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Coordinates: 56°33′25″N 3°34′34″W / 56.557°N 3.576°W / 56.557; -3.576
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{{Redirect|Birnam Wood}}
{{Redirect|Birnam Wood}}
{{Infobox UK place
{{Infobox UK place
| country = Scotland
| country = Scotland
| official_name = Birnam
| official_name = Birnam
| gaelic_name= Braonan
| gaelic_name = Braonan
| population =
| population =
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| os_grid_reference = NO032417
| os_grid_reference = NO032417
| coordinates = {{coord|56.557|-3.576|display=inline,title}}
| latitude = 56.557260
| scots_name =
| longitude = -3.576455
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| unitary_scotland = [[Perth and Kinross]]
| scots_name =
| unitary_scotland = [[Perth and Kinross]]
| lieutenancy_scotland = Perth and Kinross
| constituency_westminster = [[Angus and Perthshire Glens (UK Parliament constituency)|Angus and Perthshire Glens]]
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| lieutenancy_scotland = [[Perth and Kinross]]
| constituency_scottish_parliament = [[Perthshire North (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Perthshire North]]
| constituency_westminster =
| constituency_scottish_parliament = [[North Tayside (Scottish Parliament constituency)|North Tayside]]
| constituency_scottish_parliament1 = [[Mid Scotland and Fife (Scottish Parliament electoral region)|Mid Scotland and Fife]]
| post_town =
| constituency_scottish_parliament1 = [[North East Scotland]]
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| static_image =
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'''Birnam''' is a village in [[Perth and Kinross]], Scotland. It is located {{convert|12|mi|km}} north of Perth on the [[A9 road (Great Britain)|A9 road]], the main tourist route through Perthshire, in an area of Scotland marketed as ''Big Tree Country''.<ref name="fcs">{{cite web|url=https://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/images/pdf/rec_pdfs/Tay-Forest-Park-Map-and-Trail-Guide.pdf|title=Tay Forest Park: Tall Trees & Big Views|publisher=Forestry and Land Scotland|date=2020|access-date=2 September 2020}}</ref> The village originated from the [[Victorian era]] with the coming of the railway in 1856, although the place and name is well known because [[William Shakespeare]] mentioned Birnam Wood in ''[[Macbeth]]'':
⚫
[[File:John Everett Millais - Glen Birnam.JPG|thumb|Glen Birnam by John Everett Millais]]
'''Birnam''' is a town in [[Perthshire]], [[Scotland]]. The town originated from the [[Victorian era]] with the coming of the railway in 1856, although the place and name is well known because [[William Shakespeare]] mentioned Birnam Wood in ''[[Macbeth]]''.<ref>"Macbeth shall never vanquished be until //
Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill //
Shall come against him." William Shakespeare, ''Macbeth'', 4.1</ref> Prior to the construction of the railway, the only substantial building on the site of the present village was the church of Little Dunkeld parish, which still stands in its ancient position within a graveyard within the village.


{{Blockquote|MACBETH: Till Birnam wood remove to Dunsinane/ I cannot taint with fear.|Shakespeare, ''Macbeth'', Act 5, scene 3.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.folger.edu/explore/shakespeares-works/macbeth/read/5/3/|title=Macbeth, Act 5, scene 3 |website=Folger Library|access-date=23 October 2023}}</ref>}}
==Location==
Birnam lies on the bank of the [[River Tay]], in [[Perthshire]]’s 'Big Tree Country' and is located 12 miles north of Perth on the [[A9 road (Great Britain)|A9 road]], the main tourist route through [[Perthshire]].


[[Dunkeld]], to whose monastery [[Kenneth I of Scotland|Kenneth MacAlpin]], the first King of Scotland, moved the bones of [[St. Columba]] around the middle of the 9th century, and which is notable for [[Dunkeld Cathedral|its cathedral]], lies on the opposite bank of the river.
Prior to the construction of the railway, the only substantial building on the site of the present village was the church of Little Dunkeld parish, which still stands in its ancient position within a graveyard within the village. [[Dunkeld]], to whose monastery [[Kenneth I of Scotland|Kenneth MacAlpin]], the first King of Scotland, moved the bones of [[St. Columba]] around the middle of the ninth century, and which is notable for [[Dunkeld Cathedral|its cathedral]], lies on the opposite bank of the river.


==Governance==
===Transportation===
Birnam is in the [[Perth and Kinross]] [[Subdivisions_of_Scotland#Council_areas|council area]], and in the [[Community_council#Scotland|Community Council area]] of Dunkeld and Birnam, which also includes [[Amulree]], Butterstone, [[Dalguise]], Kindallachan, [[Loch Ordie]], and Strathbraan.<ref>{{cite web |title=Find your Community Council |url=https://www.pkc.gov.uk/article/14907/Find-your-Community-Council |website=Perth & Kinross Council |access-date=21 November 2024 |language=en |quote=Area 32 - Dunkeld and Birnam}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Dunkeld & Birnam Community Council |url=https://www.facebook.com/DandBCC/?locale=en_GB |website=Facebook |access-date=21 November 2024}}</ref>
Birnam is approximately one hour from [[Glasgow]] and [[Edinburgh]] airports, and two hours from [[Inverness]] by car.


It is in the [[Perthshire North (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Perthshire North]] constituency for the [[Scottish Parliament]] where {{as of|2024|lc=yes}} has been represented since 2011 by [[John Swinney]] for the [[Scottish National Party|SNP]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Perthshire North - Scottish Parliament constituency |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2021/scotland/constituencies/S16000137 |website=BBC News |access-date=21 November 2024 |date=2021}}</ref> It is in the [[Angus and Perthshire Glens (UK Parliament constituency)|Angus and Perthshire Glens]] constituency for the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|UK Parliament]], where {{as of|2024|lc=yes}} it is represented by [[Dave Doogan]] for the SNP.<ref>{{cite web |title=Angus and Perthshire Glens - General election results 2024 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2024/uk/constituencies/S14000065 |website=BBC News |access-date=21 November 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Angus and Perthshire Glens - MapIt |url=https://mapit.mysociety.org/area/169492.html |website=mapit.mysociety.org |access-date=21 November 2024}}</ref>
There is access by rail at [[Dunkeld and Birnam railway station]], on the [[London]] to [[Inverness]] route.


==Transport==
There are regular bus and coach services to Birnam and Dunkeld.
⚫
[[File:Dunkeld and Birnam Railway Station - geograph.org.uk - 1587361.jpg|thumb|Dunkeld and Birnam Railway Station]]
In 1977, Birnam, along with neighbouring Dunkeld and Little Dunkeld, was bypassed by [[A9 road (Scotland)|A9]].<ref name=bridge>{{cite web|url=http://www.dunkeldandbirnam.org.uk/historyheritage/33-history/75-thomas-telford-s-bridge|title=Thomas Telford's Bridge|publisher=Dunkeld & Birnam Tourism Association|access-date=2018-05-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923220916/http://www.dunkeldandbirnam.org.uk/historyheritage/33-history/75-thomas-telford-s-bridge|archive-date=23 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The village is now approximately one hour from [[Glasgow]] and [[Edinburgh]], and two hours from [[Inverness]], by car. There are regular bus and coach services to Birnam and Dunkeld along the A9, with long-distance coaches operated by [[Scottish Citylink]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citylink.co.uk/timetables/Summer%2018/WEB_EdinburghInverness.pdf|title=Timetable:Edinburgh/Inverness|publisher=Scottish CityLink Coaches Ltd|access-date=2018-05-22}}</ref> There is access by rail at [[Dunkeld & Birnam railway station]] on the [[Highland Main Line]] route between [[Perth, Scotland|Perth]] and [[Inverness]]. Most services on the route extend to either [[Edinburgh Waverley railway station|Edinburgh Waverley]] or [[Glasgow Queen Street railway station|Glasgow Queen Street]]; on Sundays only a southbound train operated by the [[East Coast Main Line]] [[train operating company|operator]] extends to [[London King's Cross railway station|London King's Cross]] via Edinburgh, although there is no corresponding northbound service from London.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scotrail.co.uk/sites/default/files/assets/download_ct/sr1805_a7_12273_edinburgh-and-glasgow-to-inverness_web.pdf|title=Timetable: Edinburgh & Glasgow - Inverness (20 May 2018 – 8 Dec 2018)|publisher=ScotRail|access-date=2018-05-21}}</ref> A daily (except Saturday) London service is offered by the overnight [[Caledonian Sleeper]] trains to and from [[London Euston railway station|London Euston]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sleeper.scot/timetables/london-inverness|title=Timetable: London - Inverness (20 May 2018 – 8 Dec 2018)|publisher=Caledonian Sleeper|access-date=2018-05-22}}</ref>


==Notable people==
In 1977 Birnam along with Dunkeld was bypassed by [[A9 road (Scotland)|A9]].
⚫
[[File:John Everett Millais - Glen Birnam.JPG|thumb|''Glen Birnam'' by [[John Everett Millais]], 1890]]


[[John Everett Millais]], who painted many local landscapes, and [[Beatrix Potter]], with her family, often visited Birnam. Potter drafted her first book, ''[[The Tale of Peter Rabbit]]'', at Eastwood House whilst writing a story and picture letter to child friend Noel Moore on 4 September 1893.<ref name="bbc2016">{{cite news|title=Beatrix Potter's hidden Scottish link|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-36759452|access-date=21 May 2018|work=BBC News|date=13 July 2016}}</ref><ref name="eastwood">{{cite web|title=History|url=http://eastwoodhousedunkeld.com/history/|publisher=Eastwood House|access-date=21 May 2018}}</ref> There is an exhibition and garden dedicated to Potter and her characters in Birnam.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dunkeldandbirnam.org.uk/listing/beatrix-potter-exhibition-and-garden/|title=Beatrix Potter Exhibition and Garden|publisher=Dunkeld & Birnam Tourism Association|access-date=22 May 2018}}</ref>
== History ==
⚫
There is an ancient tree, the [[Birnam Oak]], standing a few hundred metres from the centre of Birnam on Murthly Estate. Traditionally, it was known as "The Hangman's Tree".<ref>[[Smout, T. C.]], MacDonald, R. and Watson, Fiona (2007) ''A History of the Native Woodlands of Scotland 1500-1920''. Edinburgh University Press. ISBN 978-0-7486-3294-7. p.78.</ref>


Dr [[George Smyttan]] [[FRSE]] HEIC (1789-1863) was born and raised in Dunkeld, and retained links to Birnam all his life.
[[John Everett Millais]], who painted many local landscapes, and [[Beatrix Potter]], with her family, often visited Birnam.


== Attractions ==
== Attractions ==
⚫
There is an ancient tree, the [[Birnam Oak]], standing a few hundred metres from the centre of Birnam on Murthly Estate. Traditionally, it was known as "The Hangman's Tree".<ref>[[Smout, T. C.]], MacDonald, R. and Watson, Fiona (2007) ''A History of the Native Woodlands of Scotland 1500-1920''. Edinburgh University Press. {{ISBN|978-0-7486-3294-7}}. p.78.</ref> The Birnam Oak is believed to be the only remaining tree from the Birnam Wood of ''Macbeth''.<ref name=qualities>{{cite web|url=https://www.nature.scot/sites/default/files/2017-07/Publication%202010%20-%20SNH%20Commissioned%20Report%20374%20-%20The%20Special%20Qualities%20of%20the%20National%20Scenic%20Areas.pdf|title=The special qualities of the National Scenic Areas|publisher=Scottish Natural Heritage|date=2010|pages=127–135|access-date=2018-05-14}}</ref>
Birnam has The [[Beatrix Potter]] Exhibition and Garden, and The [[Birnam Arts and Conference Centre]], a community run arts and performance centre with library.


In addition to The [[Beatrix Potter]] Exhibition and Garden, Birnam also has a community-run arts and performance centre and library, Birnam Arts and Conference Centre.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.birnamarts.com/birnam-arts/|title=About Birnam Arts|publisher=Birnam Arts|access-date=2018-05-22}}</ref>
⚫
The Birnam Highland Games is where the World Haggis Eating Championships are held.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/7588498.stm "Scot claims haggis eating crown"] BBC. Retrieved 31 August 2009.</ref>


⚫
The Birnam [[Highland Games]] is the location of the World [[Haggis]] Eating Championships.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/7588498.stm|title=Scot claims haggis eating crown|work=BBC News|date=30 August 2008|access-date=2 September 2020}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Birnam wood macbeth.jpg|Birnam Wood in 1800
File:Birnam wood macbeth.jpg|Birnam Wood in 1800
File:Main_Street,_Birnam,_Scotland.jpg|Birnam, Scotland
File:Main_Street,_Birnam,_Scotland.jpg|Main Street, Birnam
File:The_Birnam_Hotel,_Birnam,_Scotland.jpg|The Birnam Hotel
File:The_Birnam_Hotel,_Birnam,_Scotland.jpg|The Birnam Hotel
File:Birnam Institute ca 2003.jpg|The Birnam Arts and Conference Centre
File:Birnam Institute ca 2003.jpg|The Birnam Arts and Conference Centre
⚫
File:Dunkeld and Birnam Railway Station - geograph.org.uk - 1587361.jpg|Dunkeld and Birnam Railway Station
File:Birnam Oak.JPG|The [[Birnam Oak]]
File:Birnam Oak.JPG|The [[Birnam Oak]]
</gallery>
</gallery>
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{{Perth & Kinross Towns & Villages}}
{{Perth & Kinross Towns & Villages}}


[[Category:Towns in Perth and Kinross]]
[[Category:Villages in Perth and Kinross]]

Latest revision as of 11:00, 21 November 2024

"Birnam Wood" redirects here. For other uses, see Birnam Wood (disambiguation).
Birnam
Birnam is located in Perth and Kinross
Birnam
Birnam
Location within Perth and Kinross
OS grid referenceNO032417
Council area
Lieutenancy area
  • Perth and Kinross
CountryScotland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
PoliceScotland
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UK Parliament
Scottish Parliament
List of places
UK
Scotland
56°33′25″N 3°34′34″W / 56.557°N 3.576°W / 56.557; -3.576

Birnam is a village in Perth and Kinross, Scotland. It is located 12 miles (19 km) north of Perth on the A9 road, the main tourist route through Perthshire, in an area of Scotland marketed as Big Tree Country.[1] The village originated from the Victorian era with the coming of the railway in 1856, although the place and name is well known because William Shakespeare mentioned Birnam Wood in Macbeth:

MACBETH: Till Birnam wood remove to Dunsinane/ I cannot taint with fear.

— Shakespeare, Macbeth, Act 5, scene 3.[2]

Prior to the construction of the railway, the only substantial building on the site of the present village was the church of Little Dunkeld parish, which still stands in its ancient position within a graveyard within the village. Dunkeld, to whose monastery Kenneth MacAlpin, the first King of Scotland, moved the bones of St. Columba around the middle of the ninth century, and which is notable for its cathedral, lies on the opposite bank of the river.

Governance

[edit]

Birnam is in the Perth and Kinross council area, and in the Community Council area of Dunkeld and Birnam, which also includes Amulree, Butterstone, Dalguise, Kindallachan, Loch Ordie, and Strathbraan.[3][4]

It is in the Perthshire North constituency for the Scottish Parliament where as of 2024 has been represented since 2011 by John Swinney for the SNP.[5] It is in the Angus and Perthshire Glens constituency for the UK Parliament, where as of 2024 it is represented by Dave Doogan for the SNP.[6][7]

Transport

[edit]
Dunkeld and Birnam Railway Station

In 1977, Birnam, along with neighbouring Dunkeld and Little Dunkeld, was bypassed by A9.[8] The village is now approximately one hour from Glasgow and Edinburgh, and two hours from Inverness, by car. There are regular bus and coach services to Birnam and Dunkeld along the A9, with long-distance coaches operated by Scottish Citylink.[9] There is access by rail at Dunkeld & Birnam railway station on the Highland Main Line route between Perth and Inverness. Most services on the route extend to either Edinburgh Waverley or Glasgow Queen Street; on Sundays only a southbound train operated by the East Coast Main Line operator extends to London King's Cross via Edinburgh, although there is no corresponding northbound service from London.[10] A daily (except Saturday) London service is offered by the overnight Caledonian Sleeper trains to and from London Euston.[11]

Notable people

[edit]
Glen Birnam by John Everett Millais, 1890

John Everett Millais, who painted many local landscapes, and Beatrix Potter, with her family, often visited Birnam. Potter drafted her first book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, at Eastwood House whilst writing a story and picture letter to child friend Noel Moore on 4 September 1893.[12][13] There is an exhibition and garden dedicated to Potter and her characters in Birnam.[14]

Dr George Smyttan FRSE HEIC (1789-1863) was born and raised in Dunkeld, and retained links to Birnam all his life.

Attractions

[edit]

There is an ancient tree, the Birnam Oak, standing a few hundred metres from the centre of Birnam on Murthly Estate. Traditionally, it was known as "The Hangman's Tree".[15] The Birnam Oak is believed to be the only remaining tree from the Birnam Wood of Macbeth.[16]

In addition to The Beatrix Potter Exhibition and Garden, Birnam also has a community-run arts and performance centre and library, Birnam Arts and Conference Centre.[17]

The Birnam Highland Games is the location of the World Haggis Eating Championships.[18]

[edit]
  • Birnam Wood in 1800
    Birnam Wood in 1800
  • Main Street, Birnam
    Main Street, Birnam
  • The Birnam Hotel
    The Birnam Hotel
  • The Birnam Arts and Conference Centre
    The Birnam Arts and Conference Centre
  • The Birnam Oak
    The Birnam Oak

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Tay Forest Park: Tall Trees & Big Views" (PDF). Forestry and Land Scotland. 2020. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  2. ^ "Macbeth, Act 5, scene 3". Folger Library. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  3. ^ "Find your Community Council". Perth & Kinross Council. Retrieved 21 November 2024. Area 32 - Dunkeld and Birnam
  4. ^ "Dunkeld & Birnam Community Council". Facebook. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  5. ^ "Perthshire North - Scottish Parliament constituency". BBC News. 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  6. ^ "Angus and Perthshire Glens - General election results 2024". BBC News. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  7. ^ "Angus and Perthshire Glens - MapIt". mapit.mysociety.org. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  8. ^ "Thomas Telford's Bridge". Dunkeld & Birnam Tourism Association. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 2018-05-22.
  9. ^ "Timetable:Edinburgh/Inverness" (PDF). Scottish CityLink Coaches Ltd. Retrieved 2018-05-22.
  10. ^ "Timetable: Edinburgh & Glasgow - Inverness (20 May 2018 – 8 Dec 2018)" (PDF). ScotRail. Retrieved 2018-05-21.
  11. ^ "Timetable: London - Inverness (20 May 2018 – 8 Dec 2018)". Caledonian Sleeper. Retrieved 2018-05-22.
  12. ^ "Beatrix Potter's hidden Scottish link". BBC News. 13 July 2016. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  13. ^ "History". Eastwood House. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  14. ^ "Beatrix Potter Exhibition and Garden". Dunkeld & Birnam Tourism Association. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  15. ^ Smout, T. C., MacDonald, R. and Watson, Fiona (2007) A History of the Native Woodlands of Scotland 1500-1920. Edinburgh University Press. ISBN 978-0-7486-3294-7. p.78.
  16. ^ "The special qualities of the National Scenic Areas" (PDF). Scottish Natural Heritage. 2010. pp. 127–135. Retrieved 2018-05-14.
  17. ^ "About Birnam Arts". Birnam Arts. Retrieved 2018-05-22.
  18. ^ "Scot claims haggis eating crown". BBC News. 30 August 2008. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
[edit]
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Birnam.
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