Niel Gow's Oak

Niel Gow's Oak is a sessile oak (Quercus petraea) located near to the towns of Dunkeld and Birnam, Scotland,[1] which is around 300 years old.[2] It lies within the Craigvinean Forest on the south bank of the River Tay. It accessible by the public and lies on the Inver Walk public footpath, part of the Dunkeld Path Network.[3] It lies between the path and the riverbank in a field used to graze sheep and horses.[4]

Niel Gow (1727–1807) was a Scottish fiddler who lived in nearby Inver and composed many Scottish country dance tunes.[3] The oak has been linked to Gow since at least 1855 when it featured in an Illustrated London News article.[5] The connection was also made in an 1881 journal article.[6] Gow is said to have sat beneath the tree to compose many of his most famous tunes.[7][2] The music could be heard from the far bank of the Tay by John Murray, 4th Duke of Atholl who was said to have been so impressed that he paid Gow a retainer to play at family functions.[3][8]

In recognition of the connection the Forestry Commission, which owns the tree and the land it stands on, erected a bench under the tree. It was engraved with the words "sit beneath the fiddle tree, with the ghost of Niel Gow next to me" – lyrics taken from the song "Niel Gow's Apprentice" by Scottish singer-songwriter Michael Marra.[2][9]

The tree was entered into the European Tree of the Year awards in 2014, becoming the first Scottish entry into the competition.[10] The tree came in 7th place (out of 10) with 1,740 votes.[2] It also made the six-strong shortlist for Scotland's Tree of the year 2016.[11] The tree was badly damaged by a storm in December 2011 and again in 2012 when falling branches destroyed the carved bench commemorating Gow.[8][12] A replacement bench was unveiled by Michael Marra's widow on 25 March 2013.[8]

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  Niel Gow
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  Commemorative plaque at the site
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  The original Gow bench as destroyed by falling branches in 2012
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  The 2013 memorial bench