Killin
Just a little further along from the western end of Loch Tay you will come across the village of Killin. It lies across an old narrow bridge made of stone which spans the River Dochart. The village then extends for approximately half a mile on either side of the road that the bridge carries to it. You can be forgiven for wondering why the town is located where it is, set apart from the Loch in this way but when you see the stunning Falls of Dochart which propel the river through the village you can understand the attraction of the location. The railway once came here and where the tracks once ran there is nothing more than a walking track, that will take you along to the where the pier that gave access to where the ferry once stood.
A Beautiful Place
This little village has everything you want from an idyllic Scottish location, there are the ruins of Finlarig Castle still watching over this sleepy little village from their wooded mound. Close by are more ruins, this time of an old chapel that was once a mausoleum. While these ruins are beautiful to look at it would be wise not to go exploring there as the ruins are not as stable as you may like. As with many waterside towns and villages in this part of Scotland hydro electricity is generated here from the waters that gush down the mountains and into the river, making good use of such a plentiful natural resource. The bridge across the Rover Dochart offers stunning views across the falls, and from the bridge you can also gain access to an ancient burial ground which marked the final resting place of the Clan McNab. Though the gates to the burial ground are kept locked, on the gates you will find instructions of how to gain access.
Around the Area
As you walk the length of the main street you can’t fail to notice the outline of the hills, and your eye will be drawn to the rugged, knobbled ridge that looms over the village. The ridge is known as the Tarmachan Ridge and offers the village some shelter from the winds. Despite Killin only being a small village it has everything that you could need from shops and places to eat to clothing for those keen on getting the most from the great outdoors. Killin is on the route of the Rob Roy Way and is a popular stopping off point for walkers following the seventy nine mile walking trail. The village has two churches, one of which dates back to 1744 though the font that stands within the church is believed to be many centuries older, almost as old as the days of early Christianity in this part of Scotland. Despite all of its amenities the village does not boats its own petrol filling station, so bear in mind that you need to fill up at the services a couple of miles to the south of the village.
