Fortingall Yew Tree

The ancient yew tree that stands in the churchyard in Fortingall must surely be one of the most written-about and photographed trees in Britain, attracting visitors all year round. 

Estimates of its age have ranged from 2000 years to as much as 9000 years, and at the time of the Millennium the figure of 5000 years was settled upon. 

Yet within the last forty years the Guinness Book of Records declared the Fortingall Yew to be ‘the oldest living vegetation in Europe’ and gave its age as ‘c.3500 years,’ so the sudden increase was something of a mystery!

Whether you believe the Yew tree is 5000 or older, its lovely to pay a visit to something that is definitely older than yourself.