What we have done this week

by | Aug 15, 2025 | Local History

Another heat wave! It has been toasty hot in Dunkeld and Birnam this week (with the exception of a rather large thunder storm – with huge hailstones – on Thursday). The high temperature and humidty has kept us on our toes with our enivronmental controls to ensure the archive stays within an acceptable range.

Have a look at the videos below to see the wild weather which passed through Dunkeld and Birnam…

The Cross during the rain

Stanley Hill Park with very large hail

After two weeks of absence we returned to our midweek memories club! It was lovely to see the group again and have a good catch up on what everyone had been up to.  We are always happy for new people to join the club so please get in touch if you are interested in finding out more.

We are preparing for our Jacobite festival events next week. On the 22nd, 23rd and 24th of August –

A reenactment camp will be held on Saturday and Sunday and include Performances

• A display of musketry and cannon – this will be loud.
• A display and presentation on the “Colours” – the regimental flags that tell the story of wars raging across Scotland in the mid 17th century
• Demonstration of the use of pikes – followed by a pike drill aimed at the younger visitor, a chance to get hands on.

 

The Living History Camp
The Erskine’s team will operate a camp over the weekend where the soldiers will live. Visitors are encouraged to walk round the camp, to meet the soldiers, hear their stories and to handle the weapons.
The Erskine’s team will be accompanied by their surgeon whose gory display will illustrate the reality of 17th century warfare.

Killiecrankie- oh

In support of the Jacobite festival 2025 guided tours of the Dunkeld battlefield, The Sir Arthur Erskine’s regiment will present “Killiecrankie-oh”.
This will be an illustrated insight into the Battle of Killiecrankie. The Battle of Killiecrankie preceeded that at Dunkeld by a month and was the most bloody of all the battles of the Jacobite risings.
Killiecrankie saw the death of one of Scotland’s beloved heroes in the moment of victory, the birth of one of Scotland’s great regiments and the first use of bayonet and grenade in a Scottish battle.
Come along to the Taybank (The Terrace) and hear the story of Killiecrankie as told by some of the troops. 
There will also be guided tours taking place on Friday and Saturday, tickets are available via this link.
 
Part of Living History Dunkeld 2025 sponsored by
H&H Construction, The Taybank, The United Lodge of Dunkeld NO.14, W&K Gerrie, Inver Mill Farm Caravan Park, The Craft Diner

Our young archaeologists’ club will be restarting next week on the 21st of August. If you have a child aged 8-16 who is interested in joining, please have a look at our clubs page to find out more. 

Our adults Archaeology and History club will begin in September, with a launch event on the 13th of September. Further information is available via our clubs page. Please register your interest if you would like to join.