Dunsinane Hill and Scone

Going to Dunsinane Hill to read the end of Macbeth was informative. When reading the play it was not obvious that there was a fortress at the peak. I somehow imagined that the soldiers were just fighting on a hill. Now that I have climbed the hill I have realized how wrong my imagination was. The hill is very steep and would not be easy for the offensive side. I truly think that Macbeth had the advantage in real life even though he did lose that battle. I also think that being in Braemar and going to Dunsinane made Macbeth the king and Macbeth the character easier to distinguish from each other. The play is not a history and so many people take this story as reality without realizing the history behind it.

Getting to explore Scone Palace afterwords made so much sense to the story. Although Malcolm III was not Macbeth’s immediate successor, the first crowing at Scone did occur after Macbeth with his stepson. I find it incredible that they still have the original coronation throne despite its trip to Westminster. There was a sign that mentioned that boys from the Abbey had carved into it and it had been painted over time. Seeing the throne after having seen the Stone of Scone at Edinburgh Castle made it make sense. I was somehow imagining them setting the Stone under the chair but there is an actual slot for it.

I really appreciated how much effort they have put into maintaining the history of the Scottish Royals. Even though Scotland is now a part of the U.K. it has its own history that should be remembered. Especially now that Scotland is trying to leave the U.K., it is interesting to remember that the Queen is actually the granddaughter of McAlpin, the first Scottish King.

-Amanda