The Location
The Dunaird Coach House boasts views of Birnam Hill and overlooks the village of Birnam. The village is mentioned in Shakespeare's "Macbeth" and its literary fame has since been enhanced by its links with childrens author Beatrix Potter who holidayed in Birnam as a child and who drew inspiration from the experiences she had here. There is a Beatrix Potter exhibition and garden in the village.
There are many beautiful walks by the River Tay where the Birnam Oak can be seen. Other walks include Birnam Hill and The Hermitage, a nearby National Trust property. Adjacent to the Hermitage is Craigvinean Forest where some of the finest trails can be explored on foot or mountain bike.
Dunkeld has an 18 hole golf course and other activities in the area include salmon fishing on the River Tay, rock climbing, quad biking, archery and off-road driving. Several local businesses cater for the outdoor adventure sports enthusiast.
The Dunkeld area has long been associated with traditional Scottish music, being the birthplace of the famous fiddler/composer Niel Gow. Nowadays, the popular Taybank Hotel is a mecca for folk music enthusiasts who can enjoy a drink and good food while listening to live music.
In Pitlochry, local attractions include Pitlochry Festival Theatre which hosts a fantastic range of entertainment from plays, music and dance to art exhibitions. At Pitlochry Fish Ladder and Dam you can see the salmon make their climb upstream during the breeding season. Edradour was established in 1825 and is Scotland's smallest distillery.
Blair Castle in Blair Atholl offers tours of the castle and activities at weekends. You are free to walk in the grounds or may choose to see more of the estate from horseback - their Trekking Centre caters from beginners to the more experienced.
Other events local to Pitlochry include:
The Enchanted Forest
Dougie Maclean's Perthshire Amber folk festival
Etape Caledonia Closed Road Cycle Challenge
Pitlochry Highland Games
The New Year Street Party
Useful Links:
Birnam Institute - home of the Beatrix Potter Garden and exhibition
Taybank Hotel - folk music venue and bar
VisitScotland's guide to Dunkeld and Birnam
Dunkeld and Birnam Tourist Association - useful local information
