Birnam Oak

This magnificent, sessile oak, seven metres in girth and believed to be 500 years old, is famous as one of the last remnants of historic Birnam Wood, featured in Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’:

"Macbeth shall never vanquish'd be until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him." (William Shakespeare).

Birnam Oak is easily accessible on the outskirts of Birnam village, where you will also find the lovely Beatrix Potter garden, and Birnam Arts Centre.

The iconic oak stands on the south bank of the River Tay, among other remarkable trees including its ancient neighbour, the Birnam Sycamore. A waymarked route leads you through this majestic woodland, along an attractive stretch of the river.

The tree’s large spreading branches rest on wooden supports, in order to support their significant weight. The trunk of the oak is hollow, revealing traces of fire, and yet this stalwart survivor still thrives.