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The Fiddler's Path walk from Dunkeld
A walk · Dunkeld

The Fiddler's Path – Dunkeld's Loop of the Tay

About 5.6 miles on foot.

Dunkeld CathedralStartJubilee BridgeWhere you turn

The Fiddler's Path is Dunkeld's long riverside loop, out from the old cathedral along the Tay among huge old trees and over the river at Jubilee Bridge.

It comes back down the far bank past Niel Gow's Oak, where the fiddler is said to have found many of his tunes. The short Bishop's Path makes a family stroll of the first stretch. Lunch is at ARAN on Atholl Street when you're back.

Time
About two and three quarter hours: the council's Fiddler's Path, a 9 km loop from Dunkeld Cathedral by Jubilee Bridge and Niel Gow's Oak. Or the Bishop's Path, 2.5 km, about 45 minutes. A walk.
The path
Riverside paths and a short, steep stretch of drive; the Bishop's Path suits most abilities.
Where to start
Atholl Street and Tay Terrace car parks in Dunkeld, pay and display: £1.50 for an hour, £2.50 for two, £4.20 for four.
Set off
From November to February, set off by noon to be back in daylight.
When to go
All year in daylight; from November to February set off by noon. ARAN closes early on a day it sells out.
Dogs
On a lead by the river and through the town.
Children
The Bishop's Path is the family walk; the river bank has drops.
Toilets
Public toilets at the Atholl Street car park.

The walk

The walk starts at Dunkeld Cathedral, a short walk from the town's car parks on Atholl Street and Tay Terrace, which are pay and display: £1.50 for an hour, £2.50 for two or £4.20 for four. Perth and Kinross Council's Fiddler's Path is a 9 km loop, about two and three quarter hours. It runs out past the cathedral and along the bank of the Tay towards Dunkeld House among some very big old trees, past a stand of silver birch where roe deer are often seen.

It crosses the river at Jubilee Bridge and comes back down the far bank past Niel Gow's Oak. That's the spot where the fiddler Niel Gow is said to have composed many of his tunes. Watch the river for salmon rising, goosanders, herons and dippers.

The Bishop's Path starts the same way and curves away before Dunkeld House, 2.5 km and about 45 minutes, and suits most abilities. At the back of the cathedral, read the story of the Parent Larch, the mother of millions. There are public toilets in the Atholl Street car park.

If it rains

On a wet day take the short Bishop's Path under the big trees and go early to ARAN.

Afterwards

  1. About 3 min on foot

    ARAN Bakery

    ARAN Bakery

    Lunch

    Lunch is at ARAN Bakery on Atholl Street, a few minutes' walk from the cathedral, for sourdough, pastries, cakes, coffee and lunch from the counter. It opens Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 3.30pm and Sunday from 10am to 3.30pm, and closes early on a day it sells out, so don't leave it late. If it's sold out, the café at Birnam Arts, across the bridge in Birnam, serves soup and sandwiches every day until 4pm.

    More about ARAN Bakery

Before you go

  1. Book accommodation nearby

    If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.

    JuniperClose byJuniperSleeps 2Pheasant Cottage5 miles awayPheasant CottageSleeps 6Little Pheasant5 miles awayLittle PheasantSleeps 4

Where to eat

ARAN Bakery, artisan bakery and lunches.

The Taybank, riverside pub, live music.

Find out more

For further reading, before you go.

Photograph by Vadim Solodukhin via Google