Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
9
for the e
gy of the
Wolf of Badenoch
, Robert II's son, who was born in 1343. he
Wolf acquired his name and notoriety when, after being excommunicated for
leaving his wife, he took his revenge by burning the towns of Forres and Elgin, and
sacking the latter's cathedral.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
DUNKELD
By train
The nearest train station is in nearby Birnam.
By bus
Buses travelling to and from Perth stop opposite
the
Royal Dunkeld Hotel
on Atholl St, Dunkeld.
Destinations
Inverness (5 daily; 2hr 30min); Perth (every
30min; 40min).
INFORMATION
Tourist office
The Visit Scotland information centre is
on The Cross, in the middle of Dunkeld (April-June &
Sept-Oct Mon-Sat 10am-4.30pm, Sun 11am-4pm;
July &
Aug
Mon-Sat
9.30am-5.30pm,
Sun
10.30am-5pm;
Nov-March
Fri-Sun
11am-4pm;
T
01350 727688).
ACCOMMODATION
Hilton Dunkeld House
Blairgowrie Rd
T
01350
727771,
W
hilton.co.uk/dunkeld.
Pricey and a little
corporate, but undeniably luxurious, this vast country-
estate house on the banks of the Tay has a spa,
swimmin
g po
ol and excellent facilities for outdoor
pursuits.
£169
The Pend
5 Brae Street
T
01350 727586,
W
thepend
.com.
An elegantly furnished B&B just off the main
street in Dunkeld, with three large rooms that share a
couple of
ba
throoms. Dinner is also available for
residents.
£76
Wester Caputh Independent Hostel
Manse Road,
Caputh
T
01738 710449,
W
westercaputh.co.uk.
Four
miles downstream along the Tay from Dunkeld this
hostel offers small dorm rooms and there's also a self-
catering house for rent. The convenient location and
relaxin
g, w
elcoming atmosphere make this a great base.
Dorms
£18
EATING AND DRINKING
The Scottish Deli
1 Atholl Street
T
01350 728028,
W
scottish-deli.com.
Fill up on gourmet delights at this
well-stocked deli, which also has its own wine room.
There's also a counter selling eat-in salads for £4.50.
Mon-
Fri
Ì
The Taybank
Tay Terrace
T
01350 727340,
W
thetaybank.co.uk.
A raggedy beacon for music fans,
who come for the regular live sessions in the convivial bar.
Fancy joining in? Wednesday night is open mic night.
Mon-Thurs 11am-11pm, Fri & Sat 11am-midnight,
Sun noon-11pm.
9.30am-5.30pm,
Sat
9am-5.30pm,
Sun
10.30am-4.30pm.
Birnam
Dunkeld is linked to its sister community,
BIRNAM
, by homas Telford's seven-
arched bridge of 1809. his little village has a place in history thanks to
Shakespeare, for it was on Dunsinane Hill, to the southeast of the village, that
Macbeth declared: “I will not be afraid of death and bane/Till Birnam Forest come
to Dunsinane". he
Birnam Oak
, a gnarly old character propped up by crutches,
which can be seen on the waymarked riverside walk, is inevitably claimed to be a
survivor of the infamous mobile forest.
Birnam Institute
Station Rd • Daily 10am-4.30pm • £3 •
W
birnaminstitute.com
Just like Shakespeare, children's author Beatrix Potter drew inspiration from the Birnam
area, recalling her childhood holidays here when penning the Peter Rabbit stories. A
Potter-themed exhibition and garden can be found in the impressive barrel-fronted
Birnam Institute
, a lively theatre, arts and community centre.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
BIRNAM
By train
The Dunkeld and Birnam train station is just
south of the A9 in Birnam.
Destinations
Inverness (8 daily; 1hr 50min); (Perth (10
daily; 20min).
