A circular, waymarked route taking in the ancient Birnam Oak on a lovely part of the River Tay and then returning through the village of Birnam with the chance to see the Beatrix Potter garden.
Summary
Clear waymarked paths, tracks and minor roads.
Terrain
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1. Start the walk by walking over Dunkeld bridge towards Birnam. There is parking next to the river on the Dunkeld side, opposite the Taybank Hotel, or further up the main street. Once across the bridge turn down the steps to the left next to the toll house. Turn right along the river bank and follow the path.
2. After a while you pass a turning area and cross a bridge and arrive at first the two Birnam Sycamores and then the Birnam Oak - a series of truly magnificent trees along this stretch. Supported by wooden stilts, the oak is said to be the last remains of Birnam Wood, made famous through its role in Shakespeare's Macbeth and which covered this area 1000 years ago. An information board tells the Macbeth story. The three witches had promised Macbeth that he would be safe as King until Birnam wood reached his castle at Dunsinane. As this was thirteen miles away he thought he would be safe, but his enemies attacked after approaching Dunsinane camouflaged by branches they had taken from the wood, and Macbeth was overthrown. Keep following the main path, ignoring a turning into Birnam on the right.
3. Follow the banks of the Tay, with some impressive beech trees lining the path. At a small fishing jetty and hut turn right along a track slightly away from the river bank. Follow this track until a road is reached, cross the road and go through the kissing gate opposite.
4. Go through another kissing gate and turn onto the road to Birnam following the markers. Follow this road without turning off all the way through Birnam. In the centre on the left hand side, the Birnam Institute is home to a Beatrix Potter exhibition and there is a small garden or park next door. The garden has a number of bronze sculptures of Potter's animals as well as information boards about the time she spent in the area as a young woman.
5. Keep following the main road through Birnam. Just after the school on the right, cross the road and follow the minor road opposite, passing a World Wildlife Fund building. Soon the road becomes a surfaced path. Follow this until you reach the river. Turn right here rather than going under the bridge, and follow the Braan River for a short distance until the River Tay is met. There are good views of Dunkeld cathedral on the far bank. When you reach Dunkeld Bridge return up the steps by the toll house and cross the bridge to return to the start of the walk.
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