Dunkeld Hilton House Hotel grounds

The current Dunkeld House is now a hotel, but the Dukes of Atholl built two previous houses in the area and carried out extensive landscaping of the grounds.

They also experimented with planting different trees, and on such a scale that they became known as the ‘Planting Dukes’ Between 1738 and 1830 they planted some 27 million conifers – ‘for beauty and profit’ – around Dunkeld.

There are many awe inspiring trees within this compact site, firmly establishing its position in the region known as Big Tree Country. The Parent Larch stands behind Dunkeld cathedral and is the sole survivor of a group of European larches (Larix deciduas) planted in 1738.

Adjacent to the hotel grounds are the Kennel Bank larches forming a shallow crescent on the north side of the main driveway. They contain trees grown from the seed of the Parent Larch, and 11 of the Original Japanese Larches.

These trees represent the first of the species to be brought to Scotland by the 7th Duke of Atholl in 1785 when a total of 14 were planted. Natural hybridisation between the European and Japanese larches at this spot gave rise to the Dunkeld larch, which on account of its hardiness was to revolutionise Scottish forestry.

Also within the grounds of the Hilton Dunkeld House, are many British record breaking trees, including the largest girth Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), the tallest red fir (Abies magnifica) and a sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) from the first batch imported to Britain.

Location

Access is north from the A9 and continue through Dunkeld - entrance is on the left at the top of the main street.

Public transport & other facilities

Take the bus or the train to Dunkeld & Birnam.

Car parking is located at the Dunkeld North car park which also has toilet facilities.

All other facilities and refreshments are available in Dunkeld.

Tourist Information Centre in Dunkeld provides all walk route information.