Dunkeld Cathedral in Spring
Dunkeld is a small and pleasant cathedral town on the banks of the River Tay. Situated by an enviable series of lochs, it’s a perfect base for walks and wildlife spotting. Birdlife is abundant as you would expect, so bring a pair of binoculars with you.
The High Street is characterised by a row of eye-catching, whitewashed cottages owned by the National Trust for Scotland. The centre of Dunkeld revolves around an ornate stone well in a small town square and around every corner are more examples of rural Scotland. Places of interest close to Dunkeld include the picturesque Tay Forest Park, which boasts some of Perthshire’s best-loved elevated viewpoints and beauty spots including Queen’s View, Craigvinean, Drummond Hill, Faskally, and the woodland castle at Weem.
The River Tay
The ornate Dunkeld Cathedral is well worth a visit, the building is in partial ruin but it’s still used for worship. The structure took about 250 years (1260-1501) to complete with long periods of inactivity. Therefore, evidence of both Gothic and Norman influences can be seen. The churchyard is notable for containing the remains of the fable ‘Wolf of Badenoch’ (Alexander Stuart – the Earl of Buchan).
“There are plenty of places of interest in and around Dunkeld…”
Get to grips with the wilds with a day trip to the Scotland Land Rover Experience, where you can push a famous 4x4 to the limits through a series of all-terrain outdoor challenges amongst jaw-dropping scenery. After you’ve had your nerves jangled, you’ll need steady hands to cope with painting your own mugs or ornaments at the family-run pottery studio, Going Pottie.
Amenities in Dunkeld are good, but you’ll need to go to Perth for a wider range of shops, pubs and restaurants. For a delicious evening meal try the Atholl Arms Hotel, which boasts a diverse menu prepared by professional chefs with locally sourced ingredients. There is also has a popular chippy in the heart of the town if you fancy something completely informal. Dunkeld has a tourist information centre, so be sure to visit to pick up local maps, tips and up to date information.
We have an inspiring collection of holiday cottages in and around Dunkeld. Why not visit our collection to feel inspired?