Hidden Britain AtlasOpen the map
All places › Battlefields
Battlefield

The Battle of Nechtansmere

Dunnichen, Angus

The battle that stopped Northumbria conquering the Picts.

In 685, King Ecgfrith of Northumbria led an army deep into Pictland. The Picts, under King Bridei, lured them into a trap near a loch at Dunnichen and destroyed them, killing Ecgfrith.

Read the full story, see it on the map, get directions and find what else is nearby in the free Hidden Britain Atlas map.

Open The Battle of Nechtansmere on the mapReport a sighting here
When
20 May 685
Where
56.6200, -2.8000
Group
Battlefields

Visiting

A memorial cairn stands at Dunnichen. The Aberlemno stones are nearby.

Nearby mysteries