Kinnoull Hill has fine woodlands and a dramatic clifftop escarpment above the Tay. It makes a grand setting for a cylindrical tower built as a folly. The whole walk makes an excellent circuit from Perth city centre.
Summary
Roads and woodland paths which can be a little muddy; good amount of ascent.
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1. The walk starts from the very centre of Perth on the west side of the Tay. From the foot of the High Street, turn right head south along the river bank as far as the railway bridge over the river; alternatively the most convenient of the car parks is South Inch, in which case the railway bridge is just to the north. Opposite the railway bridge is the Fergusson Gallery, dedicated to the Scottish Colourist and Perth's most celebrated artist, John Duncan Fergusson. It is housed in an ornate domed-building which was remarkably once the town waterworks and is well worth a visit. Head up the steps onto the railway bridge and cross the River Tay.
2. The river is split in two here by Moncrieffe Island and the walkway and railway give good views of the town centre as they stay high above the island before crossing the second part of the Tay. As the walkway emerges at ground level there is a spiral-shaped sculpture seen over to the left. Keep straight ahead to ascend a flight of steps and meet the main Dundee Road. Cross this - very carefully! - and turn right along the pavement on the far side. After a very short distance take the fork on the left which is signed for the National Trust Branklyn Gardens. These can be visited from here to make a day of the excursion. Otherwise turn left again by the B&B as signed for 'Kinnoull Hill'.
3. The narrow tarmac lane climbs steeply to a crossroads - go straight on here with a grand building on the left. This is Barnhill, once a centre for soft fruit growers and market gardens. Above this the lane turns left; leave it here by turning right instead onto a track. A short distance further on turn left up a gravel path, signed for Kinnoull Hill woodland park. From here on the route continues to climb steadily, winding through the woods; there are many junctions but simply ignore them all and always keep to the largest path; at a 't'-junction turn left, signed for 'The Summit'. At the next junction beyond this turn right rather than continuing towards Corsiehill; you should now be following wooden posts carved with a yellow man pointing the way.
4. The summit area is soon reached, adorned with a large, old stone table. The true summit of Kinnoull Hill can be visited from here by a short detour to the left; it is marked with an ordnance survey column and two indicators, one for the history of the area and the second one for the view. The prospect is superb, looking up the beautiful Tay valley with the river winding through a fertile landscape of woods and hills, backed by the mountains of the Highlands. Return to the stone table and continue the walk close to the edge of the escarpment. The path is close to the edge of a high and dangerous cliff, though this is partly hidden by the trees. There are occasional gaps permitting dramatic views down to the A90 far below, with the Lomond Hills and Fife beyond. A little further on and the view is even better, as Kinnoull Tower is seen for the first time right on the edge of the escarpment.
Photo © Louise McGilviray - Fotolia.com
5. Continue following the path to reach the tower. It is a folly dating back to the eighteenth century, inspired by the castles along the Rhine in Germany. From the tower continue on the escarpment path for more great views down to the river and countryside, as well as back towards Perth. The path swings left to reach a junction; keep left here, leaving the escarpment and beginning the descent. The marked trail soon joins back in from the left.
6. At the next major intersection turn left again, signed for Quarry car park. Yellow markers now lead through the woods - an area of Special Scientific Interest - and over a footbridge, to another junction. Turn right to continue downhill close by some houses to reach a more open area with picnic tables and good views of northern Perth. Keep left here to return to the car park entrance lane - follow this to the tarmac road and turn down it. The road passes close to St Mary's Monastery where it bends to the right. At the next crossroads the quickest way back to the start is to turn left down the narrow road and follow this right down to the Dundee road beside the Isle of Skye hotel. Turn right here and then immediately left (using the crossing) to reach and cross Queen's Bridge. You are now back on the west side of the Tay between the High Street (to the right) and the South Inch Car Park (to the left)
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