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The village of Abernethy, formerly Southern Pictish capital of Scotland, has at its centre a Pictish round tower, one of only two in Scotland. The village is a conservation village which has been upgraded over the last few years. Abernethy itself has played an important role in Scottish history over the centuries. Several high status Iron Age hillforts are known to have stood in and around the parish, and the Romans made their mark nearby with a temporary marching camp at Carey and a large fort at Carpow, on the banks of the Tay. This fort was an important military and naval base during the third century AD campaign in northern Britain. After the Roman withdrawal, Abernethy is said to have become the royal and ecclesiastical capital of this part of Pictland. Aspects of the Pictish kingdom still remain - there are quite a few Pictish place names in the parish (the name Abernethy itself comes from the Pictish 'mouth of the Nethy (Burn)'), and several carved stones, some of which can be seen in the museum. In 1072, Malcolm III 'Canmore' met the invading English king William the Conqueror at Abernethy, to negotiate a treaty. This treaty recognised the extended Scottish border, secured in the Battle of Carham half a century earlier, and gave Malcolm land in England in return for his paying homage to William. The village
is situated among some of the most beautiful scenery
in Scotland and is ideally situated as a centre for
touring. With easy access to the motorway and trunk
routes, any of Scotland’s cities are within reach. The countryside
around Abernethy provides wonderful opportunities for
recreation having many golf courses including, Carnoustie,
Gleneagles, Lansdown, St Andrews, (to mention but a
few) virtually on the doorstep. In fact there are more
than 40 courses in a 20 mile radius and of these at
least 20 are championship courses. The fishing villages
of the
East Neuk of Fife,
the Angus glens, and the majesty of highland Perthshire
are all easily accessible by car from Abernethy. Abernethy itself has an interesting circular walk with fine views and historic associations.
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