ancient remains

Whilst walking beside the mighty river Tay late this afternoon, we spotted this ancient oak stump and loved the lines, textures and lichen.

We wondered whether this may have been a contemporary of the Birnam Oak, featured in Shakespeare's Scottish play.........'Macbeth' which still stands a little further downstream. It has such an ancient aura about it.

I will not be afraid of death and bane till Birnam Forest come to Dunisnane.?
Macbeth, Act V, Scene III

The backdrop of Dunkeld cathedral can be seen across the water, the original buildings burnt to the ground by Oliver Cromwell and his troops during the reformation.

Did this old oak witness that event?