Dunkeld & Birnam
With a perfect blend of scenery, food & drink, culture, history, wildlife and things to do, topped off with a wide range of accommodation providers, Dunkeld & Birnam has everything you need to for the ideal mini break from the road - be it for a few hours or even a few days!Feel like stretching your legs? There's a myriad of different walks suitable for all ages and energy levels, from a gentle stroll following The Big Tree Trail along the River Tay from the historic Dunkeld Cathedral to Dunkeld House Hotel to a more challenging hike up Birnam Hill - either way, stunning views are guaranteed. No visit to the area would be complete without a visit to The Hermitage, just north of Dunkeld, a picture-perfect combination of towering Douglas firs, the Black Linn Waterfall and the picturesque Ossian's Hall Folly which dates back all the way to 1757.... For those in search of adrenaline, Dunkeld & Birnam is becoming an outdoor activities hotspot with quad biking, canyoning, rock climbing, mountain biking and even stand-up paddle boarding all on offer in and around the village!For kids, why not try your hand at painting your own ceramics at Going Pottie just down from the Cathedral or pop over to Birnam and visit the Beatrix Potter Garden & Exhibition and find out about the famous author's many links to the area...Birnam Arts Centre is something of a hidden gem, with offerings of theatre, comedy, music and more throughout the year alongside art exhibitions, gift shop and cafe. The Taybank is a bar with some serious musical heritage, previously owned by Dougie Maclean the man behind "Caledonia", be sure to pop in and listen to the traditional fiddle session led by Pete Clark on Thursdays from 9 with live music also on most weekends...There's plenty of places to eat and drink, both The Taybank & The Atholl Arms serve fantastic food in their beer gardens on the banks of the river, The Scottish Deli does fantastic baguettes and coffee whilst also having an incredible range of cheeses, meats and local produce... Howie's Bistro & Darjeeling are both definitely well worth a visit. If it's a cafe you're afterwards not try Palmerston's or Spill The Beans in Dunkeld or pop over the bridge to Birnam Arts, The Chattan Tea Room or the nearby Birnam Reader - a delightful independent bookshop with the added bonus of delicious coffee and home baking! If afternoon tea is your thing, try Dunkeld House whilst the Dunkeld Fish Bar is the best chippie for miles"¦History lovers will definitely want to visit Dunkeld Cathedral which dates back to the 12th Century. If you look carefully enough, you will start to notice lots of musket shot marks peppering the exterior walls dating from the Battle of Dunkeld in 1689 which left the village in ruins with all but three houses burned to the ground. There is now a historical trail which guides visitors around sites of interest in both Dunkeld & Birnam - Be sure to follow it to The Birnam Oak - mentioned in Shakespeare's Macbeth; "Macbeth shall never vanquished be, until Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill Shall come against him." It is believed that Shakespeare got inspiration for this section of "The Scottish Play" during a visit to Perth, Birnam and Aberdeen in 1599 as one of a troupe of comedians - the tree is now so old it's branches need supported to prevent it from collapsing!
Dunkeld & Birnam
With a perfect blend of scenery, food & drink, culture, history, wildlife and things to do, topped off with a wide range of accommodation providers, Dunkeld & Birnam has everything you need to for the ideal mini break from the road - be it for a few hours or even a few days!Feel like stretching your legs? There's a myriad of different walks suitable for all ages and energy levels, from a gentle stroll following The Big Tree Trail along the River Tay from the historic Dunkeld Cathedral to Dunkeld House Hotel to a more challenging hike up Birnam Hill - either way, stunning views are guaranteed. No visit to the area would be complete without a visit to The Hermitage, just north of Dunkeld, a picture-perfect combination of towering Douglas firs, the Black Linn Waterfall and the picturesque Ossian's Hall Folly which dates back all the way to 1757.... For those in search of adrenaline, Dunkeld & Birnam is becoming an outdoor activities hotspot with quad biking, canyoning, rock climbing, mountain biking and even stand-up paddle boarding all on offer in and around the village!For kids, why not try your hand at painting your own ceramics at Going Pottie just down from the Cathedral or pop over to Birnam and visit the Beatrix Potter Garden & Exhibition and find out about the famous author's many links to the area...Birnam Arts Centre is something of a hidden gem, with offerings of theatre, comedy, music and more throughout the year alongside art exhibitions, gift shop and cafe. The Taybank is a bar with some serious musical heritage, previously owned by Dougie Maclean the man behind "Caledonia", be sure to pop in and listen to the traditional fiddle session led by Pete Clark on Thursdays from 9 with live music also on most weekends...There's plenty of places to eat and drink, both The Taybank & The Atholl Arms serve fantastic food in their beer gardens on the banks of the river, The Scottish Deli does fantastic baguettes and coffee whilst also having an incredible range of cheeses, meats and local produce... Howie's Bistro & Darjeeling are both definitely well worth a visit. If it's a cafe you're afterwards not try Palmerston's or Spill The Beans in Dunkeld or pop over the bridge to Birnam Arts, The Chattan Tea Room or the nearby Birnam Reader - a delightful independent bookshop with the added bonus of delicious coffee and home baking! If afternoon tea is your thing, try Dunkeld House whilst the Dunkeld Fish Bar is the best chippie for miles"¦History lovers will definitely want to visit Dunkeld Cathedral which dates back to the 12th Century. If you look carefully enough, you will start to notice lots of musket shot marks peppering the exterior walls dating from the Battle of Dunkeld in 1689 which left the village in ruins with all but three houses burned to the ground. There is now a historical trail which guides visitors around sites of interest in both Dunkeld & Birnam - Be sure to follow it to The Birnam Oak - mentioned in Shakespeare's Macbeth; "Macbeth shall never vanquished be, until Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill Shall come against him." It is believed that Shakespeare got inspiration for this section of "The Scottish Play" during a visit to Perth, Birnam and Aberdeen in 1599 as one of a troupe of comedians - the tree is now so old it's branches need supported to prevent it from collapsing!
