On the south bank of the river Tay in Scotland stands the Birnam Oak, an iconic tree that is one of the last remnants of the great forest that covered both banks of the river, and was made famous by William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth.

In Act 4 Scene 1, the witches tell Macbeth that he “Shall never be vanquish’d be until the Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him.”

Their prediction comes true when Malcom III’s army attacks Macbeth using branches from the trees as camouflage.

It is thought that Shakespeare took inspiration from the forest when he toured Scotland in 1589 as part of a travelling group of comedians. The Birnam Oak is estimated to be 600 years old, and would have already been a mature tree when he visited the area.

The oak has a circumference of 24ft and the bottom 10ft of the trunk is hollow. Severe flooding in 2016 washed away the soil around the tree’s roots, so large posts were placed under its huge branches to prevent it from collapsing.

Have a wonderful day, everyone.