The Hermitage – Ossian's Hall and the Black Linn Falls
About 0.8 miles on foot.
The Hermitage, just outside Dunkeld, is a short woodland walk with a waterfall at the end.
A wide path follows the River Braan under towering Douglas firs to Ossian's Hall, a little Georgian folly perched right above the roaring Black Linn falls. Lunch is a few minutes down the road in Birnam, at the café in Birnam Arts. It suits anyone who wants a big waterfall for a small walk.
- Time
- About an hour: 1.2 km there and back to Ossian's Hall on the wide track, with time at the falls.
- The path
- The wide track signposted Ossian's Hall is step-free and ends at the hall; the riverside route has uneven steps. Disabled drivers may drive carefully along the track to the hall.
- Where to start
- The National Trust for Scotland's lower Hermitage car park, pay and display, signed on the left off the A9 heading north just past Dunkeld; it fills on fine days. If it is full, park in Dunkeld, never beside the A9.
- Set off
- Earlier in the day on a fine weekend, before the car park fills.
- When to go
- The Hermitage is open woodland all year (go in daylight); the café at Birnam Arts opens every day, 10am to 4pm.
- Dogs
- Under control, on a lead near the river and falls; not inside Ossian's Hall.
- Children
- A fast river and slippery rocks by the falls: keep children close. No baby changing.
- Toilets
- Public toilets at the Atholl Street car park in Dunkeld.
- Before you set out
- Ossian's Hall can close for weddings; the Trust posts it on Facebook and Instagram.
The walk
The signed turn to the Hermitage's lower car park is off the A9 just north of Dunkeld, on the left heading north. The National Trust for Scotland runs it as a pay-and-display car park, £5 a car at the time of writing and free to its members. It fills on fine days, so earlier is better, and if it's full, park in Dunkeld rather than beside the A9.
There are no toilets or café at the Hermitage, so stop in Dunkeld first if you need one. The wide track signposted Ossian's Hall is step-free all the way. It runs beside the River Braan under towering Douglas firs to Ossian's Hall, a viewing house built in 1757 for the 2nd Duke of Atholl, right above the Black Linn falls.
Perth and Kinross Council puts it at 1.2 km there and back, and with time at the falls an hour is about right. The riverside path has uneven steps, and the river is fast with slippery rocks, so keep children close and dogs on a lead near the falls. The Trust sometimes closes Ossian's Hall for weddings, and the paths aren't gritted in winter.
If it rains
A wet morning suits the falls, which are loudest after rain, and the tall trees keep off the worst of a shower: wear shoes with a good grip, keep to the wide track, and warm up over soup at Birnam Arts.
Afterwards
4 min by car
The café at Birnam Arts
Lunch
Lunch is at the café in Birnam Arts on Station Road, 4 minutes' drive away in Birnam, with free parking on the street outside. It's open every day from 10am to 4pm, with soup of the day, freshly made sandwiches, pastries and cakes, and gluten-free and vegan choices. Children and dogs are both welcome, and you don't need to book. There are ramps inside, and accessible toilets on both floors.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
Where to eat
The Taybank, riverside pub, live music.
ARAN Bakery, artisan bakery and lunches.