Craig a\' Barns is a densely afforested hill lying immediately to the north of Dunkeld, just off the A9 some 12 miles (20km) to the north of Perth. It is a craggy hillside that contains a number of cliffs which have long been a popular traditional climbing venue. Upper Cave Crag lies deep in the woods towards the right side of the hill. The crag is at its most beautiful during the autumn and this, together with the temperature, makes it a particularly good time for climbing here. Cave Pass is the valley in the middle of the Craig a\' Barns hillside and to the right of this the wooded slopes contain two surprisingly big and compact buttresses of mica schist. These are the Upper and Lower Cave Crags, the upper of which can be seen poking out above the trees whilst the lower is practically hidden below. Lower Cave Crag has in the past featured two short, yet worthwhile sport climbs but the bolts were chopped and the climbs have remained that way ever since. There are some great trad climbs here and this is one venue where many people do bring a rack and combine both trad and sport. As with many Perthshire venues, Dunkeld is blessed with a dry climate and while the rest of the country is being swept by bad weather, the Cave Crags are often basking in the sunshine. The impressive wall of Upper Cave Crag remains dry for much of the year and its overhanging nature provides shelter during periods of rain or light showers. After more prolonged periods of wet weather however, the lower sections begin to weep, rendering the starts near impossible for mere mortals!