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Below the peaks of Creag na Caillich, the Tarmachan Ridge and Ben Lawers lies the picturesque highland village of Killin on the famous Dochart Falls. Killin has a wealth of serviced and self catering accommodation and is close to Loch Tay in the midst of spectacular scenery.

Killin is a delightful highland village at the west end of Loch Tay in west Perthshire. It is situated beside the river Dochart close to its junction with the River Lochay and just a few hundred yards from the point at which it enters loch Tay and loses its identity to the Tay, Scotlands longest river.

Killin has been the home of many ancient celtic tribes, saints and clans who have all left their mark on the village and its surroundings. Very little is known of the earliest inhabitants, but they haver left their mark in the form of cup and ring marked stones, stone axes at the Creag-na-Caillach axe factory, and crannogs - stilted dwellings in the loch.

Killin is the largest and oldest of the many settlements in Breadalbane - 'Braghaid Albainn' - the High Country of Scotland. The name of the village comes from its association with the legendary Celtic Hero Fingal who, it is thought was buried here - 'Cill Fhinn' meaning the burial place of Fingal.

The river Dochart at Killin crosses a ridge of hard rock to form the famed and spectacular Falls of Dochart, with a row of restored cottages on the south side and the Breadalbane Folklore Centre on the north. The celtic saint 'St Fillan' is reputed to have been the keeper of some the famous 'healing stones' which are now kept in the Breadalbane Folklore Centre located in the old mill close to the falls. The Kilin folklore centre contains an exhibition telling the story of the famous Clan MacNab who once owned these lands and whos burial ground may be visited on the island of 'Innis Buidhe' which can be accessed from the bridge.

Killin Outdoor, Canoe hire & Activities Shop Our Killin outdoor activities shop is ideally situated to provide all you require for your outdoor holiday in the mountains, glens and rivers in this highland playground. Local route advice and activity information available, just come in the shop and ask the staff who all have a good local knowledge and participate in different activities. The area is loved by walkers and climbers - you only have to look around to see why. Killin is surrounded by some of the best mountain scenery in Scotland.

The Killin Hotel Reflect a while upon the gleam, The beauty of Glen Lochay's stream And then in blissful comfort sleep, But somewhile from a window peep Convince yourself - it is no dream!

The Studio Killin, Fine Arts and Crafts and Quality Gifts ---- Many Original Oil Paintings by the Wonderful Daniel Campbel l-- Alex Summers --- David Kerr-and many more Scottish Artists -- Wood Turning by Mike Pool and individualy Hand Crafted Silver Jewellery by Dennis Holinghurst --- Plus much much more. Laurel Bank, Main Street, Killin, FK21 8UW. Tel: 01567 820820

See the Loch Tay page for places and stories around the loch

Inchbui burial ground at Killin

Halfway over the bridge at the Falls of Dochart a gate in the bridge wall gives access to Inchbui (G. 'Yellow Island') which is the burial place of the Clan MacNab of Killin. A stone enclosure some way down the island is the last resting place of generations of the Clan MacNab chiefs. A stone head above each end wall stands guard over the occupants of the enclosure and in the dozens of graves - most unmarked - around the enclosure lie the now constant companions to their chiefs. Kinnell House, the one time home of the clan chief before hard times forced its sale, stands near the island on the south shore.

Killin's Mountains

The Tarmachan Ridge, Ben Ghlass, Ben Lawers and at least five more Munros (mountains over 3000 feet) lie in the mountain range to the north of Killin. The mountain names are all derived from the Gaelic - Tarmachan = Tarmigan, Ben Ghlass = Grassy or green mountain, Ben Lawers = Mountain of the loud waters. They are the remains of an ancient mountain range which at one time stretched from North America, via Scotland to Scandanavia. Ben Lawers is part of a nature reserve which is famous for its variety of mountain or 'Alpine' plants. They include Purple Saxafrage which is now very evident with its eye catching flowers on moist sunny ledges. Alpine Lady's Mantle covers vast swathes of the mountainside with a yellow carpet when in bloom.

The two most popular mountain walks, Tarmachan ridge and Ben Lawers, start from the Ben Lawers Centre car park at 1400 feet above sea level - a head start if this is to be your first Munro!

See Hillwalking in Scotland page

Killin Shops

A visitor to Killin will find a variety of shops:Co

• Grocery stores
• Gift and craft shops
• Newsagent
• Restaurants
• Antique shops
• Excellent outdoor sports shop also renting canoes and bikes (just beyond the Co-op)
• Part time chippie in a caravan near the McLaren Centre

One or two good pubs with regular live entertainment.

Killin Hotel Accommodation, Bed & Breakfast, self catering & Restaurants
Killin village has cottages, Hotels, B&Bs and Guest houses. There are caravan sites at 'Maragowan', Clachan (and Cruachan on the Aberfeldy road). YHA hostel is near the caravan site at the east end of town. Camp sites are on the Aberfeldy road at: High Creagan (GRNN595353), Milton Morenish (NN618356) and Cruachan (NN612358)	Ben Lawers Hotel, Loch Tay ..............DETAILS Dramatic scenery along the lochside in the tranquil village of Lawers, at the foot of the Lawers range of mountains. Friendly and relaxed yet efficient and professional. Excellent food, comfortable en-suite rooms (with TV, tea/coffee/hot chocolate/local biscuits), great bar and restaurant. Excellent reputation for food. Real ales. Children and Pets welcome. Perfect central location Tel: 01567 820436   Email: mail@benlawershotel.co.uk
Greenacre Chalet near Killin Loch Tayside, Perthshire Self-catering.......DETAILS Self-catering chalet sleeps 4. Double bedroom with walk in shower Lounge/second double bedroom, en-suite Full central heating and double-glazing Private garden and barbeque area, beside pond Wheel chair access Car parking. Excellent location overlooking loch Tay. Convenient for mountains and touring Tel: 01567 820466 or  Mobile: 07814666253 . Email: richardshand@onetel.com	Killin Highland Log Cabins, Aberfeldy Rd Killin ......Self-catering...... DETAILS Situated near Killin and Loch Tay in beautiful woodland, these excellent lodges are ideally placed to enjoy a variety of activities,e.g.walking, fishing and golfing. Large and small lodges available. New (April 2006) detached four bedroom lodge with gas central heating is now available. Tel 08 456 444 866 Email:  info@killinhighlandlodges.co.uk
Ben More Lodge Hotel Crianlarich, GlenDochart........DETAILS Set near the foot of one of Scotland's largest peaks, Ben More Lodge Hotel offers modern facilities in a refreshing Highland environment. The hotel & restaurant is family run and backs on to the River Fillan, a tributary of the River Tay. Crianlarich, Perthshire, Scotland FK20 8QS Tel +44 (0) 1838 300210 .. Fax +44 (0) 1838 300218 Email info@ben-more.co.uk	The Killin Hotel,  Killin, Loch Tay, Perthshire ................DETAILS Killin Hotel is set by one of the most beautiful rivers in Perthshire and very conveniently located in the southern Highlands with much to see and do. 30 Well Appointed Rooms (all En Suite) - Two Elegant Four Poster Rooms. Banquet facilities. Cocktail bar. Public Bar 'Village Pub' with Sky Sport and pool table Tel: 01567 820 296 Email: mail@killin-hotel.com
To advertise here, contact ali@incallanderXXX.co.uk (remove the XXX )

Old Lawers Village and the Lady of Lawers

Read about this fascinating abandoned village and the prophesies of the Lady of Lawers

Killin Walks and Walking

The outdoor activities centre at the bottom end of the village just past the Co-op has a great selection of outdoor equipment to buy or rent. You can hire a bike here or even a kayak to try in the river Lochay here at Killin
Killin Outdoor Centre and Mountain Shop
Killin Outdoor Centre and Mountain shop. Outdoor equipment and clothing ... local advise freely given.

The walks around Killin cater for a range of abilities, from level lochside rambles to the more energetic half day struggles of Ben Lawers and Ben More. The walks are fully described in the Killin walks page.

The Clan Campbell

Clan Campbell is one of the most ancient clans of Scotland, it's origins being in Clan Alpin, named after Kenneth MacAlpin who was the first ancient king of the early united Scotland. He was crowned at the ancient hillfort of 'Dunnadd' south of Oban on the road to LochGilphead.
The Campbells were a powerful Clan with a burning desire to expand their lands, indeed the ambition of the 16c Black Duncan Campbell of the cowl was to be able to travel on his own lands from the east to the west coast of Scotland. It was an ambition he achieved to the cost of many of his neighbours. The Campbells acquired their lands mainly through guile and legal process, largely with the support of some of Scotlands Stewart kings. It was the Campbells based here in Killin at Finlarig who hounded the MacGregors, the McEwans and many other unfortunate clans to the verge of extinction.

The Campbells were also great castle builders, owning at one stage castles spread over the full width of Scotland, included were: Dunstafnage and Barcaldine near Oban, Kilchurn on Loch Awe, Lock Dochart Castle, Finlarig at Killin, Ardeonaig castle on Loch Tay and Balloch castle (later known as Taymouth) at Kenmore.

Latterly the Campbell fortunes faded and their empire diminished. The final resting place of the last of the Campbells is at Finlarig castle near Killin where even their Mausoleum has collapsed

Breadalbane - Campbell Country

The name Breadalbane refers mainly to the lands owned by the Campbells from Oban to Aberfeldy. The Name Breadalbane derives from the old celtic words signifying "high Albane" or "the high part of Scotland in the kingdom of Albany". The area is steeped in history, much of it recorded in ancient records, much recorded in ancient pictish carvings and before that, evidence of early occupation lies in 'cup and ring' markings which are found carved in the rocks all over Breadalbane. For those wishing to read more of Breadalbane, copies of a book named "in Famed Breadalbane", written by James Gillies, a parish minister in the early 20th can be found in public libraries in Killin, Callander and Stirling.

Castles of Breadalbane

Barcaldine

Barcaldine, the "Black Castle" of Benderloch is one of the few mediaeval castles in Scotland which is still habitable and which appears practically unchanged. Throughout its 400 year existence, Barcaldine has been a military outpost, a dwelling house, a ruin and now, in the 21st century, a place of interest for visitors to the area to enjoy.

Barcaldine owes its position to a design for defence. The builder was Sir Duncan Campbell, seventh Knight of Glenorchy, known to this day as Black Duncan of the Cowl. In Argyll, where turbulence and lawlessness had followed the break-up of the Lordship of the Isles, the hierarchy abolished by James IV in 1493. It was during this period of lawlessness that Sir Duncan Campbell came to power. He was a very vigorous and forceful character with ambition.

Sir Duncan’s lands stretched from Barcaldine in the west past Killin to Taymouth Castle on Loch Tay in the east. Not surprisingly, such a wide distribution of property was extremely difficult to control and protect. To this end, Sir Duncan built a string of seven castles. Kilchurn Castle on Loch Awe was repaired, as was Taymouth Castle, formally known as Balloch at the east end of Loch Tay. Edinample Castle at the west end of Loch Earn, Achallader at the head of Glenorchy, Finlarig ( Killin ) at the west end of Loch Tay and the island Castle on Loch Dochart made up the rest. The building of Barcaldine, derived from the Gaelic "Ban a challtuin" meaning hazel knoll, was begun between 1591 and 1601. Its construction was recorded in the "Black Book of Taymouth", one of the most informative books of the period Black Duncan installed his third son, John of Auchinryre, to look after the newly erected castle.

Barcaldine Castle is built on the "L" plan with the smaller wing on the south side projecting to the west beyond the end part of the main wall of the castle. This projection enabled the main wall to be protected and covered with small arms. The walls are approximately 9 feet thick, thus allowing the stair passage inside them, and rise to approximately 32 feet.

 

Kilchurn Castle 

Facts:

Edinample

To see Edinample castle, take the unclassified South Lochearn road at the old church just south of Lochearnhead. About 800 yards down this road you will see the rear of Edinample. Edinample castle is privately owned and is not open to the public.
For a more picturesque view, return to the main road, turn right to Locheamhead, right again and drive 800 yds down the north side of Lochearn. You can now see Edinample across the loch

 

Some facts

 

Loch Dochart Castle

The castle is inaccessible on an island). If you want to see it, it is 6 miles to the west of Lix Toll neat Killin. Just past Benmore farm, Loch Dochart Castle is on a wooded island on loch Dochart on the right.

Facts:

Finlarig (Killin)

Drive east through Killin, and 400 yds past the Killin hotel you will see a bridge on the right just before the caravan site . Cross the bridge and in 250 yds, on the left, you'll see a wooded knoll. The Castle is on the knoll. The picture shows the castle atop its small hill now surrounded by trees.

Finlarig was built in the early 1600s  by Black Duncan of GlenOrchy, probably the most feared of the acquisitious Campbell clan. He also built a chapel where the ruins of the mausoleum stand to the east of the castle on the mound.
The mausoleum was built by the Campbells ( of Breadalbane) in the early 1800s.

If you walk up to the castle, then face towards the mausoleum ruins, you'll see two gravestones side by side to the left. These stones mark the resting place of the Marquis and Marchioness of Breadalbane - the last of the Campbell line and descendants of Black Duncan - who built this castle and the first mausoleum (also in ruins) behind the graves. (Don't miss the beheading pit to the north side of the castle - grizzly!)
The beheading stone which was here for many years is reputed to have found a new home in a garden in Killin

Take care these ruins are dangerous

 

Comrie Castle

Driving east from Coshieville, after about 2 miles, take the next on the right over a little bridge and is on your left over the bridge.

This castle is in a private garden.

Facts:

 

Castle Menzies  

Three miles east of Coshieville, one mile west of Aberfeldy and on the north side of the road, you will see the castle across the field.

Facts:-

All of the castles listed lie within easy travelling distance of Killin and can be conveniently visited within one day if Barcaldine is exclude.

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Killin - in the highlands of Perthshire