Dunper one

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Dunper here.

This is a lovely and varied route, more or less accurately mapped, using farm and forest tracks, constructed and trodden paths, minor roads and footways. The route as a whole would not be suitable for wheelers due to steps, and narrow bouldery paths with tree roots. Parts of it run beside the River Tay but most of it runs through farm and woodland. It crosses the A9 four times, once on a bridge, and three times using underpasses. However I cannot give it more than one star as the route is currently blocked by 100m of windblown trees just west of Bee Cottage, following the gales of 2021-22, and I have therefore submitted an alternative route as DunPer2.

From Dunkeld the route crosses the River Tay on Telford's bridge then dives down steep steps (sign indicates Path to Birnam Oak) see photo. It runs beside the river Tay, past some huge trees, then heads up into Birnam (various cafes). Leaving the top end of Station Road the route passes beneath the railway and A9 before turning south to use the Birnam Hill Path on the wooded lower slopes of Birnam Hill. This path is waymarked with red disks, and is undulating with some fairly steep sections. It is slightly wrongly mapped where it joins the old road to an upper quarry – follow the red waymarks.

The route leaves the Birnam Hill path at an unmarked trodden route to descend slightly then gradually climb to a junction of forest tracks. The route follows the leftmost track, above the Tay valley, and passes an interesting building within the now felled forest. Further along access is barred by the windblown trees. Before Bee Cottage/Pass of Birnam a minor and overgrown path cuts across to another farm/forest track, from which it is a short distance to the B867 (bus stop). DunPer2 avoids the windblown trees and overgrown path.

After crossing the B867 a minor road (no footway) and private road leads to Kingswood. The route then turns south (signposted to Bankfoot) and uses a forest track and trodden paths to reach Bankfoot. In Bankfoot the route uses back lanes to reach the western end of the village. There are bus stops, 2 pubs, and a shop more centrally in Bankfoot. A pleasant route through Scot's Wood, about 3km on a very quiet minor road, then the route heads past Tophead and Gellybanks on farm tracks. The A9 is crossed on a new bridge then pavements into Luncarty (shop, bus stops).

From Luncarty the route follows the western bank of the River Tay, mostly on trodden paths, until the River Almond is crossed (underpasses beneath the A9 and railway line). The path into Perth from this point would be suitable for wheelers as the paths are surfaced and wide, and there are drop kerbs in the centre of Perth.

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