If your interests include, walking, fishing, history, cycling, natural heritage and beauty or arts and crafts then Dunkeld and Birnam were meant for you! Its central location means that Edinburgh, Stirling, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness are all within 2 hours drive. If you are travelling using public transport, a good public bus services is available with links to and from Perth and Pitlochry. Once you've read this page be sure to have a look at the sites listed below. Throughout these activities, accommodation, history and other useful information are listed with contact details and information. Dunkeld is situated on the north bank of the River Tay and is surrounded by the lush wooded hills of Perthshire. The town and its sister town of Birnam (which lies on the southern bank of the river) have a deep rooted history.
Dunkeld was the first ecclesiastical capital of Scotland, proclaimed by Scotland's first king, Kenneth MacAlpin. Dunkeld's Cathedral was built in stone in 848 by King Kenneth on an original site of worship dating from the 570s. This beautiful Cathedral still stands (Church of Scotland services are still held) and is considered by many as the most charming ecclesiastical building in Scotland - it is home to many fascinations including the burial site of the infamous 'Wolfe of Badenoch'. This area is renowned for its natural heritage. The National Trust for Scotland's protected area, The Hermitage is home to the tallest tree in Britain and is only mile north of Dunkeld. One of the many woodland walks lead from here to Ossian's Fall which overlook the spectacular Falls of Braan. Dunkeld and Birnam and the surrounding area are best appreciated on foot. Dunkeld's Cross is home to the Atholl memorial fountain - this was erected in 1866 in memory of the 6th Duke of Atholl. From here, a walk towards the Cathedral will take you past the 'Ell' Shop, a National Trust for Scotland property. (The name 'Ell' comes from a measuring 'stick' used to measure the length of cloth). Along Cathedral Street you will pass more National Trust for Scotland buildings - the whitewashed 'Little Houses' of Dunkeld - these were originally built in the early 18th century and were fully restored in the 1950s to provide homes for local families.
At the end of Cathedral Street lies the entrance - through wrought iron gates - to the Cathedral. Atholl Street, the main thoroughfare of Dunkeld, is home to an interesting and intriguing variety of shops and eateries. Walking south will take you over the Dunkeld Bridge - built in 1809 by Thomas Telford, this seven arched bridge magnificently spans the river and commands beautifully scenic views over the Tay. A riverside path allows you to enjoy the full splendour of the bridge. Amble on over the bridge, turn left and into Birnam.
It is our goal to provide only the most accurate and useful information on Dunkeld. If you feel we have overlooked an important part of the area, or have included errors such as spelling mistakes or typing errors, please do not hesitate to let us know here.
Southern Perthshire Tourism Association - The Southern Perthshire Tourism Association represents the area of Auchterarder, Greenloaning, Braco, Blackford, Gleneagles, Glen Devon, Aberuthven, Dunning and Forteviot.
