Scotland Travel Vlog October 2022

One of the biggest mysteries in Scottish history is what became of the people known as the Picts. The Picts left a legacy of beautiful artwork such as can be seen in the stone carvings at Aberlemno. They also built some impressive structures and demonstrated refined skills as masons. Indeed, most of the oldest structures in the British Isle that still stand are buildings that were the work of the Picts and in this short video, we take you to the Pictish hill fort called Dun da Lamh.

The Brochs in Glenelg are a fine example of the construction skills of the Picts. Dun da Lamh Hill Fort demonstrates similar building techniques to the Brochs, but it has the added challenge of being located on a hilltop with uneven ground and precipitous slopes.

It is located a few miles southwest of the village of Laggan in the Spey Valley and is believed to be one of the oldest hill forts in Scotland. The transportation of building materials to the site must have been quite an achievement in itself as it is estimated that 5000 tons of stone were moved to this hilltop.

From the A86 at the Falls of Pattack, it takes about 90 minutes to hike up through attractive woodlands to the remains of the fort. It is an excellent defensive position towering some 200 metres above the valleys of the River Spey and the River Mashie. It was even used in World War 2 as a lookout post for the "Home Guard" who were stationed here as it was feared that enemy forces might try to land on the beaches of the Moray Coast and then drive south via this route.