Dunkeld - River Tay and The Hermitage

Distance	Approximate Time	Height Gain	OS Map
8 kms	03:00 (hrs:mins)	80 metres	Explorer 379: Dunkeld, Aberfeldy & Glen Almond

Description

A woodland walk along the banks of the Tay, returning through the massive Douglas Firs of Craigvinean Forest and the Braan Waterfalls at the Hermitage.

Apart from the 80-metre ascent at the mid-point, this walk is quite flat and suitable for most walkers. Being sheltered by woodland most of the way, it is an ideal all-year-round route. From the car park near Inver the walk follows a minor road and footpath, to reach the banks of the Tay at the mouth of the River Braan.

A flat and wide riverside path leading through mature woodland follows Scotland's longest river northwards for about 3km. On the way you pass Niel Gow's Oak where the well-known local fiddler composed many tunes. The path leaves the river and after passing beneath the A9 and railway line, climbs steeply for a short distance into Craigvinean Forest, a woodland of enormous Douglas firs.

A fairly level forest track leads back along the hillside, passing a 'fairy castle' folly built at a viewpoint over the Tay Valley. Beyond this, the track descends to the Hermitage, an ornamental woodland garden dating from the 1750s, where you will find a Hermit's Cave and Ossian's Hall, providing a viewpoint over the Falls of Braan. A stone bridge leads over the Braan and past Britain's tallest tree, a 64.6-metre-tall Douglas fir planted in the 1860's.

Access Info

On the A9, 200 metres north of the turn-off to Dunkeld, turn west on the A822 and then immediately branch right and follow a minor road uphill for almost 1km, to a well-made car park on the right of the road. There are no toilets at the car park, but public toilets are located in Dunkeld at the north car park and beside the tourist information centre.