The Hermitage and the Braan Walk, Dunkeld
Perthshire
The Hermitage, two miles west of Dunkeld, is a wooded glen on the River Braan created as a wild garden by the son-in-law of the second Duke of Atholl and now owned to the National Trust for Scotland. The Trust asks for dogs to be kept on leads near the water and the Black Linn Falls, where the current is fast, though there is riverside woodland to enjoy elsewhere. This 7km circuit leaves the car park by the riverside path, passes under the railway and reaches a bridge beneath Ossian's Hall, a folly built so that the roaring Black Linn Falls are revealed only at the last moment from its viewing terrace. Beyond it the path passes Ossian's Cave, a stone grotto, and continues up the glen, becoming quieter as it crosses open grazing land to the Rumbling Bridge, an old stone bridge high over a gorge with waterfalls far below. The return climbs through native woodland to a viewpoint back over the bridge, follows tracks through Ladywell plantation and crosses the Braan again at Inver before a path beside the A9 leads back to the start. There is 140 metres of climbing on clear waymarked paths, tracks and minor roads.
This dog friendly walk gives dogs a real mix, from shady riverside woodland to open fields. The National Trust for Scotland asks for dogs to be kept on leads near the water's edge and around the Black Linn Falls, where the current is fast and the rocks slippery, and the grazing land beyond the Hermitage also needs a lead.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 7.0 km (4.3 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 2 hr 10 min
- Walk Type
- Woodland, Waterfall, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- No cafe or toilets listed at the Hermitage; shops, cafes and pubs in Dunkeld, 2 miles away.
- Parking
- The Hermitage car park off the A9, National Trust for Scotland, parking charge; free for NTS members.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to The Hermitage and the Braan Walk, Dunkeld, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
The Old Police Cottage - Lintrathen
Sleeps 6 · 3 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £675 / 7 nights
Booking links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices are a guide only and change with dates and availability.
All dog friendly stays in PerthshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is The Hermitage and the Braan Walk, Dunkeld dog friendly?
Yes, The Hermitage and the Braan Walk is a great choice for dogs, earning a solid 8/10 on our dog-friendly rating. The 7km circuit offers a lovely mix of shady riverside woodland, open fields and dramatic gorge scenery, giving dogs plenty to explore and enjoy along the way.
Can dogs be off lead at The Hermitage and the Braan Walk, Dunkeld?
There are sections where dogs can enjoy more freedom, but leads are required in certain areas. The National Trust for Scotland asks that dogs are kept on leads near the water's edge and around the Black Linn Falls, where the current is fast and the rocks slippery, and leads are also needed on the grazing land beyond the Hermitage.
What should I know before visiting The Hermitage and the Braan Walk, Dunkeld with my dog?
The walk is well waymarked with around 140 metres of climbing, so it's worth coming prepared for a varied route that includes riverside paths, open grazing land and woodland tracks. There are no café or toilet facilities at the Hermitage itself, but Dunkeld, just two miles away, has shops, cafes and pubs. Parking is available at the NTS car park off the A9 — it's free for NTS members, with a charge for non-members.
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