Quarrymill Woodland Park, Perth
| Distance | Approximate Time | Height Gain | OS Map |
| 1.5 kms | 00:30 (hrs:mins) | 40 metres | Explorer 369: Perth & Kinross |
Description
The wooded valley at Quarrymill has three lovely waymarked walks, a wealth of natural attractions and many wheelchair accessible facilities. All walks (Pine Tree 1.5km, Millstone 750 metres and Mill Pond 1.2km) start from the car park and have waymarkers along the route. Both the Millstone and Mill Pond routes are suitable for wheelchair users and also have viewing platforms and picnic areas.
In days gone by this spot was a busier, noisier and more industrious place. As the name suggests, stone was quarried here to provide building material for local houses. Watermills were erected to harness the force of the running water from the Annaty Burn and so grind bone meal, spin cotton and extract starch from potatoes.
Today, the millpond is home to mallards, moorhen and tufted ducks feasting on the ample supply of Canadian pondweed available all year round. Dippers live along the edge of the burn, so called because of their characteristic bobbing motion as they bounce in search of water insects that live under the stones. Bluebells carpet the woodland floor beneath the old beech trees and red squirrels make good use of the cones from the Scots pines. The trees were planted in the 1930's by eminent local businessman and philanthropist Arthur Kinmond Bell of Bell's Whisky fame.
For those wishing a slightly longer walk, the path through Quarrymill leads to the suburb of Scone and Scone Old Parish Church. In the churchyard stands a monument to botanist David Douglas (1799 -1834). Douglas was born in Scone and became one of the greatest plant hunters and explorers of America's northwest. He introduced more than 200 new plants to Britain, including some of the most important trees in our countryside and many commonly grown garden plants. Tragically he died young, gored to death by a wild bull in Hawaii.
Access Info
Quarrymill Woodland Park lies on the A93 (Perth to Blairgowrie Road) just south of Scone Palace on the east side of the River Tay opposite Perth. Car park easily accessible from A93.
Additional Info
Staff at Perth Tourist Information Centre can provide further details of the Quarrymill walks. The coffee shop near the car park is operated by MacMillan Cancer Relief and is open from May to September.
Scone Palace is within 2 minutes drive of Quarrymill Woodland Park and offers a superb day out for all the family - see the crowning place of Scottish Kings and the site of the Stone of Scone, collections of furniture and fine art, glorious gardens, restaurant, shop and play area. Open Easter to October.
Free Big Tree Country Guide available from any Perthshire Tourist Information Centre. Packed with information on walking, cycling and wildlife watching at over 65 woodland and countryside sites, this is the ideal companion to help you explore Perthshire's great outdoors. See also www.perthshirebigtreecountry.co.uk
