The Corbenic Poetry Path

Dunkeld and Birnam are renowned for their stunning walks and beautiful countryside and we enjoy the company of many guests who come to Perthshire to explore the countryside and take advantage of the wide and varied choice of paths along the walking network.

A recent addition to our local walks is the stunning Corbenic Poetry Path; this is a walk through the woods and hillsides of Trochry that is sprinkled with poems by local writers. Set in the grounds of the old Drumour Shooting Lodge, the path has been created and maintained by the residents of the Corbenic Camphill Community.  Trochry is a about a 15 minute drive from Birnam, and the views on the way up are worth the effort on their own.  (Please note, we are happy to arrange transport for those guests who have arrived by train or who have been dropped off).

The path starts at the car park, and once it opens up you will find yourself exploring and experiencing the breathtaking wildness and beauty that makes Perthshire a world class tourist destination.  Terrains span from open hillside and moorland through to ancient native woodlands and riverbanks.  Views across landscapes boasting forests, mountain ranges and heather hills make every twist and turn a new adventure and of course, the walk is as blissfully interrupted with the wildlife and vistas as much as it is the poetry and art.

The path has been designed to fit sympathetically into its wild setting and it picks up the many curves and contours of the land it inhabits.  For over two years, volunteers and teams of people have built this path by hand, digging out the route and moving tons of gravel by wheelbarrow.   The writing, the poems, the small glimpses of art sensitively introduced to the wilderness of Perthshire, showcases the work of some of Scotland’s best poets.  These men and women all live and write in Scotland and many live close to Corbenic which, as you’d guess, has been the inspiration for the works you will enjoy.

The poets involved so far include John Glenday, Jim Carruth, Kenneth Steven, Ron Butlin, Patricia Ace, Anne Connolly,  Andy Jackson, Jon Plunkett, Eileen Carney Hulme, Morgan Downie, Sally Evans, Alec Finlay, Chrys Salt, Mary McDougall, Leonard McDermid, Nikki Magennis and Margaret Gilles Brown. We also have poems ready for inclusion from Kathleen Jamie, Brian Johnstone, Chris Powici Elizabeth Rimmer and Richard Livermore.

Like all art, and nature, The Corbenic Poetry Path is a never-ending project and the volunteers and artists involved will add and develop new works as time goes on.   It is currently 3km long but we advise you give yourself at least an hour to soak up the views, wildlife, art and words as you make your way through this unique and wonderful path.  To see more, click over to this recent gallery and Corbenic Poetry Path News Article.

Dunkeld House Hotel has been accredited by Visit Scotland as part of their Walkers Welcome quality assurance scheme and we would be very happy to assist you in planning this, and other walks nearby in Dunkeld, Birnam and wider Perthshire.