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Elsey Cottage is quietly situated in Birnam Glen close to the village of Birnam in the heart of Highland Perthshire.
The accommodation has a pleasant outlook toward birch and oak woodland slopes of Birnam Hill, with Inchewan burn running nearby.
The cottage is built in the traditional Perthshire style dating back to 1888, and is within a conservation area.
It can accommodate up to 6 people. There are 3 rooms, 1 kitchen and 1 bathroom downstairs, 3 bedrooms upstairs.
The dining room opens out into a large secluded garden, which is carpeted with flowers in springtime.
There is a private driveway with space to park 4 cars. It is an ideal place to stay for a relaxing holiday, whilst conveniently placed only ¼ mile away from Birnam and Dunkeld.
Birnam Woods are renowned for their ancient connections with Shakespeare’s Macbeth. The old Birnam Oak can be visited on the river Tay footpath. From the top of Birnam Hill on King’s seat: panoramic views of the hills and mountains of Perthshire and Angus can be enjoyed including that of Dunsinane Hill, or more correctly Dunsinnan Hill.
The village of Birnam is on the south side of the beautiful river Tay, Scotland’s longest river and linked to Dunkeld village on the north side of the river Tay by the famous Dunkeld Bridge.

Facilities Both Birnam and Dunkeld have all the holiday facilities needed including shops, pubs, hotels, cafes, tearooms, restaurants, banks, post offices and tourist information centre.
There is also, a public recreation park, play park, bowling green, tennis courts, swimming pools and a golf course.
Visitor attractions include Dunkeld cathedral, Beatrix Potter garden, the Birnam Oak,
Niel Gow’s Oak, National Trust for Scotland shop, NTS Hermitage waterfalls, Loch of the Lowes osprey visitor centre.
The local countryside is ideal for local walks and picnics with variety of beauty spots to visit, and a network of signposted paths and trails to explore right from the doorstep. Keep your eyes open for the wildlife, flaura and fauna, commonly to be seen Roe Deer, and Fallow deer, red squirrels, stoats, buzzards, woodpeckers, flycatchers, wild orchids and bluebell woods to name but a few.

Activities

Fishing in River Tay and Braan, and Butterstone Loch
Mountain Biking trails in Craigvinean Forest and Griffin Forest
Loch Ordie and Deuchary Hill from Cally Loch car park, through forest paths.
Hill walking on many of the Munros is possible within a day out. Schiehallion, Ben Lawers and Glen Lyon.
Rock Climbing on Polney Crag and Cave Crags at Craig a Barns, superb south facing rock of all grades.

Further a field in Perthshire

The towns and villages of: -
Aberfeldy, Kenmore, Pitlochry, Killiekrankie, Blair Atholl, Kinloch Rannoch, Comrie, St Fillans, Perth.

Wider area of, Stirlingshire, Inverness-shire, Angus and Fife
The towns and villages of: -
Aviemore, Braemar, Stirling, Killin, Aberdour, Arbroath, St.Andrews, Falkland, Anstruther.

Local Area

The local countryside is ideal for short walks to enjoy at leisurely pace with time to picnic and take photographs of all the scenery and wildlife on route. Maps and guidebooks are locally available showing the path networks.
A variety of scenic short walks in under an hour from the back door for all ages and abilities will bring ample rewards. If that is not enough, try a leisurely circular route of 2-3 hours, Birnam-Inver-Hermitage-Rumbling bridge-Tomgarrow-Ladywell-Birnam. Also Fungarth woodland walks from Cally Loch car park, or along the banks of the river Tay.
More energetic still, try Birnam Hill (404 metres) for unrivalled views in all directions.

Perthshire is known as the big tree country, it includes:-
The oldest living tree in Europe- Fortingall Yew estimated at 3000-9000 years old.
One of the tallest trees in Britain – a Douglas Fir at 64.5 metres height.
The widest tree in Britain – a Wellingtonia at 11metres girth.
In autumn the leaves of the trees reach an Autumn Gold crescendo, displaying a riot of colours ranging from blazing red, to bronze and gold. Photographers and artists take note.
The Tay Forest Park offers walks and cycling on waymarked routes and picnics at various sites around Perthshire and is open to the public and mostly free of charge.

Activities

Maps, guidebooks and detailed information for all activities can be obtained locally.

Fishing – The River Tay for salmon and brown trout, the River Braan for brown trout, and Butterstone Loch for rainbow trout. There are many smaller rivers and lochs also available. Permits and detailed information are available locally. 

Golf- Dunkeld & Birnam golf course occupies an elevated and scenic position above the river Tay next to the Loch of the Lowes nature reserve.

Mountain Biking – Extensive waymarked trails and cycle routes in Craig Vinean Forest and Griffin Forest to suit all abilities.

Walking Trails – The Loch Ordie circuit and Deuchary Hill (511 metres) through scenic woodlands and open countryside. The summit of Deuchary hill will be rewarded with a magnificent viewpoint to survey the whole area. The mountains of Schiehallion and Beinn a Ghlo provide a wonderful skyline.

Hill walking – Hill walkers are completely spoilt for choice with Munros and Corbetts that can be completed on a day out from Birnam. Schiehallion, Ben Lawers, Carn Mairg, Beinn a Ghlo, Beinn Udlamain, Bein Dearg, Glas Maol, Driesh, Glas Tullaichan, plus dozens of others.

Rock climbing- on Polney Crag and Cave Crag at Craig a’Barns are less than a mile away.
Offering superb south facing rock, routes of all grades prove popular with visitors and locals alike. For full route descriptions, the guidebook ‘Highland Outcrops’ by the SMC can be obtained locally.

Away days

Train Rides – From Dunkeld & Birnam railway station. Built in Victorian.times, enjoy the marvels of a bygone age, occasionally special steam trains halt here for camera teams to capture train spotting moments through the Strath of Tay to Pitlochry, Blair Atholl or Perth
Beach Days- For a full day out at the beach try, Broughty Ferry, Tentsmuir, St. Andrews, Lunan bay, Aberdour. All have brilliant beaches  albeit a full day out.

How to get there?

Birnam is 15 miles north of Perth. Next to the village of Dunkeld.

By Car
Turn off the A9 follow signs to centre of Birnam
Elsey cottage is 500 metres from the centre of Birnam. Take the single track road opposite Birnam House Hotel. 

By Train
Elsey cottage is only 4 minutes walk from Dunkeld & Birnam railway station.
Take the footpath from outside the station.