MacBeth was king of Scotland from 1040-1057. This ancient tree on the banks of the Tay at Birnam is associated with him. If not planted when the real MacBeth was king, it certainly was growing here when a travelling troupe of English players- perhaps including Shakespeare himself- visited Perthshire in 1599.
Places we now associate with Shakespeare’s play- Birnam Wood, Glamis and Dunsinane- all lie within the Tay’s catchment.
Another tragedy is taking place before our eyes. In the photograph above you can see that the branches of the tree are having to be supported. Human intervention along the river is causing the land around the tree to flood, undermining it. Without drastic action this mighty oak, like a slain king, will fall.
The Sound of Many Waters,
A Journey along the River Tay
I’m delighted to be working again with the great publishing team at Birlinn on a new book on the River Tay. It’s a journey- historical, natural, cultural- along Scotland’s longest river from the source high on Ben Lui in the Highlands to the Firth at Dundee.
For a taster you can listen to this edition of ‘Open Country‘ on BBC Radio 4. I had great fun recording with Dougie Vipond and edited by Ruth Sanderson.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001ngmp
Browse the accompanying images as you listen.
Hope you enjoy!
Robin A Crawford 