Aberfeldy in Perth and Kinross, Scotland, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
Fortingall Yew Tree
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, April 8, 2011
1. Fortingall Yew Tree Marker
The Fortingall Yew
Rooted in History
Before you stands Europe's- and possibly even the world's - oldest living thing. Under the dark veil of needles are two relic trunks of a huge, ancient yew tree. Scholars believe the roots of this great survivor coil back some 5000 years.
The markers show you the size of the original evergreen giant in 1769 when it had a girth of over 56 feet (17m). Sadly, it attracted souvenir hunters who removed large sections. Children then lit fires inside the hollow trunk and funeral processions passed through its midst. Eventually, this wall had to be built to stop the tree disappearing altogether.
to Eternity
Before the arrival of Christianity, the yew was
known as the "tree of eternity,' and it's easy to see
why. At about 500 years old- long after most
other trees have died - the yew starts to grow
again. This 'otherworldly' power meant early
peoples revered the yew, and the tree marked
their places of worship. Little wonder then that
when early Christians came to Fortingall in the
7th century they decided to build their new
church next to the ancient yew.
Erected by Big
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Horticulture & Forestry. In addition, it is included in the Historic Trees series list.
Location. 56° 35.894′ N, 4° 3.057′ W. Marker is in Aberfeldy, Scotland, in Perth and Kinross. It can be reached from Kirkton Cottages Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Aberfeldy, Scotland PH15 2NQ, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Scotland’s Perthshire. Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean, in the North Atlantic Region, in Europe, on the Celtic Fringe, in Atlantic Europe, on one of the British Isles, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere.
Also see . . .
1. Fortingall Yew. (Submitted on August 2, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee.)
2. Undiscovered Scotland- Fortingall Yew. (Submitted on August 2, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee.)
Additional keywords. Fortingall Yew Tree
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, April 8, 2011
2. Fortingall Yew Tree
The marker above sites just out of site, on the far corner of the wall, surrounding the yew tree.
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, April 8, 2011
3. Fortingall Yew Tree Marker
Other marker located next to the yew tree.
The Tree Council
In Celebration of
The Golden Jubilee of
Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth II
has designated
The Fortingall Yew
one of fifty
Great British Trees
in recognition of its place
in the national heritage
June 2002
Supported by National Grid
In Celebration of
The Golden Jubilee of
Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth II
has designated
The Fortingall Yew
one of fifty
Great British Trees
in recognition of its place
in the national heritage
June 2002
Supported by National Grid
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, April 8, 2011
4. Fortingall Yew Tree Marker
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, April 8, 2011
5. Fortingall Yew Tree Walking Path
This path is inscribed with info. about the tree.
Text Reads:
Up ahead stands Fortingall's oldest resident, a 5000 year old yew tree
Text Reads:
Up ahead stands Fortingall's oldest resident, a 5000 year old yew tree
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, April 8, 2011
6. Fortingall Yew Tree Walking Path
Text Reads:
Imagine those who have passed this way before
Imagine those who have passed this way before
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, April 8, 2011
7. Fortingall Yew Tree Walking Path
Text Reads:
Stone Age Man
Stone Age Man
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, April 8, 2011
8. Fortingall Yew Tree Walking Path
Text Reads:
Bronze Age Man
Bronze Age Man
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, April 8, 2011
9. Fortingall Yew Tree Walking Path
Text Reads:
Reindeer, Boar, and Wolf
Reindeer, Boar, and Wolf
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, April 8, 2011
10. Fortingall Yew Tree Walking Path
Text Reads:
Picts
Picts
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, April 8, 2011
11. Fortingall Yew Tree Walking Path
Text Reads:
Scots
Scots
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, April 8, 2011
12. Fortingall Yew Tree Walking Path
Text Reads:
Roman Legions
Roman Legions
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, April 8, 2011
13. Fortingall Yew Tree Walking Path
Text Reads:
Christians
Christians
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, April 8, 2011
14. Fortingall Yew Tree Walking Path
Text Reads:
Warriors
Warriors
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, April 8, 2011
15. Fortingall Yew Tree Walking Path
Text Reads:
Explorers
Explorers
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, April 8, 2011
16. Fortingall Yew Tree Walking Path
Text Reads:
Scholars
Scholars
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, April 8, 2011
17. Fortingall Yew Tree Walking Path
Text Reads:
Kings & Queens
Kings & Queens
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, April 8, 2011
18. Fortingall Yew Tree Walking Path
Text Reads:
Worshippers through the Ages
Worshippers through the Ages
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, April 8, 2011
19. Fortingall Yew Tree Walking Path
Text Reads:
And YOU
And YOU
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, April 8, 2011
20. Fortingall Yew Tree Circumference
Markers show circumference of tree in 1769
Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 666 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20. submitted on August 2, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
