Big Five Nature & Wildlife in Dunkeld & Birnam

Grounds of Dunkeld House Hotel

Dunkeld House is now a hotel, but the Dukes of Atholl built two previous houses in the area and carried out extensive landscaping of the grounds.

The dukes also experimented with planting different trees, and on such a scale that they became known as the 'Planting Dukes'. Between 1738 and 1830 they planted some 27 million conifers – 'for beauty and profit' – around Dunkeld.
There are many awe inspiring trees within this compact site, firmly establishing its position in the region known as Big Tree Country. The Parent Larch stands behind Dunkeld Cathedral and is the sole survivor of a group of European larches (Larix decidua) planted in 1738.

Adjacent to the hotel grounds are the Kennel Bank larches forming a shallow crescent on the north side of the main driveway. They contain trees grown from the seed of the Parent Larch, and 11 of the original Japanese larches (Larix kaempferi). These trees represent the first of the species to be brought to Scotland by the 7th Duke of Atholl in 1785 when a total of 14 were planted. Natural hybridisation between the European and Japanese larches at this spot gave rise to the Dunkeld larch, which on account of its hardiness was to revolutionise Scottish forestry.

Also within the grounds of the Dunkeld House Hotel, are many British record breaking trees, including the largest girth Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), the tallest red fir (Abies magnifica) and a sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) from the first batch imported to Britain.

More recently the grounds have played host to trees for the iCONic project. One of the first project sites to be planted was an area of woodland in the grounds, adjacent to the famous Dunkeld Cathedral. The 10 new trees attract much interest and stand in good company, joining the UK champion Douglas fir for girth, and a champion Nordmann fir (Abies nordmanniana). Two of the four species planted have never been grown here before, and may well turn into the champions of the future.

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!

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.

The Birnam Oak

The Birnam Oak, a sessile oak, so called because its acorns are not on stalks (the Latin word sessilis means stalkless), is believed to be a remnant from the great forest celebrated in Shakespeare’s Macbeth. However, it probably isn’t old enough to have itself been the source of greenery to camouflage Malcolm’s army in 1057 but it is one of the oldest trees in the area. It's possible Shakespeare may have visited the area in 1599 with a troupe of touring players sent by Elizabeth I after a request from King James IV.

The massive sycamore close to the Birnam Oak is thought to be about 300 years old. Its gnarled shape may be a result of pollarding, where the upper branches are cut regularly leaving a tall stump to sprout back. This was common practice in the past to increase the supply of young, straight stems.