The Mystery of Dunkeld

Dunkeld Cathedral is one of the most impressive ruins in Scotland. Behind it frown dark, tree-shrouded crags. In front, a verdant meadow wends down to the River Tay. The County of Perthshire is an outstandingly beautiful part of Scotland – ever so gently to the south of an imaginary line which separates Lowland and Highland Scotland.





Dunkeld’s ancient Cathedral Kirk of St. Columba adds its own special atmosphere, like a jewel in a rich setting. Dunkeld is among the great religious shrines of Scotland. For a time, its Abbot was head of the Pictish Church and guardian of the sacred relics of St. Columba. These comprised the venerated saint\'s bones, his books, staff and stone pillow. During the Reformation, the Catholic clergy spirited away what remained of the relics to Ireland, to save them from destruction.



On top of an elaborate stone sarcophagus lies the effigy of a knight in

armour, his feet resting on a lion. This is the tomb of Alexander, Earl of Buchan, younger brother of King Robert III, better known as \'The Wolf of Badenoch\'.



Among his terrible deeds was the destruction of Elgin Cathedral, but, although excom¬municated by the Church, he received absolution before his death in 1394 and was given Christian burial at Dunkeld.



Reposing within the Cathedral nave is Colonel Cleland, late Chieftain of the Cameronians, killed defending Dunkeld against the Jacobites after the Battle of Killiecrankie in 1689. The Jacobites were repulsed, but the town was burned in the struggle, only three houses

survived. Most visitors pause to examine these two very different tombs; but few spare so much as a glance for a third gravestone nearby which, despite its modest appearance conceals a stranger, yet

more enigmatically poignant story.





It is a flat stone of pink marble, under the most westerly arch bounding the ruined nave from its south aizle, a mysterious...