Birnam Hill

Crawford Macnab

10 March 2025

Some late additions swelled our numbers to a very healthy 14 walkers - Sarah, Denise, Willie, Richard, Fiona, Moira, Crawford, Sheila, Stuart, Karen, Pamela, Mike, Bob and Isabel. With the always keen Cosmo and Meg completing the team. (It seems that Mondays might be a good option for Marauders?!)

Keeping the car count down to five worked well as we filled all the official spaces in the Quarry car park.

The MWIS forecast had been very pessimistic but thankfully as we started the walk it was dry though a little chilly.

Passing under the railway line we soon turned left to follow a good path that climbed steadily through mixed woodland.

After about 1.3km and going up 155m we left the main path on a short detour to the viewpoint at the now derelict Stair Bridge. From here there were extensive views towards Perth and over to Normans Law and other hills in North Fife. (It looks like this path over the bridge continued down towards Rohallion Lodge which we could see from the bridge)

We then retraced our steps and continued to climb gradually on the southern flank of Birnam Hill. Those towards the front were fortunate to see a small herd of deer cross the path up ahead of us.

We then turned north climbing gently before dropping down slightly to a dip where we chose to not take the walkhighlands corner shortcut, but instead continued less steeply around the corner (biting wind at this point) to reach some short zig zags and steps that completed the main ascent of the day. Although well intentioned the verdict on the steps were that they were just too big for most legs!

After a short breather we soon reached the summit of Birnam Hill at 404m. Relatively sheltered this was our chosen lunch stop with views north west to Schiehallion and Ben Lawers popping up.

On my February recce of this hill it was frosty with clouds lingering in the glen below. (with no wind it was much warmer than today)

As walkhighlands describes from the summit … “initially there is a very steep rocky section of path”. There are some large slabs of rock which can be avoided to the side taking some care, which we all managed to get down safely. Though Richard couldn’t resist going down the slabs! (Following my recce I suggested to walkhighlands that they amend the description to make it clear that the rocky section was very short)

From here the descent was straightforward through some open areas before back in to woodland. We paused briefly at a rocky outcrop to take in the excellent views over Dunkeld and Birnam.

The descent continued north down towards a junction of paths where we turned right heading towards Birnam Station.

Rather than continuing to the station we headed south east passing some very nice old Victorian villas and large houses. Having passed the houses we turned off to the left on to part of the River Tay Way and with a few further ups and downs we soon arrived back at the car park.

To finish off the walk we drove the short distance in to Birnam and descended upon the already very busy/full Chattan Tea Room. Fortunately it was warm enough for us to sit outside on the benches where we were served tea/coffee cakes and scones. Shout out to the Chattan Tea Room who battled away to eventually serve all 14 of us!

Cafe had a nice view to the adjacent St. Mary’s Scottish Episcopal Church.

Not included on this walk, but on my recce at the end of February I investigated (turfed!) around Birnam and visited the Birnam Oak down by the River Tay. Although the first large tree I reached, I found out later was the somewhat younger Birnam Sycamore!