UKC

Climbs 117
Rocktype Schist
Altitude 178m a.s.l
Faces SW

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Iain Howie on the crux of Twilight. © MightyStew

Crag features

Craig a Barns and Polney Crag offer some accessible one and two-pitch routes covering all grades, in a weather oasis that seems to stay dry even when the rest of Scotland is wet! However, tree cover can make Polney slow to dry and the rock is slippery when damp so care is required after rain.

The outlook is pleasing, making this a popular venue. There are some bolted routes located at the W end of Polney on Myopics Buttress. Dedicated sport climbers should also head to Cave Crag (listed separately).

Safety note: The top of the crag has a fair amount of loose, steep ground and a slip can have (and has had) unfortunate consequences. A popular descent route is to ab down Hairy Gully - provided, of course, that the route is not being climbed. Slings and a maillon will generally be found in place round the most convenient tree at the top of the gully. In winter pine needles can cover many of the holds and ledges on the easier routes.

Note for logbooks: According to the SMC guidebook the Craig a Barns "area" covers three crags: Polney Crag, Lover's Leap and Cave Crags. Cave Crag (sp) is listed separately in the database so we've put the routes on Upper Cave Crag, Lower Cave Crag and Even Lower Cave Crag under that name. Lover's Leap only has a few routes and access is from the same point as Cave Crags, so we've included the Lover's Leap routes under Cave Crag.

Approach notes

Park on the verge at the side of road on the old A9 just outside of Dunkeld, past the old curling pond on the right (56.569030, -3.612098). Polney Crag is five minutes uphill from here. It is advisable to take a little care when crossing the road and manoeuvring in and out of parking spots as the bend in the road below the crag is fairly blind and the road is fairly busy.

I found a copy, in the last week, of SMC Highland outcrops South at Dunkeld which is missing its owner who sadly didn't write their name in it. If it is yours please email me saying which route you left it at the base of and on what day? In which case we can send it to you if you are happy to pay for postage. My email is jbennett20031123@gmail.com
JamesBennettclimbs#1 - 31/May/23
I found a copy, in the last week, of SMC Highland outcrops South at Dunkeld which is missing its owner who sadly didn't write their name in it. If it is yours please email me saying which route you left it at the base of and on what day? In which case we can send it to you if you are happy to pay for postage.
JamesBennettclimbs#1 - 31/May/23
Found a craghopper pullover fleece on the way up to the crag yesterday. Any one know the owner?
Paul Roberts - 29/Aug/15
The Groove (VS 5a) - a candidate for Scotland's best one-pitch VS! Brilliant climb.
nickinscottishmountains - 26/Aug/03
Very fingery, very nice view over Dunkeld.
er - 26/Aug/03
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Climbs at this crag

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