Birnam Hill

Oliver O'Brien

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The walk starts at Birnam (for Dunkeld) Railway Station. It passes under the railway, then bears left and follows the railway for a considerable distance, through attractive mixed woodland, passing an old quarry at one point. It turns away from the railway, climbing past crags on the side of Birnam Hill. At 200m altitude there is a short but highly recommended detour to Stair Bridge, an ancient bridge which looks out across a dramatic valley to Rohallion Lodge, an attractive, turreted castle, complete with lake and rolling, forested hills. Beyond the lodge the view stretches down Strath Tay.

Returning to the walk, the climb continues, soon leaving the forest for open moorland, with heather in abundance. The path becomes very steep on the final climb to the summit of the hill, at 404m. Here there is a huge cairn and dramatic views both up Strath Tay to Dunkeld and the Highlands and down towards Perth.

The walk ends with a long but very direct descent through first coniferous and then deciduous, forest; the descent becomes very steep near the end (great care is needed in wet weather). Finally, a short walk back under the railway line leads to the start.

Scotland - Northeast Scotland - Perth and Kinross - Tay Forest Park

Features

Birds, Flowers, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Pub, Public Transport, Toilets, Wildlife, Woodland
11/27/2012 - Tom and Joyce Kay

Once again low cloud and rain kept us away from the high tops, but only to find this really enjoyable walk to 1300ft. We extended the walk and started and finished at Dunkeld Hilton going via the lovely river bank to Birnam via the Cathedral and Dunkeld Bridge. This added about 1hr and made a satisfying extension. The walk as described remains highly rewarding and views from Stair Bridge superb. Unfortunately we had cloud from there to the summit but it did not diminish the enjoyment. The descent is steep and on our day very slippery with mud and leaves so poles are a must if you want to avoid dashing downhill from tree to tree or getting a muddy backside.