Macbeth’s Stone

Nearest town:
Alyth (6km NW)
OS reference:
NO280435
OS sheet:
53
Latitude:
56° 34' 40.35 N
Longitude:
3° 10' 19.69 W
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Macbeth’s Stone

nickbrand
nickbrand Dec 19, 2002

The stone stands nearly 4m tall, and is quite an impressive sight. There are cupmarks on both main faces of the stone, 4 or 5 on the north face, and quite a number on the southern face. Unfortunately, it has also suffered from vandalism with some names and initials carved on the eastern portion, along with (more suitably), a thistle...

Macbeth’s Stone

hamish
hamish Aug 9, 2002

After looking at the fine and user friendly museum at Meigle-follow the signs to Belmont Castle,pass the entrance and at the next left park.Go in the gate and at 50 metres follow the path on the right,you cannot miss the stone it is about 5 metres tall.

Folklore

Macbeth’s Stone
Standing Stone / Menhir
nickbrand
nickbrand Dec 19, 2002

MacBeth’s name is strongly linked with this area. Birnam Wood lies up by Dunkeld, there are traces of a hill fort on Dunsinane Hill a few kilometres SSE, and a nearby hill to this is still named King’s Seat. Despite the bad press he received from the Saxon playwright, Shakespeare (who never visited Scotland, and was sucking up to the Stewart monarchy), MacBeth is regarded as one of the better monarchs of Scotland during the troubled times he lived in. He reigned for 17 years, and was the penultimate Celtic King of Scots. He managed to visit Rome on pilgrimage in 1050, when it was reported that he ‘scattered money like seed to the poor’. He is described thus in the prophecy of Saint Berchan:

‘The ruddy faced king... will possess Scotland.
The strong one was fair, yellow-haired and tall.
Brimful of food was Scotland, east and west,
During the reign of the ruddy, brave king

It is appropriate that this immense stone bears his name.

Sites within 20km of Macbeth’s Stone

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