Macbeth: locations

Scotland

• Desolate placeScene

  The opening scene takes place in an unnamed desolate place in Scotland, where the three witches arrange to meet Macbeth after the battle.

• ForresScene

  The battlefield, military camp, heath, and royal palace at or near Forres are settings for Duncan's reception of battle reports, Macbeth's first encounter with the witches, and later court scenes.

• InvernessScene

  Macbeth's castle at Inverness is where Duncan is welcomed and murdered and where the drunken porter admits Macduff and Lennox.

• Macduff's castle in FifeScene

  Macduff's castle in Fife is the setting for Lady Macduff's conversation with her son and their murder by Macbeth's agents; its precise site is unspecified.

• DunsinaneScene

  Macbeth's fortified stronghold and the principal setting of the final act; Malcolm's army advances upon it, Macbeth is defeated nearby, and the castle is taken.

• Birnam WoodScene

  Malcolm's army assembles at Birnam Wood and cuts branches for camouflage, fulfilling the prophecy that Birnam Wood will come to Dunsinane.

• GlamisMentioned

  Referenced as Macbeth's hereditary seat and original title; no scene is explicitly set there.

• CawdorMentioned

  Referenced as the thanedom granted to Macbeth after the former Thane of Cawdor's treason; it is not a scene setting.

• FifeMentioned

  The Scottish region containing Macduff's home and estates; it is also named when Ross brings news of the slaughter there.

• SconeMentioned

  Referenced as the traditional coronation place to which Malcolm and the nobles will go after Macbeth's defeat.

• Colmekill (Iona)Mentioned

  Referenced as the burial place of Scotland's kings, to which Duncan's body is carried; Colmekill is commonly identified with Iona.

• Saint Colme's Inch (Inchcolm)Mentioned

  Referenced as the place where the defeated Norwegian king must pay tribute and burial expenses, usually identified with Inchcolm in the Firth of Forth.

• Western IslesMentioned

  Referenced as the islands from which mercenary troops assist the rebel Macdonwald; the phrase denotes Scotland's western islands.