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Abernethy Round Tower, Abernethy

4.4
#25 of 46 in Historic Sites in Perth and Kinross
Historic Site · Hidden Gem · Tourist Spot
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The Abernethy Round Tower is a stone-built Irish-style round tower which stands in School Wynd, at the edge of the village cemetery, in Abernethy, Perth and Kinross, Scotland.

Dating from the 11th century, the tower is one of only two such towers surviving in Scotland—the other is at Brechin—and is protected as a scheduled monument.

The roofless sandstone tower is 22.5 m (73 ft 10 in) high and has a diameter of 4.57 m (15 ft 0 in) at ground level, tapering upwards to 3.96 m (13 ft 0 in). The walls are 1.07 m (3 ft 6 in) thick. The twelve lower layers are of a different coloured stone to the rest of the building, leading to speculation that the base was built earlier than the rest. There are indications that the tower originally had six wooden floors, probably connected by ladders. Fixed to the outside base of the tower is a Pictish stone; the tower also has an iron joug or pillory attached.

Various changes have been made to the tower over the years, including the installation of an iron spiral staircase when it became a lookout tower, windows and an outside clock. The current clock dates from 1868.

Here Malcolm III of Scotland paid homage to William the Conqueror some six years after the Battle of Hastings.
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Abernethy Round Tower reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
21 reviews
Google
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TripAdvisor
  • If you're visiting the nearby Museum of Abernethy, it's worth asking for the key to take a trip up the Round Tower as the views from the top are spectacular and it isn't something you get to see... 
    If you're visiting the nearby Museum of Abernethy, it's worth asking for the key to take a trip up the Round Tower as the views from the top are spectacular and it isn't something you get to see...  more »
  • I live in the village and I’m proud of our tourist attraction and it’s free .. not easy for young children so be aware before you make the trip 
    I live in the village and I’m proud of our tourist attraction and it’s free .. not easy for young children so be aware before you make the trip  more »
Google
  • Get the key from the museum, which is worth a visit in itself, then wind your way up the steps to the surprises at the top. First surprise is the ladder, to gain access to the second surprise, the panoramic viewpoint. The views are excellent and give a unique aspect of the surrounding area. Try not to visit when gale force winds are blowing. And, it's only open between 1 and 4 in the afternoon, Wednesday to Sunday!!!
  • Nice small town, with museum and tower. You need to collect the key for the tower from the museum. So if you are looking to climb the 100 steps make sure you check museum opening times.

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