Recorded Yew Sites

Abbotsford House, Scottish Borders

Created from scratch between 1817 and 1825 by Sir Walter Scott, Abbotsford was opened to the public following his death in 1832 though remained a

Aber Gartocharn

This magnificent, albeit dying, tree, is known as the Gartocharn Yew. Local tradition has it as a famous gathering place for cattle hundreds of years ago.

Abercorn

A dense woodland of Yews on the Hopetoun estate and next to Abercorn Church, originally a site from where Bishop Trumwine administered over the Picts during the late 7th Century.

Appin House Farm, Argyll and Bute

Following the Jacobite uprising in 1745, the Stewarts of Appin lost their clan seat at Ballachulish House, Glencoe, where there is a yew probably contemporaneous

Arbuthnott House, Arbuthnott, Aberdeenshire

A group of yews stand outside the courtyard wall of an original 15th century fortification. The location has been held in the Arbuthnott family for

Arbuthnott, Bervie and Kinneff Parish Churchyard, Arbuthnott, Aberdeenshire

A number of yews line either side of the church at Arbuthnott, Aberdeenshire. It is one of the oldest churches in Scotland still in regular

Ardchattan Priory, Argyll and Bute

“Ardchattan Priory whose yew trees (Taxus baccata) according to other accounts, were inspected by Robert the Bruce and cut to make at least some of

Extensive areas of yew woodland on the Arniston Estate

Arniston House

Yew woodland close to the Knights Templars’ first preceptory at Temple.

Auld Manse/St Ternan’s kirkyard, Eassie, Angus

The church in Eassie was first consecrated by Bishop de Bernham in 1242. There is a male yew in the garden of the manse with

Balbegno Castle, Laurencekirk, Aberdeenshire

Within the grounds of this privately owned castle eight magnificent yews grow in ordered lines around a lawn, although one of these is now enclosed

Balbirnie House, Fife

Balbirnie House, now a hotel, stands in parkland and woodlands which have been public since 1990. There was a house here around 1640 when the

Ballachulish House, Highlands

Ballachulish House is a strictly private residence incorporating a bed and breakfast facility. It was built in 1746 to replace a partially destroyed house –

Barra Castle, Bourtie, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire

Barra Castle is the site of the Battle of Inverurie in 1308 when Robert the Bruce defeated John Comyn, Earl of Buchan. The current castle

Bernera, Lismore, Argyll and Bute

In the sixth century an Irish Christian missionary, popularly called St Moluag, established a mission upon the island of Lismore in the Firth of Lorne

Blarcreen House, Inveresragan, Argyll and Bute

An old Gaelic poem reads: Bow of yew from Esragin (sic) Eagle feather from Loch Treig Yellow wax from Galway Town And arrow-head made by

Borgue Parish Church, Dumfries and Galloway

The present Borgue parish church was built in 1814, but the previous church dedicated to St Andrew, was perhaps founded around 1100 as it is

This is the only location where yews grow on Arran

Brodick Castle, Arran

Brodick Castle – the place where Robert Bruce launched his campaign to regain indpendence for Scotland – is the only place on Arran where Yews grow.

Callendar House, Falkirk, Stirlingshire

Callender has ancient history, dating back almost 2,000 years when the Romans built the Antonine Wall, and Callender Park has a section, protected as a

Carberry Tower

There are many Yews of different ages in the grounds of Carberry Estate – where Mary Queen of Scots surrended to an army raised by Scottish Lords and was taken into captivity.

Castle Fraser, Sauchen, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire

Despite the particular connection of the yew with the Fraser family there are just three taxus baccata in the grounds of Castle Fraser likely to

Outside the Craigends yew from across the river Gryfe

Craigends Yew, Houston

This huge sprawling mass of a yew, on the banks of the river Gryffe in the middle of a housing estate, is said to be

Crathes Castle, Banchory, Aberdeenshire

Crathes Castle is famous for it’s unusual yew topiary designs known as ‘decanters’. The yew hedging was laid out in 1702/1703. The castle itself was

Dairsie Castle Church

A number of yews at the entrance to the churchyard and in a small nearby woodland likely to have been planted in the late 18th and 19th Century.

Dalzell Estate, Motherwell, North Lanarkshire

Maxine Ross, Yew Trees of the Clyde Valley – February 2021 “Delighted to announce that we officially have some record- breaking Yew at Dalzell in

Deer Abbey, Aberdeenshire

Five female yews grow at the ruins of Deer Abbey in Aberdeenshire. Probably from two different planting dates, the earliest likely to be around 400

Dirleton Castle

A fine collection of Yews surround a late 17th century bowling green within the grounds of Dirleton Castle. Other Yews in the parkland are thought to date to the 16th century.

Dollar Park, Falkirk, Stirlingshire

Dollar Park contains Arnotdale House and was purchased by Robert Dollar, one of the world’s richest men at the time, over a century ago, bequeathed

Drum Castle, Drumoak, Banchory, Aberdeenshire

The castle and its grounds at Drum were granted to William de Irvyn in 1323 by Robert the Bruce. The oldest part of Drum Castle

This yew may be nearly 900 years old. If so, it has a slow growth rate

Dryburgh Abbey

If the Dryburgh Abbey Yew was planted, as claimed, by monks in 1136, this Yew and a second younger one in the grounds have grown at a remarkably slow rate.

Dunglass Estate

A number of Yews grow next to the ruins of a 15th Century Collegiate Church.

Dunkeld Cathedral

There are several fine Yews around this site which has a long religious history connected with the Culdees and St Columba.

Dunninald Castle, Montrose, Angus

In one particular area of the grounds of Dunninald castle grow six stunning yews. This includes a phoenix yew and a raised mound from which

Echt and Midmar Parish Kirkyard, Echt, Aberdeenshire

The history of this yew is intriguing as it’s size suggests a greater age than the 1804 building date of the current church.

Ellon Castle grounds, Ellon, Aberdeenshire

The grounds of Ellon Castle is an extraordinary example of diverse yew morphology in what is, on paper, an identical habitat for the 19 yews

Ford Chapel

An example of yews growing in confined spaces.

Fortingall

World famous yew, most probably over 2,000 years old, and recently showing signs of changing sex.

Glamis Castle

The ancient site of Glamis Castle, near Forfar in Angus, is the home of the Earl and Countess of Strathmore and Kinghorne, and stands in

Glen Ure/Gleann Iubhair, Argyll and Bute

Gleann Iubhair is Gaelic (valley of yews) and the Irish Gaelic cultural influence in this area of western Scotland certainly stems back to the early

Glencairn Parish Church, Dumfries and Galloway

Glencairn is an ancient sacred site, as there has been a church here since at least the 10th century and in the 12th century the

Gosford Estate & Wemyss Mausoleum

16 yews planted to surround the pyramidal mausoleum of a Grand Master Mason of Scotland.

Hailes Castle

There are small yews planted in a woodland overlooking the castle on the banks of the River Tyne.

Hawes Inn

One of the most significant yews in West Lothian, located right under the Forth Rail Bridge.

Hill of Tarvit

An avenue of Yew topiary and extensvie Yew hedging can be found at Hill of Tarvit.

HMP Castle Huntly, Longforgan, Angus

Castle Huntly has its origins in the 15th century. Andrew, the first Lord Gray, was granted a royal licence in 1452 to build a castle

Holy Trinity Church, Haddington

The church does not have a churchyard, but in the garden next to a wall stands a healthy male yew. A girth of 303 cm

Hopetoun House, West Lothian

Hopetoun House, a magnificent building in stunning surroundings, is said to be Scotland’s finest stately home and has been home to the Hope family since

Inchbrakie

An ancient yew remains standing in the courtyard of a castle burnt and destroyed by Cromwell.

Inchlonaig

A truly unique yew location – ‘the Isle of the Yews’ – reputed to have yews planted by Robert Bruce.

Innisherrich

A sacred place, used by pagans, early Christians and the Knights Templar as a burial ground.

Inverary Castle

As well as yews within the castle grounds, a slight distance away and lining an old trackway between the castle and a burial ground is an avenue of over 30 yews.

Inveresk Lodge Gardens

The unusally pale bark of this yew shows vibrant red colours when wet.

John Knox yew tree and hedging at Finlaystone House

John Knox’s Yew

The origin of this yew is a matter of debate as some claim it was planted by the leader of the Scottish Reformation John Knox

Kelburn Castle

Two wonderful ancient yews command the space in the castle gardens, one of which classed as female is also showing male flowers.

Kemnay House, Kemnay, Aberdeenshire

There are a number of yews at Kemnay House in Aberdeenshire. Some grow close to the house, including some yew hedging and many others grow

Kinlochlaich Walled Garden, Argyll and Bute

Kinlochlaich House, was built circa 1830 and has formal gardens dating to 1790. A male twin stemmed yew stands on a verge next to an

Lindores House

A marvellous layering ancient yew with a canopy to walk in to.

Luss

A pair of yews with plenty of adventitious growth stand on the shores of Loch Lomond looking out to Inchlonaig – the Isle of Yews. Several others yews grow around the village.

Malleny Gardens

Home to ‘the Four Evangelists’ – 400 years old clipped yew trees.

Maryculter Chapel and House Grounds, Maryculter, Aberdeenshire

Maryculter has long associations with the Knights Templar, being gifted the land by William the Lion in 1187. It is one of only two known

Melrose Abbey

A solitary yew growing where the monastery cloisters once stood.

Monifieth Grange, Monifieth, Angus

These two yews grow alongside the remains of gateposts to the south of Grange House in a strip of trees. The grange of Monifieth was

Monzie Kirk

Four yews of over 200 years age line the edge of the churchyard on a steep bank.

Mounie Castle, Daviot, Aberdeenshire

Mounie Castle is privately owned and has connections with the Seton family whose plant badge is the yew and who planted a yew at nearby

Mountquhanie House

A grove of yews near to the ruins of an old castle, an icehouse in their shade.

Newbattle Abbey

A substantial yew avenue, hedging, topiary and ancient woodland yews make this location a real treat for yew enthusiasts.

Old Minto Burial Ground, Scottish Borders

The long abandoned atmospheric burial ground is Norman in origin, but no trace of a Norman church any longer exists. What ruins remain of an

Old Pentland Kirkyard

The present kirkyard dates to the 17th century but was established on the site of the old parish church founded in the 13th century, which

Ormiston Hall, East Lothian

The Great Yew of Ormiston stands in what once were the grounds of Ormiston Hall, built in the mid – eighteenth century two miles south

Pittencrieff House, Fife

Pittencrieff House originally dates to the fifteenth century, when it was built by the Wemyss family who then sold the estate in 1610. Its present

Preston Hall, Midlothian

Preston Hall estate is a tranquil, beautiful estate covered in remarkable trees, and has been in the Callendar family since purchased in 1789 (see also

Prestonfield House Hotel

Four yew trees, one of which was felled and now demonstrates the remarkable regenerative capacities of the yew.

Priorwood Gardens, Melrose

Two yews surviving with debris surrounding their trunks.

Riddell House, Scottish Borders

Two yews stand overlooking a field near to the ruins of Riddell House, a mansion which was burnt down in 1943. The mansion was originally

A tree said to have once sheltered Robert Bruce and his men

Robert Bruce’s Yew

Reputed to be the tree under which Robert the Bruce sheltered with 200 of his men.

Robert Louis Stevenson would play on a swing from this yew as a child

Robert Louis Stevenson’s Yew, Colinton Manse

The yew under which the authour Robert Louis Stevenson played as a child.

Roslin Castle

Does this tall and ancient female yew stand above the treasures of the Knights Templar?

Roslin Glen

There are several ancient yews within this beautiful and magical glen.

Ross Priory

Yews at risk – the loss of several ancient yews from a 600 year old yew avenue significant to Scotland’s history.

The other yew inside the Chapel - Yygdrasil

Rosslyn Chapel

The yew tree as Yggdrasil, carved in stone, has a prime place in the mystery of Rosslyn Chapel.

Ruchlaw House, East Lothian

Ruchlaw House is a Scottish baronial mansion house built by Archibald Sydserff in the early seventeenth century. Leading from the main gates to the house

Saltoun Big Wood

Yews standing amongst a managed plantation. One exhibiting a beautifully fluted trunk.

Saltoun Hall

A place with yew avenues, groves and woodlands, and unfortunately, evidence of ancient yews being recently felled.

Scone is one of Scotland’s most treasured sacred locations – having served as the inaugural site of Scottish kings and the home of the Stone of Destiny. There are yews of various ages planted extensively throughout the grounds.

Yew at the entrance to Smeaton Hepburn estate

Smeaton House

Yews in a woodland, the location where novelist Nigel Tranter would come to write.

St Athernase, Leuchars

5 yews of varying ages in the churchyard of this interesting Romanesque design church.

Given the exposed position of this tree, it's age may be greater than girth measurements suggest

St Devenics Church, Fife

A fine, ancient female yew with lots of new growth and arils in January.

Whilst the girth measurement suggests an age of 250-300 years, there is no evidence of it being present prior to the church built no more than 170 years ago

St John’s the Baptist, Cupar

A churchyard yew whose age is hard to discern.

A yew probably older than the current church

St Michaels, East Saltoun

A mix of early 19th century yews and one possibly over 300 years old.

Strontian Community Woodlands, Highlands

What is now Strontian Community Woodland was originally planted by the Riddell family in the early 1800’s. Soon after entering the woodland from the village