Craig a Barns

About Craig a Barns

Rising steeply above Dunkeld, this wooded Hump is far more dramatic than its modest height suggests. Renowned for its jagged schist cliffs, it offers a labyrinth of forest trails and rugged scrambles. The summit provides a clear, rewarding vantage point over the River Tay, Birnam Hill, and the historic cathedral below.

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Did You Know?

• •The name derives from the Scottish Gaelic Creag a' Bharrain, meaning 'Crag of the Pointed Summit'. This refers to the jagged, serrated profile of the hill’s southern face, which stands in sharp contrast to the softer, rolling terrain of the surrounding Perthshire countryside.
• •The hill’s southern face, known as Polney Crag, is a historic cornerstone of Scottish rock climbing. Its accessible schist routes have been used for training since the early 20th century, offering everything from delicate slabs to steep, technical overhangs.
• •Local history identifies the 4th Duke of Atholl, the 'Planter Duke', as the man responsible for the thick woodland. He reportedly used cannons to fire canisters of larch seeds into the inaccessible crevices of the cliffs to ensure the steep slopes were successfully reforested.
• •The summit offers a specific, earned view of Dunkeld Cathedral sitting in the crook of the River Tay. Beyond the valley, the high peak of Schiehallion is often visible to the northwest, while the neighbouring Birnam Hill dominates the view directly to the south.
• •While the Duke's cannons were intended to plant trees, modern walkers must stay alert for mountain bikers who treat the steep, narrow forest tracks with a similar disregard for the terminal velocity of a human body.