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
- Grid ref
- NO 03209 40170
- Nearest city
- Perth· 19km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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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: Good signal on summit; EE reliable. Clear views to Dunkeld and Strathtay.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:23
- Sunset
- 22:07
- Civil dawn
- 03:18
- Civil dusk
- 23:12
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Around Birnam Hill - King's Seat on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Dunkeld & Birnam station
Birnam Hill, Hermitage walks, southern Perthshire gateway
3km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Dunkeld
Southern Cairngorms gateway — Hermitage, Loch of the Lowes
3km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Aberfeldy
Aberfeldy — heart of Dewar's blends; honey-and-heather Highland style
19km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Birnam Hill - King's Seat — common questions
- How hard is Birnam Hill - King's Seat?
- Birnam Hill - King's Seat is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. 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.
- When is the best time to climb Birnam Hill - King's Seat?
- The standard good-weather months for Birnam Hill - King's Seat are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.
- Can I bring my dog up Birnam Hill - King's Seat?
- Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.
- Is there mobile signal on Birnam Hill - King's Seat?
- Good signal on summit; EE reliable. 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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