The Hermitage (National Trust for Scotland) — Attraction in Great Britain

IMPORTANT POINT TO NOTE: Pushing coins into tree stumps has become a popular thing to do but the National Trust specifically request that you don’t do this since it causes harm to the tree itself (even dead stumps support a huge amount of other life) and also the immediate environment.

We’ve been coming to the area for many years but this place is new to us, coming recommended by a waitress at a restaurant where we took dinner one night.

What a recommendation it was too. A beautiful National Trust managed open space with way-marked walks along the River Braan. There are lots of information boards around which give context to the folly - Ossian’s Hall (built in the 18th century by a previous Duke of Atholl to replace the summerhouse originally in the site). Apparently the first building was designed as a retreat, or hermitage, hence the name, but, despite advertising for a resident hermit, no one took the Duke up on his job offer!

Today the building is popular as a wedding venue, richly decorated inside, as well as a place from where visitors can admire the Black Linn Falls, the roar echoed through the cleverly designed building.

Walks through the forest, following the river, take you through the Hermitage woodland where magnificent Douglas Fir tower over you. When you reach the end of the National Trust forest you can follow other paths through Forestry Commission land to make your walk circular or you can return the way you came, choosing different paths to try and find the totem in the forest or Ossian’s cave - another folly but a fun place to explore, especially with children.

Allegedly, there are red squirrels in the wood but we were with children and dogs…….!

Parking a little limited at the moment (summer 2022) due to Network Rail contractors using a large section of the upper car park so I imagine it can be challenging on busy weekends, but wasn’t a problem for us on a weekday in...

The Hermitage (operated by National Trust Scotland) is one of Scotland's most popular walks, and understandably so! It is a well-designed easy walk along a fast-moving river with rapids and falls, past classic old bridges, and tall established trees (including Douglas Firs). There are also good views further along the walk. The route can be circular, so most of the walk covers new and varied territory.

The Hermitage trail also features two distinctive follies originating in the later 1700s. One is Ossian’s Hall, a small private retreat (hermitage) that overlooks the falls and has an interesting history and design. The other is Ossian's cave, a small above-ground stone enclosure also known as the Hermit's Cave. These follies were created about the time that Scottish poet James Macpherson published poems that he claims originated from a legendary 3rd century poet called Ossian. An Ossianic poem was apparently inscribed inside the cave when it was built, but no longer exists.

Temporary toilets are available at the lower car park during the busy months. The car park has a fee using cash or credit card, but is free for NTS and NT members (the payment machine doesn't seem to provide tickets for members, so we just placed our NT/NTS decal on the...

The hermitage is an excellent day out. I went with my family and we had a great day. We walked up through the hermitage to the rumbling Bridge and back to the car park. The paths are good quality so easily done in trainers if the weather is nice and maybe best with wellies or boots if the weather has been a bit on the wet side.

There is a small cafe (burger van style) at the car park with benches, I was even able to get a tea with soya milk which is a super bonus for all the Vegans!! And lactose intolerant folk of course. They also had a selection of cakes ice cream sausage rolls and I think there may have been burgers or some other food available but I didn't read too much as I often just assume there will be no vegan options.

The walk and scenery are beautiful and I would highly recommend the extra at the end up to the rumbling bridge as the waterfall there is lovely. However the hermitage is not without its own beautiful waterfall and excellent viewing platform although maybe a little small. The route is almost flat and more than short enough for kids of all ages. As it is a forest you are well shaded on hot days.

Well worth a trip. If you take a towel there are also some good places to have a picnic...