Killin is a great place for walkers, cyclists, campers and motorhomes to stop and visit for a day or two, for those who love scenery, a coffee & cakes, a pint of beer, or just to walk around the village and take in the scenery, including the water falls by the bridge or the stone formation a little further along the tracks into the woods.
It is also a great place for a bike ride if you like the peace and tranquility of the quiet backroads.
Things to Do In Killin
Cycling
There are a few places that you can cycle to from Killin that will take you along the Scottish bike routes that are bike and walking friendly. I chose a simple route along the backroad of Killin which takes you on the quiet road to Kenmore.
Below is my route using the Cyclers App. This is a FREE app available for Apple & Android mobiles.
Here is my effort on Strava.com. Note this was my first time back on a bike in 4 months. (2nd as I did 2okms the day before). There is almost 900 metres of climbing on this route from Killin to Kenmore, there and back and close to 60 kms. There is not a flat section on the whole route.
Walking & Sight Seeing
There is a great walk or two in Killin that you can stretch your legs and enjoy the scenery straight from the camper doors.
You can visit the Kinnell House Stone Circle which are less than a 15 minute walk from the bridge in the cenre of the town along a stunning off road section along the back of Killin.
By the bridge you can check out the history of the Clan MacNab as this was their power place in the 16th Century. You are also viewing the falls of Dochart from the bridge.
Walk over the bridge and down towards the centre of the village for a nice selection of shops, cafes, coffe shops, a bike shop and other places to visit. There is a small carpark on the left as you are passing through the village heading towards Kenmore, or you can peel off this road to the right and head to the Coop carpark where you will find more parking places, and a larger parking area that can accomodate vans and motorhomes. There is also a toilet located here, and this is a great place to join the footpath for a walk to the edge of the loch and follow a nice 1 hour walk along the lake side and river back into Killin.
Coffee Shops & Beers
Killin has a number of quality coffee shops or pubs that are dog friendly for a coffee or a beer. My favourite is shutters which is right in the middle of the village on the main road. A nice place that is also dog friendly.
Driving Around Loch Tay by Killin
Loch Tay is quite a special loch as you can actually drive all the way around the loch, which is something you cannot do with many of the big lochs in Scotland.
However there are a few things to note.
The WEST side of Loch Tay is very easy to drive around as it is the A827 which is driveable with any type of motorhome, van or car.
The EAST side is a single track road with passing places all along the road. It is much busier at the KENMORE end of the road than it is at the KILLIN end.
There are also SIGNS clearly stating it is NOT recommended for HGV, BUSES ETC. So personally I would not take our Hymer 594 down this road as for me it is a mirror killer and could cause issues in certain places.
There are also a number of places along the road where the edge drops away completely where the heavy tractors have been down there and squashed all of the soil down in the bottom.
If your van or motorhome goes off on one of these places and slips down the gap you could easily be looking at needing a recovery and possible serious damage to the underside of your vehicle.
Personally I would not take anything bigger than a 3.5 ton VAN down there. Definately NOT a treasured motorhome.
Killin History: The Clan Macnab
Killin is a historic conservation village in Perthshire, Scotland that sits near Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.
It has a rich history dating back thousands of years:
- People have inhabited Killin for thousands of years, leaving evidence of prehistoric stone circles and burial mounds in the area, such as the Kinnell House stone circle.
- In the 16th century, Killin was the ancient seat of Clan Macnab, and their burial grounds are located on Inchbuie island in the River Dochart. You can see the island when you stand on the bridge.
- Killin was listed as a burgh of barony by Sir John Campbell of Glenorchy, the first Earl of Breadalbane, in 1694, marking its development into a more formal settlement.
- In the 19th century, Killin became a popular tourist destination due to its scenic natural setting and historic sites.
- Today, Killin continues to host traditional events throughout the year, including the Killin Highland Games in August and a New Year’s Day ceilidh.
- In 2023, Killin was voted one of the most desirable locations to live and visit in Scotland, praised for its history, setting, and facilities.
Prehistoric History of Killin, Scotland
The area around Killin has a rich prehistoric history, with evidence of human settlement dating back thousands of years:
Prehistoric Stone Circles and Burial Mounds
- The Kinnell House stone circle is one of the most significant prehistoric sites in the Killin area. This stone circle dates back to the Neolithic period, around 3000-2500 BC.
- Archaeologists discovered ancient burial sites in the Killin area, indicating its importance for early rituals and burials.
- The ancient monuments in the Killin region reveal how people practiced their religion and culture during the Neolithic and Bronze Age periods.
Early Settlements
- There is evidence that the Killin area was inhabited by Mesolithic hunter-gatherers as early as 8000 BC, who likely lived in temporary camps and shelters along the River Dochart.
- During the Neolithic period (4000-2500 BC), the first permanent farming settlements began to emerge in the Killin region, as people transitioned to a more agricultural way of life.
- Archaeologists have found the remains of Neolithic roundhouses and other structures in the Killin area, demonstrating the development of more substantial settlements over time.
Significance of Killin’s Prehistoric Sites
The abundance of prehistoric monuments and archaeological finds in the Killin area highlights its importance as a center of early human activity and ritual in the Scottish Highlands. These ancient sites continue to fascinate historians and archaeologists, providing valuable insights into the lives and beliefs of Scotland’s earliest inhabitants.
The Falls of Dochart
Killin and the Falls of Dochart are special places in Breadalbane. They have a strong identity in the beautiful mountain setting. The River Dochart rushes out of Glen Dochart in a series of amazing waterfalls. The water goes faster and falls more steeply as it heads toward Loch Tay. At Killin, it becomes a very wide, rocky series of rapids where the Bridge of Dochart crosses over it.
The Bridge of Dochart, first constructed in 1760, crosses the river at Killin, offering a view of the falls as they flow through four channels of unequal width.
The Falls of Dochart and their surrounding area belong to the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. The falls are best viewed from the picturesque old stone bridge crossing the river or from the rocky shoreline near the village.
The falls cascade over the rocks and around the island of Inchbuie, which is the ancient burial place of the MacNab clan.
The Falls of Dochart are dramatic. The loud sounds, sights, feeling of the spray, and smell of the waters make the falls an incredible outdoor experience. Killin is dominated by the sight and roaring sound of the falls behind the village.
The Falls of Dochart Inn & Smokehouse, a family-owned business in Killin, overlooks the spectacular falls and is a popular accommodation choice for visitors to the area. It is also a nice place to sit out of the front on a sunny day with a coffee or a beer and enjoy the views of the bridge ans the falls and to people watch.