The Hermitage section contains a Douglas fir planted in the 1700s that is among the tallest trees in the UK.
Ben Lawers National Nature Reserve, located within the park, hosts rare alpine flora found nowhere else in the British Isles.
The park incorporates the Black Wood of Rannoch, one of the largest remnants of the ancient Caledonian pine forest.
Ossian’s Hall of Mirrors, a Georgian folly located at the Hermitage, was constructed in 1757 to provide dramatic views of the Black Linn waterfall.
The park is home to protected populations of red squirrels and golden eagles.
Tay Forest Park is a vast network of forests managed by Forestry and Land Scotland, covering diverse landscapes including the slopes of Ben Lawers and the Hermitage in Dunkeld. The park spans from the Trossachs to the Cairngorms, featuring diverse habitats ranging from ancient pine forests to deciduous woodlands. It contains some of the tallest trees in Britain, including notable Douglas firs. Visitors can explore extensive trail networks suitable for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The park encompasses the summit of Ben Lawers, the highest mountain in the Southern Highlands. Various sites within the park, such as the Hermitage, feature historical structures like 18th-century follies and ruins. The terrain is highly variable, ranging from valley floors near the River Tay to high-altitude alpine zones. It is a managed landscape designed for both commercial forestry and public recreational use.
Ossian’s Hall overlooking the Black Linn waterfall at the Hermitage.
Check the Forestry and Land Scotland website for real-time forestry work alerts, which can temporarily close specific trails.
Dress in multiple layers to accommodate rapid weather shifts between the river valleys and the high mountain peaks.
Download offline maps before arrival, as mobile signal is intermittent or non-existent in the deeper glens.
Attempting to hike high-altitude trails like Ben Lawers without proper mountain navigation gear and sufficient daylight.
Follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code; keep dogs under strict control near livestock and wildlife, and take all litter home.
