Loch Earn & Lochearnhead Accommodation
(Self catering, B&B and Hotels)
About Loch Earn and what to do and see
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Lochearnhead
About 12 miles / 20 minutes from Callander, 15 mile to Crieff, 7 miles to Killin & Loch Tay.
Lochearnhead is delightfuly located at the west end of Lochearn just below the wonderfuly scenic GlenOgle - often referred to as Queen Victoria's Khyber Pass. Made famous by extensive news coverage of the landslide in 2004, the Glen Ogle landscape is now stable once more after lengthy engineering works and the scenery remains as spectacular as it always was.
Lochearnhead is easily accessed from the south and north by the A84 / A85 trunk road from Stirling to Oban and the North. The A85 also provides an easy route to the villages of St Fillans and Comrie, with Crieff and Perth beyond.
Lochearnhead is a good centre for walkers with Ben Vorlich, Stuc a Chroin, Ben More, Stobinian, Cruach Ardrain and the Lawers range within very easy reach. The old rail track up GlenOgle has been surfaced to form a beautiful route for both cyclists and walkers. There is a watersports centre at Lochearnhead where water ski-ing is a popular sport.
Every year the 3 villages Highland Gathering for the area is held in the games field beside the loch around July. Many other Highland Games are held within easy driving distance.
Parking and Public Toilets
At Lochearnhead the toilets and main car park are on the north side of the loch on the A85 Crieff Road about 400 yards from the A84 junction.
Places to visit from Lochearnhead:
Killin 20 mins, Callander 20 mins, Stirling 1 hr, St Fillans 20 mins, Comrie 30 mins, Crieff 45 mins,
Perth 1 hr. Oban and Fort William about 1hr 45m (Times approx from Lochearnhead
Shops in Lochearnhead
Groceries, souvenirs and a Tweedie kind of woollens shop. Pubs/Restaurants
In the Central Highlands, Loch Earn is outstandingly beautiful. Deep and mysterious and fringed by trees, steep hillsides and mountains it is a vision of splendour, especially in the Autumn.
Loch Earn is unusual in that it experiences a 'tide'. This tide not caused by the moon, but by the prevailing wind along the loch which creates a 'slope' on the water along the length of the loch.
This in turn results in a kind of oscillation, with the water slowly 'surging' back an forth along the loch - a periodicity of about 16 hours.
In the middle of the Loch at the St Fillans end is an island, once the home of the Neish clan. They were wiped out in a raid by the McNabs of Killin who carried a boat over the hill in order to attack them in the night. The small remains of the Neish castle may still be seen but are fast crumbling.
A charming little single track road passes along the south side of Loch Earn, passing Edinample Castle, Ardvorlich House - home of the Stewarts of Ardvorlich, and two little engraved 'gravestones' commemorating 2 rather grizzly events from byegone days.
The eastern village is St Fillans where the views to the west are without equal.
(Toilets, snacks and meals, car parks, accommodation)
At the west is Lochearnhead which is convenient for walkers on the abandoned rail trackbed which can be accessed at the old station.
(Toilets, snacks and meals, car parks, accommodation)
Food & Drink at Lochearnhead
Lochearnhead Hotel , Bar & Restaurant
Spectacular views overlooking Loch Earn.
Wonderful views over Loch Earn & surrounding countryside, the Lochearnhead Hotel is a family run hotel with lounge bar, restaurant and resident's lounge.
The bar and restaurant enjoy views over the loch to Edinample and the mountains on the southern shores
Lochearnhead Hotel, Lochearnhead, Perthshire FK19 8PU
Tel: +44(0)1567 830229 fax: +44(0)1567 830364
E-mail: info@lochearnhead-hotel.com
The Clachan Cottage Hotel
Bistro Bar and Public bar on Lochside - Award winning chef will delight the most discerning taste buds.
Tigh na Crich Bed &
Breakfast . Lochearnhead  By Loch Earn, an imposing white stone house built in the 1800's. 3 rooms - a large
four poster room, a double & a twin room all en suite. Lots to do in local area,
fishing, golf, walking, cycling & water sports centre a short walk away. Special winter break-see detailsE-mail: Johntippett2@aol.com Telephone: 01567 830235 |
Lochearnhead Hotel Bar & Restaurant Overlooking Lochearn & countryside, the Lochearnhead Hotel is a
family run hotel with 10 ensuite bedrooms, lounge bar, restaurant
and resident's lounge. In Loch Lomond National Park, ideal to explore central Scotland.tel: +44(0)1567 830229 fax: 01567 830364 email: info@lochearnhead-hotel.com |
The Clachan Cottage Hotel Lochearnhead In the village of Lochearnhead close to Callander in a stunning area of the Scottish Highlands. Lochside location with own jetty. Ensuite bedrooms. Close to watersports & convenient base to explore Scotland Tel: 01567 830247 Fax: 01567 830300 email: enquiries@clachancottagehotel.co.uk |
| Lochearn Guest House Dinner B&B LochearnheadOn the shore of Loch Earn, Lochearn House offers ensuite bedrooms with king size beds, video, T.V and king size showers. Wonderful food cooked by owner chef, in comfortable surroundings. A warm welcome awaits . Matthew & Dianne. Tel: 01567 830380 Email: lochearnhouse@tiscali.co.uk |
More below |
Mansewood Country House Lochearnhead Open Feb - December Mansewood is a family owned Guest House. A warm welcome awaits you from your hosts, Alan and Sharon Clark. The house, in its own gardens, dates back over 250 years and is in some of the prettiest scenery in the Highlands. Tel: 01567 830213. Email see details |
Self-Catering at Loch Earn |
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Balmeanoch Cottage |
Ben Lodge, Lochearnhead |
Briar Cottage Self Catering Lochearnhead Open all year - FREE WiFi A cottage for 4 by a loch - purpose built 'Little Briar Cottage' overlooks loch Earn from a vantage point above 300 year old Briar Cottage. Private jetty, fishing & spectacular views over Loch Earn to the mountains. Water sports. Telephone: 07876 122 505 email: briarinfo@btinternet.com Write: Kim and Fraser Proven Briar Cottage Lochearnhead Perthshire FK19 8PU |
| Lochside Cottages, Loch Earn Lochearnhead These Log Cabin style cottages are located at Lochearnhead on the shore of the loch. They cater for up to 6 persons and have access to a private slipway for launching on the loch. Tel: 01567 830268 or mobile 07711368649 email: gus.dundhu@btinternet.com |
Mansewood. Log Cabin
(for 4) Lochearnhead In the grounds of Mansewood Country House, this log cabin provides comfortable accommodation for 4 persons. Fully equipped & with heating and colour TV this makes an ideal base to explore highland Perthshire & the Trossachs Telephone 01567 830213 Email see details |
Earnknowe self catering
Holidays by Loch Earn by arrangement.
This is a delightful conversion of farm buildings with spectacular views over Loch Earn to the mountains. The cottages & lodge accommodate 2-4 persons and are well equipped to meet all needs for a comfortable self catering holiday. Ideally situated for walking, cycling, fishing, golfing and touring.Tel/Fax : 01567 830238 or 07795076789 Email: enquiries@earnknowe.co.uk |
| The Boathouse Lochearnhead Late availability offers Sleeps 6-8 +cot. The Boathouse is a stunning holiday home surrounded by mountains, lochs, castles, golf courses and villages. It is in a unique position beside the loch, with its own jetty, moorings and fishing rights allowing you to water-ski, fish, sail and canoe from the door. Telephone:- 01877 384331 or 07879 853139 email:- enquiries@coopercottages.com |
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Loch Earn walks
A popular walk is to go up Glen Ogle by the old rail track and viaduct, returning by the old military road which follows the burn down the glen. This walk may be extended beyond the head of the glen by following the track over the brow of the hill to Killin with its falls, island burial ground and visitor centre. (map).
Another walk (for the more energetic) from Loch Earn starts at the Falls at EdinAmple near the castle on the south loch road at the west end. It is a 6 mile walk leading through Glenample to Ardchullarie More by the side of Loch Lubnaig. (Needs transport to collect unless walking return trip).
For the really energetic, one of the tracks to Ben Vorlich starts at Ardvorlich on the south side of the loch.
Another hill walk to Stuc-a-Chroin starts at Edinample falls, leaving GlenAmple at Glanample farm 2 miles up the glen.
These walks should only be undertaken by those experienced in walking Scottish mountains. (weather on tops is unpredictable at times).
Many other walks are available and providing animals are not disturbed and gates are kept closed, landowners do not object to walkers crossing pastures and hillsides.
GlenOgle head and Ben Lawers:
From Lochearnhead. Proceed up GlenOgle, observe the old Oban railway track high up on the left and the old military road near the warefall. After the road levels out and starts to drop, watch out for a picnic area on the right. Park there and walk along the track to see the best view of Ben Lawers - nearly 4000ft of it. Note the memorial to the RAF pilots on your right.
Limited car park area. Seasonal snackbar . No Toilets.
Falls of Leny
From Lochearnhead, drive south and through Strathyre and the Falls and carpark are sign posted about a mile before Kilmahog. Take care crossing as the carpark is on a bad corner. Parts of the footpath by the river are in need of repair so watch your feet!
Lochearnhead's turbulent past
The village has seen much of Scotland's turbulent past. A kilometre along the South Loch Earn road is Edinample Castle, (Edinample Castle in winter) built by 'Black' Duncan Campbell of Glenorchy in 1630. Some three kilometres to the east is Ardvorlich House, home of the Stewarts of Ardvorlich since 1580. Near here is a tombstone for seven Macdonalds of Glencoe who were killed while attempting a raid on Ardvorlich House in 1620. A little further along another stone marks the temporary burial place of James Stewart of Ardvorlich where the funeral party hid his body to avoid its desecration bysome McDonalds bent on revenge the were unable to wreak during his lifetime.
Highland Games
The Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, and Strathyre Highland Games and Gathering celebrated its 200th Anniversary in 2007. The Games are held in Lochearnhead on the second last Saturday of July. Some Events are: the hill race, tr@ck and field events, heavy events like the caber and weight throwinq, piping, pipe bands and highland dancing competitions.
Sheep Shearing
The annual sheep shearing competition, Lochearnhead Shears, was first held in 1993, and became one of the largest sheep shearing competitions in the UK. The event attracts international competitors, who come to attempt to win the "Scottish Blackface Shearing Champion" title. Blackface is the area's main breed, and requires competitors to use particular skills. The competition is in June, and normally culminates in a ceilidh dance.
Legends and folklore
Each Uisge
It is told that a Water Horse, (Gaelic = Each Uisge) , inhabits Loch Earn, having been chased out of Loch Tay and across the hills by Finga|. The creature enticed people to ride on its back, but the rider's hands stuck to its neck, and the unfortunate soul would be dragged under water to drown by the Each Uisge.
The unpredictable currents in Loch Earn may have given a ring of truth to this legend.
Faeries
The hillock in the Games Field, known as Chieftains' Mound or the Shian (an Sitheann), is said to be a fairy knoll. ( Sídhe , sìth or siodhe refers to earthen mounds that were thought to be home to the fairy folk.) In less cynical times, people attuned to the supernatural were said to report green light emanating from it, or to hear the strains of fairy music coming from within. (See: Fairy Knolls in Scotland )
Edinample Castle
Ed1nample Castle has several legends attached to it. The best-known is that 'Black' Duncan Campbell, a man known for his fury and his ornery nature, had asked the architect to build the castle with a parapet, but on discovering that there was not one threw the architect off the roof to his death. His ghost is said to haunt the castle, wandering around the roof where the parapet should have been.
The Trossachs and things to see and do
The Trossachs Homepage The Trossachs Scotland
The Trossachs - the place to be in the Loch Lomond National Park
Loch Earn and Lochearnhead for hills and hospitality