​The yew tree holds a sacred place in pre-Christian traditions. Druids, in particular, revered the tree for its incredible qualities of longevity and regeneration. The branches of an old yew can root into the earth and form new trunks, symbolizing death and resurrection. These characteristics made the yew a powerful symbol of eternal life in Celtic culture, where it was also known for its toxicity, particularly the needles, which were associated with death and the cycle of life.

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This connection between the yew and death extended into the Christian era, where yew boughs were carried into churches for Palm Sunday and shoots of the tree were buried with the deceased. Today, many ancient yews are found within churchyards across Britain, making it the only tree species with such a close association to places of worship in the Western world. Some churches were built near ancient yews, while others may have been planted beside existing sacred trees. The Fortingall Yew is one such example, standing next to a church that likely predates Christianity itself. Other famous churchyard yews include the Bleeding Yews of Nevern in Pembrokeshire.

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While its toxicity has limited its use for humans, the yew has found its place in medicine. A tincture made from young yew shoots is used in homoeopathic remedies, and the flesh of the berries has been used by herbalists to treat ailments like cystitis and headaches. Modern science has also discovered the anti-cancer properties of yew tree extracts, adding to the tree’s medicinal legacy.

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The yew’s wood, however, has always been highly prized. Known for its hardness and fine grain, it was often used in furniture making. But perhaps its most famous use was in the crafting of medieval longbows, a vital weapon during the Hundred Years’ War. Scottish longbowmen also valued yew wood, with Robert the Bruce ordering bows to be made from the sacred yews at Ardchattan Priory, used in the Scots’ victory at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.

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The tree's importance extended into Scottish clans, with Clan Fraser adopting the yew sprig as their badge. In Ireland, the region of Mayo (Maigh Eo), meaning “Plains of Yew Trees,” was once home to the largest yew forest in the world, a place of great significance long before the arrival of the Celts or Greeks.

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The yew's Gaelic name, iubhair or euair, has influenced the names of several places, reflecting its spiritual connection. The island of Iona is thought to derive its name from Ioua, the Pictish word for yew, a fitting title for a place known for its deep religious and spiritual roots. Other places, such as Kilneuair (Church of the Yew) and Tomnahurich in Inverness, which is steeped in legend as a gateway to the Underworld, also carry the yew’s legacy.

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At the heart of Scotland, in Glen Lyon, stands what is believed to be one of Europe’s oldest trees: the Fortingall Yew. Estimated to be anywhere from over 2,000 to 9,000 years old, this ancient yew has long been shrouded in legend. One popular tale claims that Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor known for sentencing Jesus, was born or played as a child beneath its branches. While the Romans didn’t officially invade Britain until 43 AD, several expeditions reached its shores as early as 55 BC, and some speculate that Pilate’s father was on a diplomatic mission to a Pictish king when news of his son’s birth arrived at Fortingall.