Dunkeld - River Tay and The Hermitage - Dunkeld

Mike Taylor

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Apart from the 80-metre ascent at the mid-point, this walk is quite flat and suitable for most walkers. Being sheltered by woodland most of the way it is an ideal all-year-round route. From the car park near Inver the walk follows a minor road and footpath to reach the banks of the Tay at the mouth of the River Braan. A flat and wide riverside path leading through mature woodland follows Scotland's longest river northwards for about 3km.

On the way you pass Niel Gow's Oak, where the well-known local fiddler composed many tunes. The path leaves the river and after passing beneath the A9 and railway line, climbs steeply for a short distance into Craigvinean Forest, a woodland of enormous Douglas firs. A fairly level forest track leads back along the hillside, passing a 'fairy castle' folly built at a viewpoint over the Tay Valley. An optional 3km detour visits the Pine Cone Point viewpoint constructed in 2009.

Beyond this the track descends to The Hermitage, an ornamental woodland garden dating from the 1750s, where you will find a Hermit's Cave and Ossian's Hall, which provides a viewpoint over the Falls of Braan. A stone bridge leads over the Braan and past one of Britain's tallest trees, a 64.6-metrre-tall Douglas fir planted in the 1860s.

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

Features

Hills or Fells, Museum, National Trust, Pub, River, Tea Shop, Toilets, Waterfall, Woodland
8/4/2014 - Diane Scougall

Really lovely woodland walk. Thoroughly enjoyed it. I initially missed the turn off to the car park - the directions make it sound as if you just follow the road, but you have to make a left turn just before the bridge over the Braan. Also, at point 10, the 'brown man' waymarks have been replaced by lilac arrows for what is waymarked as the Inver Walk. There is an orientation board here showing all the routes in the area, which could make a diversion from or addition to this route. I did go up to the Pine Cone point, and it was well worth it. Lovely views up the valley. The last stretch in the Hermitage is gorgeous, especially the view of the falls from Ossian Hall. Unfortunately, the bridge is still closed, but the diversion was easy to follow. All highly recommended.

7/17/2008 - Bob Sawers

Mike we really enjoyed this walk, superb river section (this is one of our favourite walking areas and have often looked at the Inver walk) i was looking for a slightly longer walk for my club so i added on two miles as you go under the A9 a long uphill then turn round and rejoin your walk to a superb finish at the Hermitage then over the pack bridge (have always wanted to hgo this route to the carpark)

10/11/2005 - Howard Keerie

To find the car park, turn left before the bridge, carpark is then on the right.

Ref.Point 18, at Ossian's Hall during Sept./ Oct. look out for the salmon jumping in the river. A great sight!!!