Dunkeld and Birnam are two small, quintessentially Scottish towns with a combined population around 1,600 set on opposite banks of the River Tay amid magnificent hills and forests.

They lie in the heart of Perthshire’s Big Tree Country among the finest forests and woodlands in the country. The towns are outstanding bases for walking, cycling and just generally enjoyed some of Scotland’s finest countryside, either on you own or through local activity organises. They also offer a great deal of history and a lively local music and arts scene. You could find quite a few surprises that you maybe wouldn’t expect in the Scottish Highlands.

Dunkeld and Birnam lie a dozen miles to the north of Perth within easy reach of the main cities and towns of central Scotland.

The history of Dunkeld is thought to date back to the 6th century when it is believed that a monastery was founded beside the River Tay. Certainly it us known that Kenneth MacAlpin, the first King of Scotland, moved the bones of St. Columba from Iona to a church at Dunkeld around 850 AD. This established Dunkeld as the first ecclesiastical capital of medieval Scotland.

The building of present day Dunkeld cathedral was begun in the 12th century with additions right up to the 16th century. The cathedral enjoys a beautiful setting next to the river and is part ruin and part Parish Church. It includes the tomb of Alexander Stewart, better known as the notorious 14th century Wolf of Badenoch.

The entire medieval own was burnt to the ground in 1689 during the Battle of Dunkeld between the Jacobite forces of Bonnie Dundee and the local garrison of Cameronians.

From the ashes, the picturesque Little Houses of Dunkeld were built in the early 1700s. in the 1950s they were beautifully restored to provide homes for local people and are now in the care of the National Trust for Scotland (NTS). Among them is the NTS Ell Shop which is named after the original measure for cloth and overlooks the 19th century Atoll Fountain.

The best way to appreciate Dunkeld is on foot to explore the speciality shops and restaurants, including the artworks exhibited in Atholl Gallery and the specialist leather and deerskin of Jeremy Law of Scotland.

Dunkeld has a long folk music tradition and nowadays boasts its own record label. Dunkeld Records, run by internationally renowned singer Dougie MacLean. You can buy music and videos and artworks from MacLean’s Music gallery or enjoy regular folk sessions in ‘The Taybank’, Scotland’s Music Meeting Place.

If you want to active there are few better places than Dunkeld and Birnam.

The tracks and paths of Big Tree Country are ideal for walkers and Strathbraan Treks offer guided walks through the forests or up the local Munroes (mountains over 3,000 feet in height). For cyclists, Dunkeld bike Hire (actually located in Birnam) can recommend routes on marked maps or organise guided tours.

For the more daring, Nae Limits can provide every type of adrenaline activity including white water rafting, cliff jumping, canyoning and sphering.

Golfers are also well catered for on the heathland Dunkeld and Birnam Golf Club, while Dunkeld and Birnam Angling association can organise permits for the Tay and the Braan.

The 280 acre estate of Dunkeld park offers off road driving, archery, air rifle shooting, mountain biking and angling as well as a health club with pool and spa bath. And if your little darlings need to burn off some energy, PGL Activity Centre runs day camps for 8 – 16 year olds with abseiling, kayaking, motor sports and much more.