Today was lovely and bright and perfect for a walk. We climbed Birnam Hill, a circuit of about 5 miles and around 1300 feet of ascent. If you’ve heard of Birnam, you’ve probably read or seen Macbeth! Not that there’s much of Birnam Wood left these days, what with the railway and the A9 both cutting through it.

Going clockwise on the walk, the slope is relatively gentle with good, broad paths until the final ascent which is steep (with steps to help) and muddy. The views at the top, over to Highland Perthshire, are fantastic, especially on such a clear day.

The way down is steeper and muddier, but I’m glad we went that way so that we didn’t miss the views back down to Birnam and Dunkeld. I think I look quite intrepid here!

Beatrix Potter spent several holidays in Birnam and wrote her first picture letter here, which later became The Tale of Peter Rabbit, and there is now a museum and garden dedicated to her. I’m not too sure what some of these bunny rabbits in the garden are up to!

After a good lunch in the Birnam Inn, we strolled over the Tay to Dunkeld and spent the afternoon exploring the cathedral and wandering by the river with its Thomas Telford-designed bridge. Many of the houses in the town are owned by the National Trust for Scotland.

After that, it was back to the hotel to prepare for dinner with our appetites restored. I do find that fresh air makes me very hungry!