Birnam Hill

Overview

Standing proudly on the edge of the Highland boundary fault line, Birnam Hill is a wonderful viewpoint; eastwards across Loch of the Lowes and on to the fertile farmland of Strathmore; westwards to the hills of Perthshire.

The hill rises steeply to 1300ft and can be climbed by a well signposted circular route that forms part of the Dunkeld and Birnam Waymarked Walks network.
Lower slopes are gentle and cloaked in deciduous woodland, while the path to the summit (also known as The Kings Seat) is heathery and rougher as it leads onto high open ground.
On the way round look out for The Stair Bridge viewpoint, a high bridge that looks out onto some small lochans, and Rohallion Castle, a ruined old tower. Both these points of interest are signposted and worth the small detour.
Birnam Hill is a naturalist's delight. By treading softly it is often possible to watch small groups of roe deer in the shady glades. These deer have short, vertical antlers and red brown coats in summer. Black grouse and capercaillie also live on the hill and feed on pine needles and blaeberries found at the summit. Capercaillies are noisy birds and make a horse like `clop clop` call - befitting the translation of their name which means `Horse of the Woods`!
Contact Dunkeld Tourist Information Centre for an excellent walks leaflet which includes Birnam Hill.