Forests & woodlands · Central Scotland
Birnam Oak
In or near Bankfoot.
The Birnam Oak is an example of Sessile oak (Quercus petraea) at Birnam, Perth and Kinross, Scotland (grid reference NO032421). Sometimes known as Macbeth's Oak, as it is a relic of Birnam Wood, menti
Richard Webb — CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 1 h–3 h
- Nearest railway station
- Dunkeld and Birnam · 0.5 km
- Free entry
- Family-friendly
- Dog-friendly
Getting there & planning your visit
To visit the Birnam Oak, you can take the train to Dunkeld and Birnam station, which is 0.5 km away. The postcode for the area is PH8 0BL. Entry to the site is free.
About
The Birnam Oak is an example of Sessile oak (Quercus petraea) at Birnam, Perth and Kinross, Scotland (grid reference NO032421). Sometimes known as Macbeth's Oak, as it is a relic of Birnam Wood, mentioned in William Shakespeare's play Macbeth, the tree is found in a strip of woodland on the south bank of the River Tay. The trunk is 5.5 metres (18 ft) wide and its large spreading branches have latterly been supported on a number of struts to prevent them from collapsing under their own weight. The exact age is unknown, but the girth suggests an age of around 600 years old which would mean it was already a mature tree at the time of Shakespeare's presumed visit to Perthshire in 1589. The tree is listed by Forestry and Land Scotland as one of Scotland's most famous oak trees.
Photo gallery
Official information
Birnam Oak is a historically significant tree associated with various events, including references in Shakespeare's Macbeth. Visitors can explore its rich history and the surrounding area, which is steeped in local lore.
From the Wikipedia article
The Birnam Oak is an example of Sessile oak (Quercus petraea) at Birnam, Perth and Kinross, Scotland (grid reference NO032421). Sometimes known as Macbeth's Oak, as it is a relic of Birnam Wood, mentioned in William Shakespeare's play Macbeth, the tree is found in a strip of woodland on the south bank of the River Tay. The trunk is 5.5 metres (18 ft) wide and its large spreading branches have latterly been supported on a number of struts to prevent them from collapsing under their own weight. The exact age is unknown, but the girth suggests an age of around 600 years old which would mean it was already a mature tree at the time of Shakespeare's presumed visit to Perthshire in 1589. The tree is listed by Forestry and Land Scotland as one of Scotland's most famous oak trees.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
- Coordinates
- 56.5609, -3.5766
- District
- Perth and Kinross
- Postcode
- PH8 0BL
- Parliamentary constituency
- Angus and Perthshire Glens
- Nearest railway station
- Dunkeld and Birnam — 0.5 km
- Official site
- www.historicdunkeld.org.uk
Sources
- wikipedia: Birnam Oak (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Other places nearby
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is Birnam Oak?
- Birnam Oak is in the Scottish Highlands, United Kingdom (postcode PH8 0BL).
- What is Birnam Oak?
- The Birnam Oak is an example of Sessile oak (Quercus petraea) at Birnam, Perth and Kinross, Scotland (grid reference NO032421). Sometimes known as Macbeth's Oak, as it is a relic of Birnam Wood, menti
- How do I get to Birnam Oak?
- The nearest railway station is Dunkeld and Birnam, about 0.5 km away. Drivers can use postcode PH8 0BL.
- Is Birnam Oak free to visit?
- Yes, Birnam Oak is free to enter.
- How do I get to Birnam Oak?
- The nearest railway station is Dunkeld and Birnam, about 0.5 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode PH8 0BL.