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Written by Robert Clarke - 01 May 2006
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Location notes
The first station north of Perth, on the Highland Main Line, Dunkeld and Birnam is in mid Perthshire, and serves the two villages it is named after. The station is a passing loop, although all passenger trains that call here will stop on platform one, whether they are heading north or south.
Railway type and traffic
Passenger diagrams are First Scotrail 170s on Edinburgh/Glasgow - Inverness duties, both stopping and non stopping, and the Caledonian Sleeper, with an DB Schenker 67 hauling. The East Coast Highland Chieftain is not scheduled to stop and pick up or set down here though I have seen one northbound HST waiting in platform 2 at the station, but this was to await a southbound 170 to come into the station, and clear the section ahead.
Freight is exclusively in the hands of DB Schenker locos, both 66 and 67, and there is a DHL parcels working, always hauled by a 67.
Environment
Located just next to the main A9 road, the station is in a semi sheltered location, though the weather can change without warning. There is a shelter on platform 1 and a canopy as well. The station is well away from the villages it serves, and so you are unlikely to face any trouble. CCTV does cover part of the station.
Road directions
The station car park is straight off the main A9 Perth - Inverness road, and is signposted. When leaving the station, if you are turning right, to head southbound, take care, as the road is a 60mph road, though some vehicles will be doing more than that.

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Dunkeld and Birnam map co-ordinates
Parking
The station has a car park, which is well lit. Space is not a problem, and your car will be safe at all times.
Public transport
First Scotrail serves the station, with trains from Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Inverness.
For bus times, call traveline on 0870 608 2 608, or visit Citylink or Stagecoach Perth

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Amenities
Although the station building is still standing, the station is unmanned; the station building is offices, rented out from Network Rail. Nearest facilities will be in the villages of Birnam, or more likely Dunkeld. Otherwise, you will need to go into Perth (8 miles) or Pitlochry.
Accommodation
Go to the Visit Scotland Website for details. As this is a tourist area, there should be a plentiful supply of accommodation.
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Dunkeld and Birnam

Googly map
Streetmap links
Dunkeld and Birnam general view map
Dunkeld and Birnam close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Dunkeld and Birnam



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Railway Gen Group
scot-rail.co.uk
Photographic notes
The semi sheltered nature does help prevent the sun spoiling pictures. The semaphore signals should tell you when a train is coming. There is also a signal box, fully staffed. The line speed is 55mph, though trains both stopping, and passing through, will be going a bit slower.
Videographers beware, the main A9 road passes next to the station car park, and this is a busy road, so noise levels can be huge.


General views - All photographs © Robert Clarke unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north


Fig 1 - Looking north


Fig 2 - Looking south


Fig 2 - Looking south


Fig 3 - Looking north - © Photo by Marcus Dawson


Fig 3 - Looking north - <i>© Photo by Marcus Dawson</i>


Fig 4 - Looking north - © Photo by Ewan Tait


Fig 4 - Looking north - <i>© Photo by Ewan Tait</i>


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