Marilyn · Perthshire
Birnam Hill - King's Seat
King's Seat is the highest point of Birnam Hill, the wooded knot above Dunkeld in NO-square Perthshire. Shakespeare's "Birnam Wood" still cloaks the lower flanks, dropping steeply to the Tay at Dunkeld and Birnam. The 403m top is a low crag with a triangulation pillar and a commanding view down Strathtay and out over Stanley.
Quick facts
- Height
- 403.8m/ 1325ft
- Prominence
- 171 m
- Grid ref
- NO 03209 40170
- Nearest city
- Perth· 19km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).
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Standard route
woodland paths 35% · heather moorland 45% · rocky summit 20%
The classic line begins from the small Inchewan car park beside the A9 just south of Birnam, climbing the waymarked Birnam Hill path past Stair Bridge through Scots pine and oak to the rocky col, then turning south over the heather crest to the trig point on King's Seat.
Terrain
Stony forestry tracks and rooty footpath through oak and pine on the lower hill, then a heather and outcrop ridge with little exposed root over the summit slabs. Some sections of bedrock can be slick when wet.
In winter
A short, sheltered hill where ice on the bedrock steps east of Stair Bridge is the main winter problem; full snow cover is unusual and rarely lasts. Microspikes are the most useful piece of kit between December and February.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 29m
- Edinburgh2h 50m
OS maps: OS Landranger 52, OS Landranger 53, OS Explorer 379E
Mobile signal: Solid summit coverage; EE behaves well. Clear views to Dunkeld and Strathtay.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:11
- Sunset
- 21:30
- Civil dawn
- 04:21
- Civil dusk
- 22:21
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Around Birnam Hill - King's Seat on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Birnam Hill - King's Seat — common questions
- How hard is Birnam Hill - King's Seat?
- We grade Birnam Hill - King's Seat at 1/5, which puts it in easy territory. Ground conditions: Stony forestry tracks and rooty footpath through oak and pine on the lower hill, then a heather and outcrop ridge with little exposed root over the summit slabs.
- How much drop does Birnam Hill - King's Seat have?
- The drop is 171m: measured from the summit of Birnam Hill - King's Seat down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain. Passing the 150m-drop threshold on all sides is exactly what makes it a Marilyn.
- What's the best month to climb Birnam Hill - King's Seat?
- Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Birnam Hill - King's Seat. In the remaining months treat it as a winter hill — full kit, solid navigation, and a look at the relevant SAIS avalanche forecast before you go.
- Can dogs go up Birnam Hill - King's Seat?
- Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.
- Will I get phone signal on Birnam Hill - King's Seat?
- Solid summit coverage; EE behaves well. Clear views to Dunkeld and Strathtay.
- Is Birnam Hill - King's Seat safe in winter?
- A short, sheltered hill where ice on the bedrock steps east of Stair Bridge is the main winter problem; full snow cover is unusual and rarely lasts. Microspikes are the most useful piece of kit between December and February.
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