BattlefieldsBattle of Dún Nechtain — Northern Campaign
Early Medieval

Battle of Dún Nechtain — Northern Campaign

682
Perthshire, Scotland
Also known as: Northumbrian incursions before Nechtansmere
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Perthshire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Picts
Forces
c. 1,500–3,000 Picts
VS
Victor
Northumbria (Ecgfrith)
Forces
c. 2,000–4,000 Northumbria
Outcome
Northumbrian victory; Picts temporarily subjugated north of the Firth of Forth
The Battle

History & Significance

In the years before Nechtansmere (685), Ecgfrith of Northumbria conducted a series of campaigns into Pictland. In 682 he raided northward and temporarily subjugated Pictish tribes north of the Forth. This expansion seemed to mark Northumbrian supremacy over the whole of north Britain — which makes his disaster at Nechtansmere three years later all the more catastrophic.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Battle of Dún Nechtain — Northern Campaign

18th century military road and mid-20th century pillbox at Cairnwell, Glenshee
Scheduled monument · ~1.7 miles
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