Dunkeld & Birnam Visitor Attractions

Friends of Dunkeld Cathedral

The Society of Friends of Dunkeld Cathedral was founded to stimulate interest in the Cathedral as a part of the history of Scotland. The objectives of the Society of Friends include "the preservation of the fittings and furnishing of the Choir and stimulation of interest in the Cathedral".

The people who care about the history, the place and the community in the 21st Century. We live in different times from when our great establishments benefited from the protection and support of individuals or families. Now, however, the warmth of support is more likely to come from groups of like-minded people with shared interests, whether these be history (secular or religious), education, architecture or landscape. All these elements are here in Dunkeld and the objectives of the Society of Friends include "the preservation of the fittings and furnishing of the Choir and stimulation of interest in the Cathedral".

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.

The Community Archive

To commemerate the part played by the Scottish Horse at the Battle of Galipoli there is transcript of relevant records available to purchase for £2, there is a publication page on the Dunkeld Cathedral web site.

The Community Archive, situated in a building at the Cross, Dunkeld, welcomes locals and visitors to browse the collection, view displays and talk to the volunteers about our community in years gone by. The records of The Scottish Horse Regiment are also kept in the archive and we welcome visitors who wish to research family members who were in the Regiment, please get intouch to make an appointment. The Scottish Horse Museum closed in 1999, some artifacts are kept at the Fife and Forfar Yeomanry Museum in Cupar Fife. If you have a Scottish Horse enquiry go to the Dunkeld Cathedral web site and follow the links to the Archive enquiry form

The archive is run by volunteers and we do make a small charge for research. We also have booklets covering the local graveyards which will help with family history research, if you go to the Dunkeld Cathedral web site and follow the links there are forms for you to fill in making it easier to make enquires.

We are still looking for memorabilia from the First World War to put on display any items with a conection to the area are welcome. A new project is looking into the shops in Dunkeld and Birnam, we are trying to build a record of the different incarnations of the shops, for example The Sweet Shop, 28 Atholl Street, was a fishmonger in the 1920's and is now an antique shop, do you have any memories or photgraphs?

> Photographs of school, work and leisure
> Scrapbooks of local events

> Minutes of local organisations

> Records of the local regiment, The Scottish Horse, including photographs.
> Information on shops and business
> Maps and plans of the area

We welcome donation of items about Birnam, Dunkeld, Amulree, Butterstone, Dalguise, Dowally, Caputh and Murthly.

We are open Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays 10-12 all year.

Links to other sites of interest:

The Black Watch Museum

Blair Castle

Dunkeld Cathedral Information on the Cathedral and Museum and Archive

Perth Museum

Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Visitor Centre

Loch of the Lowes offers stunning live views of Ospreys from the two hides and on tv screens in the visitor centre. There is other wildlife too such as Red Squirrels, Woodpeckers, Grebes and perhaps even Otters. The visitor centre has an amazing viewing window through which you can watch the red squirrels and woodland birds while having a cup of tea.

Children's Hide at Loch of the Lowes...

Offering fun games, quizzes and crafts for children aged up to 10/12 years. The hide has two windows with binoculars at the side and wildlife spotting sheets to help encourage children to study the local wildlife. Children can also enjoy a wildlife trail exploring the reserve and lochside hides, this is self-guided with parents or guardians. There is no extra charge for access to the Children's Hide, it is part of the Visitor Centre experience.

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The Hermitage

Follow in the footsteps of notable visitors of the past including Wordsworth, Mendelssohn and Turner as you wander around this magnificent designed landscape with it's dramatic natural features.

Discover Ossian's Hall, a folly overlooking the Black Linn Falls. Refurbished in 2007 with sliding panels, secret handle and mirrored artwork to recreate the illusions of shock, surprise and amazement, the aims of its original design.

Marvel at the massive stand of Douglas Fir trees, including one of the tallest trees in the country. Enjoy the wildlife as you walk along the river Braan, with the dark foaming pool and the spectacular Black Linn waterfall. Let your imagination run wild as you admire the Totem pole, carved from a Douglas Fir tree by a native Canadian from the Squamish Nation.

Extend your walk by linking in to one of the trails of the Dunkeld walks network.

Gallery Images: © Copyright Deirdre O'Neill & Mike Pennington and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.