Kinnoull Hill Woodland Park

Forestry Commission Scotland/ Perth & Kinross Council

Kinnoull Hill provides a dramatic backdrop to Scotland’s ‘Fair City’, visible throughout Perth and from the Dundee Road. It forms a tranquil haven for people and wildlife with miles of grassy paths and way marked nature trails through fine mixed woodland.

The Woodland Park also includes Deuchny Hill, which is surmounted by the remains of an iron age fort.

Part of the Sidlaw Hills, it is covered with Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), Norway spruce (Picea abies), larch (Larix deciduas) and oak (both Quercus robur and petraea) in addition to naturally regenerating birch (Betula pendula), alder (Alnus glutinosa), ash (Fraxinus excelsior), rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) and broom (Genista spiniflora).

The distinctive folly near the summit, so visible on the approach roads from the south and east, was built in the 19th century as a reflection of the castles on the banks of the Rhine. In common with other private sites at that time, the hill was part of a designed landscape with carefully laid out walks and drives.

The park contains the ancient coronation road used by the Kings of Scotland travelling from Scone Palace to Falkland Palace and the panoramic views from the summit are outstanding. On a clear day they stretch west to Ben Ledi, south to the Lomonds, east to the Carse of Gowrie and north to the Highlands.

A lot of work has been carried as part of the Heritage & Access Project including significant improvements to the paths criss-crossing the park.

Ongoing work on interpretation will further enhance the visitors' enjoyment to this stunning area.

Thanks to a generous bequest by the late Jim Aitken, an arboretum on Deuchny Hill is also to be restored for the benefit of the people of Perth.

Visit any time of year.

Easy and moderate-going walks of 0.75 miles/ 1 km to 2.5 miles/ 4 km.

Cycling and horse-riding welcome in selected areas of park.

Location

On the eastern side of the Tay and Perth, providing easy access from the A90.

There are two main entrances, from the Jubilee car park and the Quarry car park.

Public transport & other facilities

Take the bus from Perth town centre.

Car parking provision at the Jubilee and Quarry car parks.

Toilets and refreshments are provided in the centre of Perth.

The cliffs of Kinnoull Hill Woodland Park often plays host to a pair of nesting peregrine falcons.

The birds are identifiable by their sickle-shaped outline.

They are known as assassins of the skies for their skill in hunting other birds. They dive on them from above at astonishing speeds estimated at up to 240 miles per hour.