Explore the real-world places that appear in Macbeth by William Shakespeare. Each location on the map shows what happens there in the novel, the real history of the place, and what's there today. Featured locations include The Blasted Heath near Forres, Macbeth's Hillock, Forres Royal Palace Site, Cawdor Castle, Inverness Castle Site and 8 more.
Moray coast — The Weird Sisters meet Macbeth and Banquo
Amid thunder and lightning, the three witches wait to meet Macbeth. They hail him as Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and king hereafter, and tell Banquo he will beget kings though he will never be one. Macbeth is stunned, and the seed of his ambition is planted. When Ross arrives to name him Thane of Cawdor, the first prophecy comes true.
The play places this heath near Forres in Moray, in the northeast of medieval Scotland. The area was a core part of the historical Macbeth's power base as Mormaer of Moray. Local tradition associates Macbeth's Hillock near Brodie with the meeting, although the play never specifies an exact spot.
The countryside around Forres is farmland, woodland and moor. Macbeth's Hillock is a marked spot near the A96 and is a modest point of literary interest.
Near Brodie, Moray — Traditional site of the witches' prophecy
Local tradition holds that this is where Macbeth and Banquo met the three witches returning from battle. The witches greet Macbeth with three titles and vanish into the air. Macbeth ponders whether the prophecy is good or ill, and begins to imagine murder.
The hillock is a local landmark long linked in folklore to Shakespeare's play. The connection is traditional rather than historical, as Shakespeare names only Forres in the text.
The site lies near the Brodie area outside Forres, in rural Moray. It is a quiet locale used by literary pilgrims and locals.
Forres, Moray — King Duncan's court
King Duncan receives the victorious Macbeth and Banquo and praises them. Duncan names his son Malcolm Prince of Cumberland, heir to the throne. Macbeth sees this as an obstacle in his path and determines to overcome it.
Forres was an important royal and administrative center in early medieval Moray. A castle stood on the hill in the town, though the historical Duncan I was linked to the area only loosely.
The castle site has been absorbed into Forres town and the Castlehill area is residential. The town has historical displays and the Nelson Tower overlooks the area.
Nairn, Highland — Seat of the Thane of Cawdor
Macbeth is named Thane of Cawdor after the previous thane is executed for treason. The castle is traditionally associated with the play, although Macbeth never lives there in the text. The title is the first fulfilled prophecy, convincing Macbeth that the witches speak truth.
The present Cawdor Castle dates from the late 14th century, centuries after the real Macbeth's death in 1057. Its association with the play is a popular tradition rather than historical fact.
Cawdor Castle is a historic house with gardens that is open to visitors seasonally. It is still home to the Cawdor family.
Visit: Cawdor Castle & Gardens (historic site)
Inverness, Highland — Macbeth's castle, scene of Duncan's murder
In the play Macbeth's castle at Inverness hosts King Duncan for the night. Lady Macbeth steels her husband's resolve, and Macbeth sees the dagger before him. He kills the sleeping Duncan, and she smears the grooms with blood. Macbeth's cry that he has murdered sleep begins his unraveling.
Tradition places Macbeth's stronghold at Inverness, and Shakespeare set Duncan's murder there. The historical Duncan was actually killed in battle near Elgin in 1040, and the present castle dates from the 19th century.
Inverness Castle stands above the River Ness and has been redeveloped as a visitor attraction with a viewing tower.
Visit: Inverness Castle (landmark)
Perth, Perthshire — Macbeth's coronation
After Duncan's body is discovered and his sons Malcolm and Donalbain flee, Macbeth is named king and goes to Scone to be invested. Macduff declines to attend, a sign of his suspicion. Duncan's body is carried to Colmekill for burial.
Scone was the traditional coronation site of Scottish kings, home to the Stone of Destiny. The current palace dates largely from the early 19th century.
Scone Palace is a historic house with gardens, a peacock park and a replica of the Stone of Destiny. It is open to visitors.
Visit: Scone Palace (historic site)
Isle of Iona, Argyll — Colmekill, burial place of kings
Ross and Macduff discuss Duncan's burial at Colmekill, the sacred resting place of Scottish kings. Macduff chooses to go to Fife rather than attend Macbeth's coronation, signaling his distrust. Duncan's body is taken there in the aftermath of the murder.
Colmekill refers to Iona, where St Columba founded a monastery in 563. Tradition holds that many early Scottish kings were buried there.
Iona Abbey is a restored medieval abbey and an active spiritual center. It is a major pilgrimage and tourist destination reached by ferry from Mull.
Visit: Iona Abbey (historic site)
Aberdeenshire — Traditional site of Macbeth's death
In the final battle Macduff confronts Macbeth, revealing that he was untimely ripped from his mother's womb. Macbeth realizes the prophecy gives him no protection, yet he fights on. Macduff kills and beheads him, and Malcolm is hailed king.
Historically Macbeth was killed in 1057 at the Battle of Lumphanan by forces of Malcolm Canmore. A stone called Macbeth's Cairn marks the traditional spot.
Macbeth's Cairn is a small monument near Lumphanan, managed as a historic site. It is freely accessible in the open countryside.
Visit: Macbeth's Cairn (monument)
Perthshire — Macbeth's last stand
Macbeth fortifies Dunsinane, trusting the prophecy that he cannot fall until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane. The doctor watches Lady Macbeth sleepwalk, trying to wash imaginary blood from her hands. Soon after, she dies and Macbeth reflects that life is a tale told by an idiot. Malcolm's soldiers advance behind boughs cut from Birnam Wood.
Dunsinane Hill in the Sidlaw Hills has an Iron Age hillfort on its summit. The real Macbeth was linked to the area only through later chronicle tradition.
The hill is open countryside with walking routes to the fort remains. It is a quiet rural site of archaeological and literary interest.
Visit: Dunsinane Hill (landmark)
Birnam, Perthshire — The moving forest
Malcolm orders every soldier to cut a bough from Birnam Wood and carry it before him to hide their numbers. A messenger tells Macbeth that the wood seems to be moving toward Dunsinane. This fulfills the witches' second prophecy, and Macbeth realizes he has been deceived.
Birnam Wood is a woodland near Dunkeld on the River Tay. The Birnam Oak and a sycamore are said to be survivors of the ancient forest.
Birnam is a village with walking trails, the Birnam Oak, and the Beatrix Potter exhibit. The woodland is open to the public.
Visit: Birnam Oak and Woods (park)
East Wemyss, Fife — The Macduff family massacre
Macduff has fled to England, leaving his wife and children undefended. Lady Macduff bitterly says he has abandoned them, and her son shows wit beyond his years. Murderers sent by Macbeth kill the boy and the family. Macduff receives the news in England and vows revenge.
Macduff Castle ruins stand on the Fife coast near East Wemyss. The site is linked with the Macduff clan, Thanes of Fife, though the structure dates from the later medieval period.
The ruins of the castle stand on the cliffs and are visible from a coastal path. They are in a precarious condition and are best viewed from a distance.
Angus — Macbeth's title as Thane of Glamis
Macbeth is Thane of Glamis at the opening of the play, the first title the witches use to hail him. Lady Macbeth later reads his letter about the prophecies and resolves that he shall be king. Tradition links Duncan's murder with the castle, although the play locates it at Inverness.
Glamis Castle dates from the 14th century and has long been the seat of the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne. It is famed for legends and for being the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.
Glamis Castle is open to visitors with guided tours, gardens and a Pinetum. It is among Scotland's most famous historic houses.
Visit: Glamis Castle (historic site)
England — Malcolm and Macduff plan the invasion
Malcolm tests Macduff's loyalty by pretending to be worse than Macbeth. Ross arrives with the news that Macduff's family has been slaughtered. Macduff grieves and is driven to vengeance. England's king lends Siward and ten thousand men to the cause.
Edward the Confessor ruled England from 1042 to 1066 and built Westminster Abbey. His court was based at Westminster, which Shakespeare references for its reputation for holiness.
Westminster Abbey stands on the site and is open to visitors as a church, coronation venue and royal burial place.
Visit: Westminster Abbey (historic site)
More by William Shakespeare: All William Shakespeare books
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