Atholl facts for kids
Atholl is a large historical area in the Scottish Highlands. It borders other regions like Marr, Badenoch, and Breadalbane. Long ago, it was a kingdom of the Picts, an ancient Scottish people.
Later, Atholl became one of the first provinces of the Kingdom of Alba. Eventually, it joined the larger area of Perthshire. Today, Atholl makes up the northern part of Perth and Kinross, Scotland.
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What Does Atholl Mean?
The name 'Atholl' comes from the Scottish Gaelic word Athall. Some people believe it means 'New Ireland'. This idea connects to when Gaelic people settled in Scotland. The Picts lived there before them.
However, a historian named James E. Fraser questioned this meaning. He suggested that 'Atholl' might mean 'way to the north'. This is similar to how the name 'Norway' means 'north way'. This meaning comes from an older spelling, Athochlach. The first part, ath, means 'ford' or 'way through'. The second part, fochla, means 'north'.
Atholl's Long History
Early Pictish Kingdom
The first time Atholl was written about was in the 700s. This was in an old record called the Annals of Ulster. Some place names in Atholl, like Dunkeld and the mountains Schiehallion and Rohallion, still have names from the Caledonians. The Romans wrote about the Caledonians, who were a group of tribes.
Atholl is mentioned in old poems and lists of Pictish kings. It was one of seven Pictish areas. Atholl was special because it was one of the few areas known to have its own king. It might have been the main royal area for the southern Picts. This was before it came under the control of the northern Pictish kingdom of Fortriu.
Becoming a Province and Earldom
Atholl became one of the main provinces in the early Kingdom of Alba. The first known ruler of Atholl was Dubdon of Atholl. He was killed in a battle in 965.
The first person called an Earl of Atholl was Matad, Earl of Atholl in the 1100s. An Earl was a powerful noble. In 1703, Queen Anne made the title even higher, creating the Dukedom of Atholl. The Duke of Atholl also holds many other titles. These include Marquess of Atholl and Earl of Tullibardine.
In 1746, the Earls of Atholl lost their right to hold courts. This happened because of a law called the Heritable Jurisdictions Act. After this, Atholl was only under the control of the sheriff of Perth. In the mid-1800s, new local government rules changed the old provinces. Atholl then became the northern part of the new Perthshire.
Many towns and villages are in Atholl. These include Aberfeldy, Blair Atholl, Dunkeld, and Pitlochry.
Famous People from Atholl
- John Small (British Army officer): A British Army officer.
- Alexander Mackenzie: Born in Logierait in 1822. He became the second Prime Minister of Canada.
See also
- Blair Atholl
- Duke of Atholl
- Earl of Atholl
- Vale of Atholl Pipe Band
- MacGillonie
- Atolovo, a Bulgarian village named after a Duke of Atholl
- Medieval Diocese of Dunkeld
- Athol, Idaho
- Athol, Massachusetts
