Dunsinane and King's Seat, Collace

This short hillwalk climbs up first to Dunsinane - made famous by Shakespeare's MacBeth - before continuing on a rough heather ridge out to King's Seat. There are excellent views throughout.

Terrain

Grassy hill path on climb up to Dunsinane, then rougher going on intermittent paths with some sections across deep heather.

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Start

Parking at road bend just southeast of Collace. Map and directions.

grade grade
Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 6.5km/4 miles
Time: 2.5 - 4 hours
Ascent: 378m (Profile)
Grid Ref: NO207321

Summits Climbed

Sub 2000: King's Seat

Maps / GPS

Accommodation

Perthshire hostels

Walk Description

Stage 1

There is space for park carefully for two cars on the road verge by the sharp corner just southeast of the hamlet of Collace; take care not to block access to any of the farm gates. The walk begins through the gate next to the information board about Dunsinane. Head up the grassy field, keeping the trees on your left. Good views soon open up looking back over Strath Tay to the mountains of the Highlands beyond. At the top of the plantation continue ahead on the path which now climbs through gorse bushes.

Stage 2

The green summit of Dunsinane comes into view ahead; continue steeply up to reach the top. Dunsinane is famed as the location of Macbeth's castle in Shakespeare's play, where it was predicted that he would never vanquished be, until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane shall come against him. Malcolm's army cut trees from Birnam in order to remain undetected as they marched on Macbeth's stronghold. The fort here - whose earthworks are still plain to see - actually dates back to the iron-age, but remained in use until early medieval times - towards the time of Macbeth. As well as its literary and historic associations, Dunsinane is a superb viewpoint.

Stage 3

There is a steep cleft between Dunsinane and the next hill to the east, Black Hill; to descend into it head southeast towards the plantation at first before cutting back left on a narrow path to reach the low point between the hills. A path then begins a steep, zig-zagging ascent up the slopes of Black Hill beyond, keeping to the left of the first two minor summits. Black Hill is covered in deep heather and the path peters out completely in a few places making for harder going than might be expected. The views back to Dunsinane reveal the tiers of the old fortifications very clearly.

Stage 4

After Black Hill the best going is slightly to the south side of the very highest ground as the walk descends to the bealach below King's Seat; there is boggy ground over to the left. Keep along the escarpment edge on the ascent beyond before cutting up to reach the trig point and cairn that mark the summit of King's Seat.

Stage 5

From here the views are very extensive, over much of Strath Tay and across into Angus, with Craigowl, highest of the Sidlaws, prominent with its masts to the east. To the south is the Tay Estuary whilst to the north the Highlands begin. The best option from here is to retrace your steps as far as the dip below Dunsinane, then bearing right to bypass the fort and rejoin the ascent route. It is possible to descend deep heather northwards to the next bealach, but the track marked on OS maps leading back to the Collace Road is no longer evident on the ground.

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Route Profile

Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is each walkers' responsibility to check it and navigate using a map and compass.