Across the river from Perth City Centre is the Kinnoull Hill Woodland Park. A haven for walkers and cyclists. In 1991 Kinnoull Hill became the first dedicated Woodland Park in Scotland.
There are four marked walking trails in the Woodland Park taking you up through the woods to the summit. The climb from the Corsie Hill carpark is the easiest way up. There is also a route from Branklyn Gardens in the city centre for those looking for a longer walk. The numerous paths offer great variety as you wind your way up through the woods to the summit. Whichever path you choose, you will be rewarded at the top with simply stunning views of the surrounding area. Watch boats on the river and cars crossing the bridge into and out of Perth. If you visit the Museum and Art Gallery in Perth itself you will see this view replicated by several artists over the years. Perth has always been an important trading centre and its easy to see why with the roads and rivers all converging on the city.
When you reach the top you will also be greeted by the sight of Kinnoull Hill Tower. Built in 1829 by Lord Grey of Kinfaunds, the tower is an example of a “folly”, a structure that is built solely for decoration. The nearby Binn Tower was also used as an observatory by Grey. He believed that the River Tay bore a likeness to the Rhine in Germany and the two buildings are intended to resemble German castles.
Visitors can also enjoy the James Aitken Arboretum. The Scottish naturalist and landscape gardener who died in 2003 left money in his will to revive the Arboretum. There is easy access from the Jubilee carpark and you will find a noticeboard on the trees that have been planted there. The theme of the arboretum is “from forest to garden”, so keen gardeners may find inspiration with several smaller varieties of trees present.
