The Hermitage

The following is from the Historic Environment Scotland Gardens and Designed Landscapes Inventory. For the most up-to-date Inventory entry, please visit the Historic Environment Scotland website:

Location and Setting

The Hermitage is situated on the west bank of the River Braan approximately 0.5 miles (lkm) south-west of its confluence with the River Tay, to the south of the city of Dunkeld. It was designed as part of the designed landscape of Dunkeld House but is considered here as a separate report, since it is now outwith the Dunkeld Estate. The A9(T) separates The Hermitage from Dunkeld today. The afforested slopes of Craigvinean rise to a height of 1,535' (468m) to the north of the site, and to the south, across Strathbraan, Birnam Wood covers the lower slopes of the Obney Hills.

The natural landscape along the riverside is dramatic; the River Braan flows in torrents over waterfalls and cascades, through a deep gorge. The Hermitage was built in this setting to exploit the natural picturesque landscape as part of an 18th century 'sublime' experience. The afforested setting of Strathbraan is such that views can only be gained from the river banks but the sound of water pounding over the Falls of Braan can be heard from the walks which run through the woodland to the north of the river. 'The Hermitage' lies within the Dunkeld National Scenic Area.

The 18th century landscape of The Hermitage was designed as part of the designed landscape of Dunkeld to extend from the River Tay along the River Braan to Rumbling Bridge, a distance of approximately 1 mile (1.5km). It included the woodland known as Hermitage Wood which extended between the western bank of the River Braan and a minor road to Craigvinean Cottage which ran off the main Perth/Aberfeldy road. The woodland given to the National Trust for Scotland extends over 33 acres (13.3ha) along the banks of the River Braan from the present A9(T), in which several miles of woodland walks are incorporated. Ossian's Hall, Hermitage Bridge and Ossian's Cave are significant designed features within the woodland. The designed landscape extends over 71 acres (29ha) today.

Landscape Components

Architectural Features

Ossian's Hall, a single-storey gazebo listed category B, is situated on a precipice above the River Braan. Built in 1758 at a cost of £38, it was extensively remodelled in 1783. The architect of this remodelling is thought to be George Steuart. The elaborate detail of the interior, described in many 18th century accounts, was lost by two phases of vandalism in 1821 and 1869. The fabric of the building was restored by the NTS in 1952 and again in 1986. Ossian's Cave, listed category B, is a carefully constructed folly, formed partly of rock and partly of dry rubble. It is shaped like a hermit's cave and has a round-headed doorway and windows. It lies upstream from Ossian's Hall on the north bank of the River Braan. Hermitage Bridge, listed category A, is a single semi-circular arch bridge which spans the River Braan beneath Ossian's Hall; built c.1785, the architect is thought to be George Steuart.

Woodland

The woodland, planted in the 18th century with exotic species, is now largely mixed conifers of Scots pine, Douglas fir and Norway spruce established on the shallow, rocky soil of the banks of the River Braan. One of the four trees in Britain over 200' in height (1986) is a Douglas fir growing on the right bank of the Braan on Forestry Commission land. It can best be seen from The Hermitage side of the river. A few of the beech trees planted in the early 19th century remain as well as yew, Monkey puzzle and Silver fir. Walks are marked through the woodland along the routes of the original paths shown on the early Ordnance Survey maps.