Fortingall Roots Project

Fortingall has a complex ancient history waiting to be explored. Recent archaeology has confirmed it as the site of an important early Christian church: the Breadalbane Heritage Society supported the archaeology carried out  there by OJT Heritage in 2011 and 2012, then joined with other local community bodies – the Fortingall Kirk Session, the James M MacLaren Society and the Breadalbane Development Association – in the Fortingall Roots project to help the wider community find out more about the history and archaeology of the district and help with its conservation. The project includes a programme of guided walks, and information for visitors, including new guidebooks aimed at young people. It did an archaeological survey of Fortingall churchyard, revealing old stones hidden beneath the turf. This involved working with local schools – including Breadalbane Academy and Pitlochry High School.in 2019 we sponsored a Glasgow University survey of the file near Bridge of Lyon, where there are signs of interesting remains besides those already scheduled monuments. We are now raising funds for more archaeological work in Fortingall – whether in the Celtic monastery, or at the Neolithic, bronze age, or mediaeval sites, we are spoilt for choice!