Perthshire Travel Guide

Welcome to the Ad-free Guide to the Perthshire Highlands

Loch Tay and Area
Killin \| Loch Tay South \| Kenmore \| Loch Tay North \| Munros \| Practicalities
OS Landranger Sheet 51

Snow

Looking west from Ben Lawers

Loch Tay

Ben More and Stob Binnein beyond Loch Tay

Area Map

Loch Tay is an impressive lump of water - one of the largest lochs in Scotland. At 25km (16 miles) long and with a surface of 26.4 square km it is the sixth largest by area in the UK. It has a maximum depth of 154m (508ft) making it the sixth deepest UK body of water. Combined with an average depth of 60.6m (third) it becomes the fourth biggest lump of water in Great Britain, fifth in the British Isles (behind Lochs Ness, Lomond and Morar, and Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland). It forms part of the River Tay, the longest in Scotland and the biggest river by volume in the British Isles.

The area to the north is bristling with Munro's and is a mecca for Munroists, naturalists and those just wanting a good view, of which there are plenty. To the south is a vast area of psuedo-wilderness. A land of eagles, ospreys and kites, curlews and grouse, red deer and moutain hares, hephalumps and woozles, pine martens and weasels. And sheep! A lack of Munro's lends to it a remoteness that is a joy to experience.

Street Map of Killin

Killin
Killin is a pretty village, situated at the head of Loch Tay and between the rivers Dochart and Lochay. There is some confusion about the origin of its name. One suggestion is that it comes from gaelic meaning 'white church'. A more likely possibilty is that it is a combine of two gaelic words Cill Fhinn (silent fh) - burial place of Fingal whose grave is marked, allegedly, by a stone at the foot of Sron a' Chlachain. In pronunciation, the emphasis is on the second syllable (Kill'in) and that helps to make it sound less grizzly than might at first be imagined. It is ideally located for exploring Loch Tay and Ben Lawers. There are a number of everyday facilities in the village, including (would you believe) a bank! Stop Press! This is 2021, it was too good to be true. The ex-bank is now another empty building. But there is a Post Office, chemist, outdoor centre and small range of other shops. There is free parking at the car park in Station Road (by the BEAR depot), at the McLaren Hall and at another car park in the region of the Capercaillie restuarant (vehicle charging point)

Dochart Viaduct

Dochart Viaduct, Killin

Finlarig Castle

Finlarig Castle

Tarmachan Ridge Killin

Tarmachan Ridge above Killin

Killin Mill

Breadalbane Folklore Centre, Killin

Attraction	Location	Parking	Parking Charges	Admission
Falls of Dochart	South end of village	Car Park Roadside	Free	N/A
This is the infant River Tay under one of its pseudonyms. The falls are wide and impressive, especially after heavy rain. Naturally! Have refreshments at the pub, walk across the bridge to the gift shop and Folklore Centre. Take pictures. Don't get run over!
Breadalbane Folklore Centre	By Dochart Bridge	Car park	Free	Free but donations warmly accepted
Museum and shop in the old mill by Dochart Bridge, which dates from around 1840. Run entirely by volunteers. Home of St. Fillan's healing stones. Handle them, if you dare!
Dochart Railway Viaduct	Behind Lyon Road	Car Park	Free	N/A
Very early example of the use of concrete in railway construction. This is the second oldest concrete railway bridge in Britain, the oldest being at the Falls of Cruachan and also constructed by the Callandar and Oban Railway. The arches are formed of concrete and faced with stone to give a more traditional appearance. An information board provides further details
Kinnell Stone Circle	Kinnell Estate	Car Park	Free	Private estate. Be courteous
Doesn't quite match the splendour of Stonehenge, but it is a complete circle and if ancient artefacts are your thing, then it's worth a visit. In fact the whole Tay area is bristling with evidence of a long and populous habitation - standing stones, hut circles, forts, cup and ring-marked stones, crosses - a good map and some stout boots...
Walk	To the head of Loch Tay	Car Park	Free	N/A
Head north on the old railway line, cross the Lochay Bridge and then either turn right through a gate and go directly to the loch, or continue on and return via the loch in a circular route. Easy, flat walk and the green sward provides an ideal spot for picnicking
Walk	Sron a' Clachain and Creag Bhuidhe	Car Park	Free	N/A
Short but steep and strenuous walk up to the cairn at 510m. The path starts to the rear of the McLaren Hall and passes Fingal's stone. Great views of Killin and Loch Tay. Well worth the sweat and aching legs
Boat Hire	Next to Killin Hotel	Hotel Car Park	Free	See current price list
Various water-craft for use on River Lochay and out into the loch

Top

South Loch Tay Road
The road from Killin to Kenmore that runs along the southern shore of Loch Tay is a lumpy single track affair that provides panoramic views of the Ben Lawers range. It is a designated pedestrian and cycling friendly road, being part of Route 7 of the national cycling network. It has a completely different personality to the main road along the north side.

Loch Tay from the South Shore

Loch Tay from the South Shore

Ben Chonzie

Ben Chonzie

Ben Lawers

Ben Lawers and Meall Greigh

Copper Mine

Verdigris inside the Tomnadashan Mine

Attraction	Location	Parking	Parking Charges	Admission
Walks	Ardeonaig	Difficult. Be considerate.	N/A	N/A
Footpaths to Loch Lednock and Comrie. Signposted, but be prepared for an arduous day out in remote countryside. It is also possible to pick up the Rob Roy Way back to Killin or across to Glen Ogle
Tomna-dashan Copper Mine	Before Ardtalnaig	Difficult. Be considerate.	N/A	N/A
Beware the Killer Rabbit of Caerbannog! John Campbell, 2nd Marquess of Breadalbane thought he could mine copper here. He tried hard but ultimately it was a vanity project. He even built an acid works and smelter - remains of which can be seen. The workings have subsequently found fame as a location for the Monty Python film The Holy Grail
Walks	Ardtalnaig	Small parking area. Be considerate	N/A	N/A
Various longer-distance, self-navigated walks into Glen Almond (through to Sma' Glen, if you're keen), across to Loch Lednock and up to the Shee of Ardtalnaig. Alternative route for Ben Chonzie (munro). For a grand view of the entire Loch Tay, walk up to the trig point on Beinn Bhreac (716m, 2349ft). This hill can also be accessed from the Falls of Acharn track. Or start one end and get the better half to collect you at the further end
Falls of Acharn and Hermitage	Acharn	Opposite Acharn stores	N/A	N/A
Impressive waterfalls and hermit caves. Walk up to the falls, explore the gloom of the 'caves', imagine being employed as a hermit! Cross the footbridge and return down the other side into the village
The Crannog Centre	Between Acharn and Kenmore	Car park at Taymouth Marina	Free	Admission charges apply
A crannog is an island retreat used in the days of yore as a place of security. There are (or were) 18 of these in the loch. Many are now submerged. This one has been reconstructed to give an idea of how people might have lived back then
Kenmore Hill	Road to Glen Quaich from Kenmore	Car Park	Free	N/A
Waymarked walks that range from 30 to 90 minutes in duration. Great views of Kenmore and Loch Tay. NB The road out of Kenmore is steep, twisting and narrow, not treated in winter and not for drivers of a nervous disposition. It goes very high

Top

Kenmore

Kenmore is the service village for Taymouth Castle and is a very attractive holiday destination with a great range of facilities and attractions for such a small place. The castle itself is not ancient, has had a chequered history, and is not open to the public. There's a cafe at the boat centre. The Kenmore Hotel lays claim to being the oldest in Scotland. There is also a range of activities at the Mains of Taymouth

Kenmore Black Rock

Kenmore from Black Rock

Kenmore Bridge

Kenmore Bridge and Ben Lawers

Joshua Tree

On Kenmore Hill

Scottish Crannog Centre

The Crannog Centre

Kenmore Beinn Bhreac

Kenmore with Carn Liath in the Distance

Falls of Acharn

The Falls of Acharn

Attraction	Location	Parking	Parking Charges	Admission
Beach	Next to main road	Car park Layby Along the road	Car park is Pay & Display and height-restricted	N/A
Safe bathing in the clean, but usually very cold, waters of Tay. Great place to relax, have a barbecue and enjoy the Scottish sunshine
Harbour	Kenmore	Car Park or elsewhere	Pay & Display	Various
Boat hire, marina facilities, cafe. Loch Tay Safari - high speed thrash halfway along the loch in an encabined RIB. Occasional pauses for commentry. Thrashing down lochs doesn't come cheap...
Historical Note: The Loch Tay Steamboat Co. was founded in 1882 by Gavin, Third Marquis of Breadalbane, so that his tenants would have access to the railway at Killin, he being a director of the Caledonian Railway Co. The service linked Kenmore with Acharn, Fearnan, Ardtalnaig, Lawers, Ardeonaig and Killin Pier. Four boats were used at various times and were: Lady of the Lake - 223 passengers - scrapped Kenmore 1929 Sybilla and Carlotta - wooden vessels for passengers and cargo - scuttled and scrapped respectively at Kenmore, 1925 Queen of the Lake (1907) - 500 passengers - decommissioned 1939, scrapped Kenmore 1950
Walks	Kenmore Bridge	Car Park or elsewhere	Pay & Display	N/A
Flat and gently undulating walks on either side of the River Tay, starting from the road bridge on the A827. The south side enters the castle grounds. On the north, look out for Maxwell's Tower which is one of the Kenmore Follies
Kenmore Follies	Around the Taymouth estate	Car Park or elsewhere	Pay & Display	N/A
See if you can find them all: The Fort The Octagon Maxwell's Tower The Star Seat Ladies Mount Temple of Apollo Temple of Venus Temple of Aeolus The Chinese Bridge, originally built of wood but rebuilt in the 19th century in cast iron
Walk	Drummond Hill (signposted)	Forestry car park	Free	N/A
Uphill walk through the trees to Black Rock. Great view back over Kenmore. Car park is half a mile off the main road, towards Coshieville

Top

North Loch Tay Road - A827 to Killin

The A827 provides for a scenic drive to Killin. Initially it hugs the lochside, but after passing Fearnan, takes to higher ground and gives the panoramic views that might be expected. However be aware that the road is not as grand as it sounds from it's classification. It allows for two-way traffic for most of its length but it is noticeably narrow with frequent pinch-points. You will always need to slow for lorries and other large vehicles coming towards you. Be very afraid of the motorhomer, nervously weaving his or her way down the centre of the road, having never before piloted anything larger than a mini! But then you won't want to be going fast anyway, or adding to the copious collection of broken wing mirrors that scatter the verges! Enjoy the views but do keep your eye on the road!

Glen Lochay

Glen Lochay

Attraction	Location	Parking	Parking Charges	Admission
Picnic Area	Dalerb	Forestry car park (locked overnight)	Pay & Display	N/A
Adjacent to Kenmore's erstwhile steamer pier. There's nowhere to walk but it's a nice spot to paddle in the loch, and to make use of the barbecue facilities
Fearnan
Apart from its beautiful situate, there is little to detain you at Fearnan these days. The hotel has gone, the steamer and pier have gone, the Post Office has gone. The village association has events at the McLean Hall in which coffee, strawberries and books feature regularly. Or carpet bowls for the more athletic. You may wish to participate. There is a small cemetery and you might be able to spot the baptism font from the long-lost church of St. Ciaran. 'Fearnan, The Story of a Village of North Perthshire' (published by Perth and Kinross Libraries) is a book by local historian Ian McGregor for those who wish to delve deeper. Nowadays the village consists mainly of holiday lets. Fearnan Gallery - Wildlife Artist Just beyond Fearnan, on the north side of the A827 just before the Chapelburn is a 'cross'. At least that is what the OS map calls it. It is actually a piece of stone with an attached bronzed plaque, upon which is an inscription: TRADITION says this stone is the Fair or Market Cross of Fearnan and the Legend is "Cursed be he who Removes it" BREADALBANE Better way leave it where's it's to, I suppose. Something else that requires investigation is the stone pillar on the side of Meall Greigh above Cloanlawers. It has a diameter of about four feet and a height of, maybe, twelve feet and is made of stones piled high in dry-stane-wall fashion. What is it? Why's it there? Internet searches are failing to elucidate. If you know, do tell...
Walk to Old Lawers	Lawers	Only at hotel. Seek permission first	N/A	N/A
Old Lawers. Remains of a church and harbour from where a ferry crossed to Ardtalnaig. The Lady of Lawers was a soothsayer who allegedly managed to make some predictions that are supposed to have come true. Don't forget to visit the Horn Carver for unique souvenirs whilst in the village
The Big Shed and Tombreck farm shop	Tombreck	In the yard	N/A	N/A
Big Shed is an events venue and bunkhouse. Keep an eye open for what's on. Also there is access to the lochside for walkers
Kiltyrie Hidden History Trail	Kiltyrie	Car park	Free	N/A
History trail and information centre that is part of the Lawers Nature Reserve. Get an idea of how people once lived from the archaeological evidence. And find out what a 'runrig' is. Not just an ancient rock band!
Ben Lawers National Nature Reserve	Road to Bridge of Balgie	Car park	Pay & Display	N/A
Turn uphill onto the road for Bridge of Balgie. This steep, single-track road provides access to some wonderful views, great walking, including eight Munro's, the Lawers dam and ultimately Glen Lyon, outwith the winter season. This is, after all, the fifth highest paved and public road in Scotland, reaching an altitude of 1821 feet. The Lawers NTS visitor centre is now in Killin. The previous on-site incarnation was deemed to be an eyesore so has been removed. Unfortunately the P&D machines have not! Edramucky Nature Trail is a waymarked walk accessible from the car park and is not unduly arduous. The Tarmachan Ridge is not to be missed as an airy and bracing walk
Killin Golf Club	Just before Bridge of Lochay	On site	N/A	N/A
It's a golf club. Apparently golf is a sport. Definitely popular here in Scotland
Glen Lochay	West of Loch Tay	Various	N/A	N/A
Glen Lochay is an attractive, and mostly empty, glen. The road runs as far as Kenknock Farm, just prior to which is a car park for use by walkers. Look out for the picturesque waterfalls just beyond the power station. At the far end is a hydro road over to Glen Lyon but it is gated, ill-maintained and not open to cars of the public. Six Munro's can be accessed from Glen Lochay. Also in the glen is the Moirlanich Longhouse (NTS)
Finlarig Castle	Pier Road, Killin	Large layby, Pier Road	N/A	N/A
Remains of Finlarig Castle, open to wander around. Final resting place of Gavin and Alma, Campbells of Breadalbane

Top

Tarmachan Ridge

The Tarmachan Ridge

Carn Gorm

Carn Gorm

Munros
Name	Height	Rank	Access
Ben Lawers Beinn Ghlas	3983ft 3619ft	10 47	A good pair to get started with. Start at the NTS car park that, with an altitude of about 400m, gives you a good head start
Meall Greigh Meall Garbh An Stuc	3284ft 3668ft 3668ft	136 35 34	Normal start point is at the Lawers Hotel. For a greater challenge combine with Ben Lawers and Beinn Ghlas and arrange for a lift at the furthest end
Meall Corranaich Meall a'Choire Leith	3507ft 3038ft	68 261	Park beyond the Lawers dam. These two are on the Glen Lyon, north, side of the massif
Meall nan Tarmachan	3425ft	89	A nice 'easy' munro. Start at the hydro bridge slightly further up the hill from the NTS car park. Adding the Tarmachan ridge is a must, and makes a great circular route
Meall Ghaordaidh	3409ft	93	A singleton with great views into both Glens Lyon and Lochay. The start point is very helpfully signposted in Glen Lochay
Sgiath Chuil Meall Glas	3022ft 3146ft	270 199	Park at the end of Glen Lochay and follow the hydro pipes heading uphill and south
Beinn Heasgarnich Creag Mhor Ben Challum	3537ft 3435ft 3363ft	62 84 106	Park at the end of Glen Lochay. A mountain bike will be valuable for the long trek in. Might be best to do Ben Challum separately unless you're really fit and keen
Ben Chonzie	3054ft	250	Usually done from Invergeldie, but for something different give it a go from Ardtalnaig

Top

Cycling

Emergency Response Bike

Cycling Routes
Route	Length	Start	Finish	Height Gain	Max Gradient
Loch Tay Circum-navigation	34 miles	Any	Your starting point	Approx. 2100ft	Probably about 20%, briefly
Typically takes me about 2 hours 10 although my fastest is 1hr59
The Kenmore Eight	25.4 miles	Kenmore	Kenmore	Approx 830ft	8%
Figure of eight circuit that visits Kenmore and Comrie Bridge twice with Aberfeldy at one end and Fortingall and Fearnan at the other. Should take 90 minutes or so.
The Kenmore Hill Climb	11 miles	Kenmore	Amulree	1450ft	25%, average 7%
Categorised climb. Be aware that this road, in the table of highest roads in Britain, comes in at number seven topping out around 1750 feet above sea level. Returning adds 850 feet of ascent. Alternatively, turn left at Amulree and take the main road past Scotstoun to Aberfeldy and then along the A827 to Kenmore. 26 miles

Top

Practicalities
Public Conveniences	Killin - By Dochart Bridge, next to the mill (closed in winter) Killin - Next to the Station Rd car park (closed in winter) Kenmore - No PCs but there is a Publicly Available Toilet scheme.
Fuel	Lix Toll, 2 miles to the west of Killin at the junction with A85 NB 24 hours but at all times it is a DIY card-only payment system. You cannot pay by cash, there is no shop and no one to assist in the event of malfunction Aberfeldy, 23 miles east of Killin and 6 miles east of Kenmore at Co-op - not 24 hours The next nearest are at Tyndrum A82 and at Ballinluig A9 (neither 24 hours). There are no petrol stations around Loch Tay
Vehicle Recharging	Main St, Killin FK21 8UT Loch Tay Highland Lodges, Killin FK21 9TY Taymouth Marina, Kenmore PH15 2HW Moness Terrace car park, Aberfeldy PH15 2AF
Refreshments
Killin	A range of cafes, hotels and restaurants are to be found in the village
Ardeonaig - South Loch Tay road	Ardeonaig Hotel - tea, coffee, lunch and dinner Not open all year
Taymouth Marina, Kenmore	Restaurant - tea, coffee, lunch and dinner NB closed due to a conflagration
Kenmore	A range of food emporia are to be found in the village
Lawers	Ben Lawers Hotel - Restaurant, bar and hotel Takeaway pizza
Italian Restaurant	Within Loch Tay Highland Lodges site
Cruachan Farm	Restaurant on the caravan site
Bridge of Lochay Hotel	Restaurant, bar and hotel
Other
Medical Practice	Killin Medical Practice, Ballchroisk, Killin FK21 8TQ 01567 820213 Aberfeldy Medical Practice, Taybridge Road, Aberfeldy PH15 2BH 01887 820366
Defibrillator	Outside Falls of Dochart Retirement Home, Main St, Killin FK21 8UW Ben Lawers Hotel, Lawers PH15 2PA McLean Hall, Fearnan PH15 2QW Next to Kenmore Hotel, Kenmore PH15 2NU The Birks Cinema, 1 Dunkeld Street, Aberfeldy PH15 2DA
Library	Killin Library, Main St, Killin FK21 8UW Aberfeldy Library, Breadalbane Campus, Aberfeldy PH15 2DU

Top