Castle

Stravaiging around Scotland is written, photographed and researched by Andy Sweet.
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