A Winter Guide to Dunkeld & Birnam
It’s the most wonderful time of the year they say. Cosy gatherings in the bar, snowy walks and sledging, festive music nights, delicious winter dishes, pop-up markets, riverside sauna sessions, long boozy Christmas lunches and Hogmanay house parties – what’s not to like? Winter is coming and we have lots of amazing things in stall for you at The Taybank over the festive period. Even when Christmas and New Year have been and gone, there are plenty of things to see and do in the local area that will be sure to keep the January blues at bay.
Dunkeld Candlelit Christmas Shopping Trail
A magical late-night shopping trail around many of the wonderful independent businesses in the village. Wander through the candlelit streets and pop into the decorated shops (often serving mulled drinks and mince pies!) and pick up some unique Christmas gifts for your loved ones. On this date (Friday 8th December) and Saturday the 9th, we will also be hosting The Taybank Winter Weekend.
We’ll have a pop-up winter market on the terrace selling handmade and preloved objects from local makers and Taybank collaborators Dungarthill Walled Garden, Kiln Creative, North Lodge Flowers, Gabriella and more. You’ll find winter wreaths and seasonal flower arrangements, handmade ceramics and other wonderful gifts. We’ll also have some of our own goodies from the Taybank Store on sale including books, British sheepskins, Laura Thomas candles, gift cards and more.
The fire pits will be roaring and your favourite pizzas will be on sale from the Garden Kitchen. Inside the restaurant will be open as usual and we’ll also have live music from Chris Small on Saturday in the bar, plenty of mulled drinks and festive vibes.
Braan Sauna
Our new handcrafted sauna will be open all winter for private sessions and our two weekly community sauna club session. Our vision for Braan Sauna is to keep people calm and connected to nature, friends, family and the local community through winter.
The sauna was designed and handbuilt at home by Fraser, his trusted joiner Tommy, partner Kim and brother Blair and is lined with cedar inside, burnt larch outside and features a powerful HUUM Sauna wood stove. The space fits up to eight people and has large windows overlooking the River Tay, Thomas Telford’s Dunkeld Bridge and the wooded Birnam Hill.
Braan Sauna fits up to 8 people and included in sessions is the use of a 6ft-wide cold water plunge tank, a changing box, a communal fire pit and outdoor seating with lovely riverside views. Sauna gift vouchers are also available here, the perfect Christmas gift!
To learn more and to check availability please go here.
Winter and Festive Menus
Join us for a delicious winter gathering in our restaurant – beautifully dressed for the festive season by Dungarthill Walled Garden and North Lodge Flowers. We have several wonderful winter dishes and festive specials on offer this year. You’ll also be able to sample our new wine list, sip on cocktails or mulled drinks. To view our menus or book a table, please visit our food and drink page.
Christmas Shows at Birnam Arts Institute
Our neighbours Birnam Arts are hosting a number of shows this winter, including a family-friendly Jack and the Beanstock puppet show and pantomime, a winter concert with local musicians Jamie Jauncey, Dave Amos & friends, and a community singing concert with opera Singers Coleen and Katie. We’re very lucky to have this wonderful community-owned venue on our doorstep and hope that you will support it over the winter by booking tickets to one of their shows! Visit the Birnam Arts website to view all listings.
Winter Pub Quizzes
Join us in the downstairs bar on the first Tuesday of the month for a cosy quiz night by the fire. Our Quizmaster Madeleine will test your knowledge over a series of short rounds covering everything from history, science and nature to pop culture, food and travel. The winning team will receive a voucher for a free Braan Sauna session for up to 8 people and your £2 entry fee will be added to our Jackpot, which will be available to win at the end of the season!
Dunkeld & Birnam Santa Day
The famous Dunkeld & Birnam Santa Day is back this year with Santa’s grotto, a community market, a reindeer parade, second-hand toy sales, puppet shows, an elf hunt, live music, carols and lots more. For more info please visit the Facebook page. Afterwards, join us at The Taybank Winter Weekend for our pop-up winter market, pizzas, mulled drinks and giant Christmas trees
Christmas Eve Carols in the Bar
Last year we saw the return of a special tradition—Christmas Eve carols in our cosy downstairs bar. Come along in your best Christmas jumper and join in singing songs with a festive drink by the fire.
Taybank Hogmanay Party
Tickets are now on sale for this year’s Hogmanay Party. After a wonderful sold-out event last year, we’re excited to welcome you back for a wonderful New Year’s Eve celebration featuring live music, a ceilidh, cocktails, canapes and lots of dancing! Permission to dig out your fanciest attire! Book tickets here.
Winter Music Sessions
We have lots of fantastic live music in the bar throughout the winter months. As usual, we will have the wonderful Boat Road Sessions every Wednesday from 7.30pm, our popular Thursday Night Sessions every Thursday from 7.30pm. We also have multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Chris Small on Saturday the 9th of December, Half Shaved Sheep on Boxing Day and many more performances over the festive period. For full listings please visit our events page.
Winter Walks
There are several beautiful walking trails in and around Dunkeld and Birnam. Some of our favourites that take in some wonderful winter scenery include Loch Ordie, Birnam Hill, Pine Cone Point and the Atholl Woods circuit. You can find more inspiration for walks in the area in our local guide.
Skiing at Glenshee
We are just an hour’s drive from Glenshee Ski Centre – Scotland’s largest runs for skiing snowboarding and sledging. Situated in the south of the beautiful Cairngorms National Park, it has runs extending over 3 valleys and 4 mountains and also features Britain’s largest ski lift system, cafes, a shop and plenty of local walks for those who don’t ski.
Burns Night
In January we’ll be hosting our very own Burns Supper featuring a special 4-course menu, a dram to toast, some traditional live music and Scottish dress and of course, we’ll Address to a Haggis! Tickets are now on sale via our online store.