Perthshire - Pinecone Point
(near THE HERMITAGE, trail 24 "WALKING ON WHEELS")

In my book, "WALKING ON WHEELS", Trail 24 includes the Hermitage, owned and managed by the National Trust for Scotland and situated at the side of the A9 approximately ½ mile north of the turn off to Dunkeld. By 2009 Pinecone Point had been created and is accessible by a new All Ability path. This is all thanks to Big Tree Country and Forestry Commission Scotland.

Pinecone Point, Dunkeld

Pinecone Point can be accessed from the Hermitage car park or drive a ¼ mile up the forestry track to the quarry car park (NO 008419 for six cars). At this point there is a gate which is usually locked but fortunately there is gap, big enough for the largest scooter. The first time I visited was in May 2009 when I was invited to the opening and my husband and I drove up a forest track to within 20 m of this spectacular view point. On the drive up we had noticed a new-looking path and when we were reassured it was wheel-friendly I just had to try it. I had taken my powered wheelchair which has small front wheels but it was an excellent path with a stable surface. However, there were small patches of fairly steep descents (up to 1:8 & 2 to 3 m long) and I was glad to have my husband with me. On reaching the forest track my husband went back to collect our car leaving me to descend the final ½ mile to the Hermitage car park. Unfortunately I had become disorientated and turned left instead of right and explored more of Craigvinean Forest than planned.

Pinecone Point View

Finally, in August 2009, I and 6 other scooter-using friends met with the Forestry Commission forester and following the new, 1.5 m high posts with the red circles we made it! We were rewarded with a spectacular view of the Big Tree Country.

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