Dunkeld & Birnam Family Friendly

Birnam Arts Centre

A fantastic multi-purpose venue, there's always something going on! - Live music, theatre & comedy from world class performers. The Foyer Cafeserves delicious cakes, coffees and ice creams as well as a varied lunch menu made using fresh local produce. Purchase a unique gift for a loved one at Potter's Junction Gift Shop and entertain the kids in the Beatrix Potter Exhibition whilst learning about the famous author's links to the area.

The centre is also widely used by Dunkeld & Birnam's many community groups, regularly hosts conferences of up to 150 delegates, serves as an ideal wedding venue for couples seeking a unique wedding experience.

Look out for arts and crafts workshops over the holiday period for kids and adults alike.

Play Parks in Dunkeld & Birnam

Dunkeld and Birnam has several play parks with swings and roundabouts. Ideal spots for a family picnic!

View Play Parks in Dunkeld and Birnam in a larger map

Birnam Glen Family Nature Walk

A nature walk for all the family. Birnam Glen, Highland Perthshire at EveryTrail

From the very start, this walk has lots of interest for nature lovers - but also for younger families who may need other encouragement! Follow the route above, clicking on the red dots for pictures.

Starting in the Beatrix Potter Garden, learn about the author's passion for the natural world while the kids hunt out some of her most famous characters (first set of pictures).

Head out of the garden on the side away from the Birnam Institute and begin following the burn up the glen. As you go under the road bridge, notice how pools and runs have been created in the stream to allow salmon and sea trout better access to spawn. If you're really lucky in the Autumn, you may just be able to catch a glimpse of one (pictures 4 & 5).

Carry on following the footpath under the railway bridge and then straight on up what looks like a private drive at the top (but isn't - it's the path). At the fork in the path, you're going to go straight on - leave Birnam Hill for another great day out!

Hopefully you've been quietish as you walk up, because here is where you have a great chance of seeing a red squirrel. Sometimes the first you'll know is when you hear their little angry "chuck chuck" grumblings at being disturbed. If you're lucky, you'll see them scampering up out of harm's way, maybe stopping to check you out as they do. Look in the trees and you may see one of their homes - a drey (pictures 6-8).

Carrying on, on a sunny day in the summer it feels like you're entering a tunnel into a secret forest - at least you can tell the kids that! (Picture 9).

Now you're right beside the burn with a great chance of seeing a dipper, bobbing up and down on a stone in the middle of the stream or even wading in the water (pictures 10 and 11).

Around here is also the place to look for the Birnam Gnome - he lives in a tree that's hollow at the bottom.

This is also a lovely spot in May for Bluebells and all sorts of other wildflowers and plants (picture 12).

Moving on, you come to the little dam that used to be Birnam's water supply. During the summer you'll see little trout rising in the pool, while there's often a heron to be found here, especially early in the morning (photos 13 & 14).

Now looking up to your right, you'll see a patch of woodland that has been cleared. This is a good chance to see a deer - perhaps a roe. Sometimes you'll hear the roe's bark -a very strange noise indeed, and quite frightening if you don't know what it is! Have a listen by clicking here.

Carry on up the glen, looking to your right (picture 18) for a stand of lovely Scots Pines standing over the glen, as you come towards another split in the path at picture 19. If you carry on to Balhomish (going left) you'll soon find yourself in the upland environment of the curlew, but we're going right to the little wooden bridge that taked you across the burn and into the Ladywell plantation.

From here, you can go back the way you came, or carry on and follow the map for a loop that will require you to cross the burn to rejoin the path above Birnam - wellies may be useful, but crossing is easy as long as the burn isn't too high. You get some nice views going this way and there is a beautiful bluebell wood in May (picture 26).

Once back in Birnam, there's refreshment choices at the Birnam Institute or the Birnam Hotel and Inn, while the local shop can certainly supply ice creams for those who need one!

Bankfoot Church Centre Cafe & Soft Play

Bankfoot Church Centre Cafe is open Monday - Friday from 9.30am to 1.30pm. Offering tea, coffee, home baking, light lunches at reasonable prices in a delightful relaxed venue in the centre of the church.

A fantastic soft play area is accessible to younger children and toddlers. Great for occupying small children when you need a coffee break or fancy a bite of lunch with friends.

Free car parking is available whilst you are using the cafe.

Stewart Towers Dairy

Whether you need a coffee, some lunch or a delicious ice cream... this is the place to stop off with or without the kids.

The Stewart Towers menu offers breakfast, lunch and a variety of snacks - from delicious, fresh, home-baked scones, tray bakes and sponges to homemade soup, baguettes, panini's and baked potatoes.

They also have a well stocked farm shop where they sell fresh local butcher meat, a selection of fruit and vegetables, cheeses, preserves and dried goods. In addition to this they have a selection of cards for all occasions, napkins, jewellery, children's toys and gifts.

The Animal Farm has sheep, cows, ponies and other usual farm animals strutting about.