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Dunkeld-Birnam became one of our
sister cities in August 2017. Asheville sister cities representative Rick
Lutovsky cited the following reasons for the development of a sister city
relationship with Dunkeld-Birnam:
The considerable Scottish
ancestral roots throughout the Southern Appalachians
Parallel economic characteristics such as art, music, recreation and tourism
The striking physical beauty of our settings
A strong sense of community
An abiding love of nature + commitment to stewardship of surrounding physical
environment
Dunkeld-Birnam are actually two towns, Dunkeld + Birnam, located north of Perth
and any Ashevillian visiting Dunkeld-Birnam can find something to love about the
towns. They have an impressive music scene – their Perthshire Amber and Niel Gow
Scottish Fiddle festivals bring in visitors from all over the world.
Dunkeld was also once the ecclesiastical capital of Scotland, so history lovers
can head to Dunkeld Cathedral to check out the musket holes still visible from
the Battle of Dunkeld in 1689.
For literature lovers, you’ll find Birnam Wood, a 900 year old oak tree, in
Birnam + you may have heard of it before. The famous tree is mentioned in
Shakespeare’s Macbeth. But that isn’t the only time Dunkeld-Birnam has had
literary impacts. Beatrix Potter spent many summers in the village + you can
find her inspirations in Peter Rabbit.
Learn more at:
https://mountainx.com/news/dunkeld-and-birnam-become-ashevilles-newest-sisters/
also at:
Asheville & Western North Carolina’s Unique Scots-Irish History
List of twin towns and sister cities in Scotland | 
