What’s On in Historic Dunkeld
We run events throughout the year: Exhibitions from the collection, talks, workshops and concerts to raise funds for running costs, and an annual Living History weekend. Find all the dates for your diary.
For tickets: Book online via the links given below, or tel. 01350 727786, or email manager@historicdunkeld.org.uk.
IN Conversation with… Dr Kate Britton
13th of March – 7:30pm
Perth Arms, Dunkeld
Members Free / Non Members £10
Join us in the Perth Arms for our ” Conversations with…” series as part of our new Dunkeld Archaeology and History club.
Dr Britton’s specialism is Late Pleistocene (Ice Age) archaeology and archaeological science, particularly chemical analysis of human and animal remains to reconstruct their diets and life histories. She has previously worked on research projects exploring early and high Medieval diet in Scotland and animal-human relationships in Alaska among many other exciting things.
Come along and learn from an expert, and ask any burning questions you may have about this thrilling era and topic!
Creative Writing workshop with Elizabeth Kostova _ Guided Walk and writing
17th of March, 3-5pm, 7th of April 3-5pm
Dunkeld Archive
Members £10 | Non Members £20
Each session includes a free follow up session based within the Birnam Arts Centre one week later, details TBC.
Creative Writing workshop with Elizabeth Kostova – Explore the Archive session
19th of March, 3-5pm, 9th of April 3-5pm
Dunkeld Archive
Members £10 | Non Members £20
Explore the history of the local area through a mystery box of archival materials, inspire yourself through the rich history of the area and learn skills from best selling author Elizabeth Kostova.
Each session includes a free follow up session based within the Birnam Arts Centre one week later, details TBC.
Skills Session: Excavation Skills with Bob Carchrie
26th of March, 7:30pm
Perth Arms, Dunkeld
Members free | Non Members £20
Come and consolidate your practical archaeological knowledge with this skill session led by archaeologist Bob Carchrie.
This is a theory based session intended as a refresher or introductory session for those looking to take part in our club excavations later in the year.
All are welcome, come along to learn new and exciting archaeology based skills.
Royal School of Dunkeld Reunion 2026
25th of April 2pm-4pm
The Guide Hall
Tickets £8 (plus booking fee)
For all ex pupils from the 1940s to the 1970s!
Back for the third year in the row! Join your fellow former pupils for a reunion afternoon tea.
Dunkeld Community Archive will be exhibiting a selection of photographs from the era on the day, contributions of photographs and memorabilia are welcome. Originals can be copied and returned to the owner.
Contact manager@historicdunkeld.org.uk or drop into the archive for more details.
Skills Session: Palaeography with Lucy Dean
30th of April, 7:30pm
Perth Arms, Dunkeld
Members free | Non Members £20
Palaeography, or the skill of reading old handwriting, takes time to master, but it is a skill that can be learnt and it is incredibly useful for historical research. This session intends to act as an introduction to palaeography and will provide lots of tips and handy ‘tricks of the trade’ that are helpful to develop this skill.
Funded by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
DUNKELD LIVING HISTORY 2026
Scottish Soldier in the 17th Century Guided Tours
2nd and 3rd of May
11am | 2pm
Members £5 | Non Members £10 | Under 16s free
Clan clashes,political plots and violent battles…Follow the life of a soldier through these trying times in Scottish history.
Join the Sir Arthur Erskine Regiment (in full 17th century costume) on a guided walk through the historic village of Dunkeld to explore the history and archaeology of this turbulent era of Scotland’s past defined by its battles and risings.
Part of Living History Dunkeld 2026 sponsored by
H&H Construction, The Taybank, W&K Gerrie, Inver Mill Farm Caravan Park
DUNKELD LIVING HISTORY 2026
18th Century Apothecary workshop
28th of June 10am – 3pm
Perth Arms Dunkeld
Tickets £80 – Book Tickets Here
Step into a richly detailed Jacobean-inspired apothecary brought to life by The Historical Herbalists CIC.
Step into a richly detailed Jacobean-inspired apothecary brought to life by The Historical Herbalists CIC. Explore real herbal medicines and the ingredients, both strange and familiar, evoking the working world of an eighteenth-century Scottish healer. Drawing directly from surviving herbal receipt books, the display explores traditional Scots plant remedies for ailments of body and mind, from simples and syrups to poultices and distilled waters. Visitors can discover how remedies were prepared, stored and prescribed, and learn about the women and household practitioners who safeguarded this knowledge. An immersive, evidence-based interpretation of Scotland’s living medicinal heritage that survives in the herbal healing arts today.
Refreshments, lunch and materials will be provided.
Sponsored by the Perth Arms Hotel
Part of Living History Dunkeld 2026 sponsored by
H&H Construction, The Taybank, W&K Gerrie, Inver Mill Farm Caravan Park
DUNKELD LIVING HISTORY 2026
Neolithic Pottery Workshop
29th of July 10am – 3pm
The Atholl Arms, Dunkeld
Tickets £80 – Book Tickets Here
Join Emma a professional heritage craftsperson, potter and archaeologist, for a chance to use the techniques and tools of the Neolithic era
Join Emma from Bog Born Crafts, a professional heritage craftsperson, potter and archaeologist, for a chance to use the techniques and tools of Neolithic and Bronze Age people to craft replica Beaker-style pottery.
Based on ceramics from about 5000 years ago, we’ll explore mixing clay, handbuilding techniques and using replica natural tools to decorate our beakers. You will be free to either take your pottery creations home with brief instructions on how to have a go at bonfire firing them yourself, or Emma can fire them after the workshop and you can collect them from Dunkeld Archives a time after the workshop.
Refreshments and lunch and materials will be provided .
Sponsored by The Atholl Arms
Part of Living History Dunkeld 2026 sponsored by
H&H Construction, The Taybank, W&K Gerrie, Inver Mill Farm Caravan Park
DUNKELD LIVING HISTORY 2026
Talk: The Battles of Killiecrankie and Dunkeld
21st of August 7:30pm
Perth Arms, Dunkeld
Members £5 | Non Members £10
Join Sir Arthur Erskine’s regiment to learn about the first battles of the first Jacobite uprising.
Come along and find out about the bloody battles which changed the tide of the first Jacobite uprising. Discover how the village of Dunkeld changed after the Battle. Involve yourself in the rich Jacobite era history of the local area!
Part of Dunkeld Living History 2026
Sponsored by – H&H Construction, H&H Construction, The Taybank, W&K Gerrie, Inver Mill Farm Caravan Park
DUNKELD LIVING HISTORY 2026
Guided Tours and Reenactment camp weekend
Stanley Hill Dunkeld
Members £5 | Non Members £10 | Under 16s free
Ready your muskets and join the Sir Arthur Erskine regiment for a tour of the site of Dunkeld’s 1689 Jacobite Battle!
Guided tour with weapons display, telling the story of the Battle of Dunkeld which took place on Wednesday 21st August 1689. Re-enactors in period costume will take you step by step through the battle, which was only 25 days after the Jacobite win at Killiecrankie, ending with the destruction of the town and a Jacobite defeat. A critical moment in Scottish history which played a significant role in shaping the country’s future.
Festival 2026 – Jacobite Scotland
Part of Dunkeld Living History 2026
Sponsored by – H&H Construction, The Taybank, W&K Gerrie, Inver Mill Farm Caravan Park
Coming soon
Previous Events
In Conversation with… Irene Hallyburton
14th of November – 7:30pm
Perth Arms, Dunkeld
Members Free / Non Members £10
Since the 1560 Reformation, Scots have seen themselves as the Godliest of people. The Solemn League and Covenant of 1643 aimed to protect the reformation of the Church of Scotland and to reform the Churches of England and Ireland, so that the three churches would be the same in government, beliefs and worship. Presbyeterian was re-established as the national creed of Scotland in 1690, and for a time any other was practised in private or secret. However, with the Union of 1707, influence from south of the border began to creep into the Church of Scotland. This caused factions in the kirk to appear and by 1725, at least 10 disparate presbyterian groups can be identified. A particular event of interest is one particular rift which resulted in the formation of the Associate Presbytery, or Secession Church, from 1732.
Join Irene Hallyburton to explore this era of Scottish History which has been the focus of her Phd research.
Skills Session – Historical desk based assessment with Dr Lucy Dean
27th of November – 7:30pm
Perth Arms, Dunkeld
Members Free / Non Members £20
Join Dr Lucinda Dean in this historical desk-based research training session as part of the Dunkeld Archaeology and History Club. Dr Dean is an expert in late medieval and early modern Scotland and Europe.
Learn the essential skills required to help enhance your research capabilities. Explore the wealth of resources available and how they can help you expand your knowledge on your research subject.
(XMAS ARCHAEOLOGY AND HISTORY CLUB MEMBERS PARTY)
Dark Winter – Festive Stories with Lindsey Gibb
12th of December – 7:30pm
Perth Arms, Dunkeld
Members only
Can you outrun the Krampus, outwit the Mari Lwyd or outdance the Lord of Misrule?
Discover the darker side of St Nicholas, the battle between the Holly & Oak Kings and revel in the Saturnalia celebrations.
Come and listen to Lindsey sharing dark winter stories from across the world and throughout the ages.
Join us for our last Dunkeld archaeology and history club event of 2025!
Skills Session – Aerial Photography and LiDAR for Landscape Research
29th of January – 7:30pm
Perth Arms, Dunkeld
Members Free / Non Members £20
Join our archaeology and history club skill session to learn how to utilise LiDAR images and Aerial photography to explore your landscape and improve your research capabilities!
Robert Carchrie is a trained archaeologist who will help explain what LiDAR is and how you can use it to explore your landscape and expand your research capibilities, find out how to use it alongside aerial images for optimum effect.
Talk – Murder, Monks, Mittens and a Maid
13th of February – 7:30pm
Perth Arms, Dunkeld
Members Free / Non Members £10
Skills Session – Ceramic Identification with Derek Hall
26th of February – 7:30pm
Perth Arms, Dunkeld
Members Free / Non Members £20
Derek Hall is an archaeologist and ceramic specialist with over forty nine years of experience in the field. He is a specialist in medieval pottery, with extensive research interests in medieval hospitals, medieval religious houses, and monastic archaeology. From 2014-2019 he single handidly excavated Perth’s Carmelite Friary in advance of the site’s redevelopment.
Join us for a skills workshop led by Derek about identifying different archaeological ceramics, learn about the dating of different types of ceramic, the relevance of the decoration, and how their place of origin can tell you about the trade networks in the area.