Killin

Killin is a Village 44 miles west of Perth at Loch Tay.

The Village is popular for the Falls of Dochart on the River Dochart, the 23 mile Cycle Lane between Killin and Callander, Golf, Moirlanich Longhouse Museum, and a number Mountains for hiking including the 3,983ft / 1,214m Ben Lawers with a mountain car par and Nature Reserve.

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Camping & Touring Parks in area

The image top is of the road from the south entering Killin with the Falls of Dochart to the left and Falls of Dochart Inn to the right. Ben Lawers mountain can be seen in the distance. Falls Large Image

The Clan MacNab burial ground is on Inchbuie Island by Killin Bridge. This was one of the most prominent Clans in the area.

The image of Killin Main Street is looking north with the Capercaillie Restaurant with Rooms on the right.

At the north end of Main Street is the Killin Parish Church and Killin Hotel next to the River Lochay. The Killin Hotel has outdoor seating overlooking the River where there is a Boating Pier.

Loch Tay can be found by driving or walking down Pier Road. Follow the main road north from the Killin Hotel for a few hundred yards from where Pier Road begins crossing a bridge over the River.

There are Walking Trails at the Loch but little else, surprising there are no boating facilities. Loch Tour Boats stopped operating in 1939.

Finlarig Castle ruins are mid way along Pier Road, on the left side going toward the Loch. This Castle was built in the 1600s for Duncan Campbell. There are interesting Graves by the Castle of Sir Gavin and Lady Campell from 1922 and 1932.

Killin Golf Course is one mile north of the Killin Hotel, open to visitors.

Ben Lawers Car Park is 6 miles northeast of Killin, up on the mountainside at 1,400ft above sea level. There are a number of Mountains in this area popular for hiking, and a nature trail for walking. Folow the main A827 road northeast towards Aberfeldy for about 4 miles, then take the well signed Hill Road up to the Mountain car park.

Lawers Dam is about one mile past the Car Park on the Hill Road that crosses right over between the Mountains, a fantastic drive on a clear day with a number of great spots for walks high in the hills. The Hill Road eventually takes you to Aberfeldy, 16 miles longer that the main road.

The Dam was completed in 1956 as part of the Breadalbane Hydro-Electric Scheme, about 1,800ft above sea level.

Killin History

1100? - the MacNab Clan had Eilean Ran Castle built on an Island at the mouth of the River Dochart. The MacNnab's were the prominent Clan in tha area at that time.

MacNab's also made their Burial Ground on Inchbuie Island, one mile up-river from their Castle, next to where Killin Bridge stands today.

1300s - the MacNab's opposed Robert the Bruce, leading to their land being taken by the Crown after Bruce became King of Scotland.

1336 - King David II, son of Robert the Bruce, returned the lands to Clan MacNab.

1629 - Finlarig Castle was built for the Campbells 1 mile north of where Killin village is today, close to Eilan Ran Castle.

The Cambells and MacNab's were involved in a number of disputes over the centuries.

1654 - Eilean Ran Castle was destroyed by Cromwells Government forces. This was after the MacNab's had fought on the Royalist side of the English Civil War.

The MacNab clan seat then moved to Kinnell House, on the outskirts of Killin. The Killin Stone Circle is in the grounds of the House.

The Campbells fought on the Government side during the English Civil War. Backing the winning side allowed the Campbells to become the prominent Clan in the area.

1744 - the Parish Church at Killin was built.

1760 - the bridge was bult over the River Tay at the Falls of Dachart.

1800s early - Kinnell House was sold to the Campbells to help pay off MacNab debts.

1825 - the MacNab Clan Chief and about 500 Clan members emigrated to the Ottawa River Valley in Canada.

1855 - Steamers began operating on Loch Tay providing sightseeing tours throughout the summer.

1886 - the Railway opened at Killin bringing in Tourists to the Village and for Boat Trips on Loch Tay.

1902 - Killin Golf Club is founded.

1939 - the Steamers stopped operating on Loch Tay at the beginnig of WWII, they never ran again.

1949 - Kinnell House was bought by the 22nd Macnab chief.

1950 - Ben Lawers Mountain was aquired by the National Trust to serve as a Nature Reserve with a large car park for walking and hiking trails.

1956 - Lawers Dam is completed in the mountians above Killin, next to Ben Lawers Mountain.

1965 - Killin Railway Station was closed.

1978 - Kinnell House was sold to to someone unknown to pay MacNab death duties.

1987 - Inchbuie Island was gifted to the MacNab Memorial Trust, so the Island would remain in MacNab ownership.

1992 - the Moirlanich Longhouse was acquired by the National Trust for Scotland to serve as a museum.