Best Things To Do In Killin – A Perfect Daytrip In The Scottish Highlands
There’s something very special about the wee village of Killin. Not far from the very centre of Scotland, it makes the perfect daytrip in the Scottish Highlands or a great base for exploring the surrounding area. Hundreds pass through every day but miss all the things to do in Killin that make it worth staying a while.
It’s about as picturesque as a village gets, with the river Dochart tumbling by and the Ben Lawers ridge looming above. There’s far more than scenic beauty to draw visitors to Killin though. If you can drag yourself away from the waterfall, you’ll find that it’s a place full of history and stories!
Not to mention delicious food, but I’ll come back to that…
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How To Get To Killin?
Killin is really easy to get to and those who have driven from Edinburgh or Stirling to Glencoe will have probably passed right by it. The village sits at the southwest end of Loch Tay, a short detour off the A85 road between Lochearnhead and Crianlarich.
If you’re driving then it will take around two hours from Edinburgh or an hour and a half from Glasgow. If you’re coming from the other direction then it’s around an hour from Glencoe. There’s plenty of parking available which is handy since there’s little public transport. If you don’t drive then you can always get to Killin on a Scotland’s Stories private tour!
Admire The Falls Of Dochart
The first thing to do in Killin that grabs everybody’s attention is admire the Falls of Dochart. This isn’t your typical plummeting waterfall, but a series of rapids and falls that cascade over irregularly worn rocks. When the water level is low, you’ll spot people clambering all over the place trying to get the perfect picture.
As you can see below, there are times when the river is in full spate and you’re stuck admiring the scenery from the edge. In those situations, when the misty spray of crashing water rises around you, the power of nature can really be appreciated. It’s easy to see how all of the strange contours and pot holes that are spotted on dry days were carved out over time.
Be very careful on the rocks. It can be incredibly slippery, especially just after rain, and a picture opportunity is never worth risking your life!
Pay Your Respects On Innis Buidhe
As you cross the bridge over the Falls of Dochart, you can’t miss the gateway to Innis Buidhe on the right. That’s Gaelic for Yellow Island and it’s the traditional burial ground for Clan MacNab. Killin was once at the very heart of their territory and generations of clan chiefs have been laid to rest on this little island in the river.
The gate is accessed from the bridge and although locked, it’s easy to get access. The Bridge End Mill keeps the key behind the counter and with a £20 deposit plus £5 fee, you’re left to wander at your own pace. Once you’re on Innis Buidhe, it’s a short walk through the trees to the burial ground at the far end.
Inside the small enclosure, you’ll find graves of MacNab chiefs, including a rare West Highland effigy, more often found in the chapels of Argyll! The MacNabs have a long and proud history around Glen Dochart, with a lot of their time spent fighting the neighbouring Clan Neish. They won that conflict in the end and to this day, their coat of arms shows the decapitated head of a Neish chieftain!
Learn More At The Old Mill Heritage Centre
After returning the island key to the shop, the next best thing to do in Killin is head to the Old Mill Heritage Centre. The ground floor is currently being used as a makers market – perfect for picking up some locally crafted goods! It also has a reproduction of the old water wheel, showing how these important old buildings once worked.
Upstairs, you can find out more about the history of Killin and the most likely origin of the name. It sounds a little ominous, but Killin probably comes from Cille Fillan as the church of St Fillan. He was an early Christian missionary, most likely from Ireland, but becoming better known in Scotland. The heritage centre contains relics that aren’t just locally important, but nationally significant.
These were considered priceless to Scots for hundreds of years and Robert the Bruce saw Fillan as pivotal in his fightback for the throne. St Fillan’s Quigrich and Bell are replicas, with the originals found in the National Museum in Edinburgh. However, the healing stones are the real deal. They have been used to heal locals for the last 1200 years and are still available for those who believe.
Wonder At Finlarig Castle
You’re never far away from a fortress in Scotland and no list of things to do in Killin would be complete without Finlarig Castle. This ruined towerhouse is as dark and foreboding as the man who built it – Black Duncan Campbell of Glenorchy. He was cunning and ruthless, building seven castles including Finlarig and Kilchurn Castle in the 16th/17th century to secure his growing estate.
Duncan’s short temper might explain one of the more peculiar features found in the castle grounds. A strange, rectangular, stone-lined pit sits just outside the walls and it’s a feature not found at many other castles. Legend says that this was used to catch the heads of any nobles executed here, while peasants were hanged in a nearby tree.
There’s not a lot of Finlarig Castle left to explore but its stories still make it worth visiting on your trip to Killin. It’s said that the folk hero Rob Roy Macgregor was a regular visitor here which isn’t surprising as he was half-Campbell. When his men were forced to give up their weapons after the 1715 Jacobite Rising, Rob made sure to deliver only the oldest, rustiest swords possible to the King’s men at Finlarig!
Travel Back In Time At Moirlanich Longhouse
Not everybody was fortunate enough to live in a castle like Finlarig though. While only open two afternoons a week, one of the most fascinating things to do in Killin is to visit Moirlanich Longhouse. It allows you to travel back in time to how most people in the area once lived.
Longhouses were common across Scotland, developing from turf buildings to drystone blackhouses and eventually whitehouses like this. One side of the building was for the inhabitants and the other was a byre for a few cattle. It’s barely changed since the last inhabitants left in 1968.
Moirlanich Longhouse is run by the National Trust for Scotland and open in the summer Wednesdays/Sundays from 2-5pm.
Visit Killin’s Standing Stones
If you’re interested in ancient history or even just want to have your own Outlander moment, you’ll want to visit Killin’s Standing Stones! Known as Kinnell Stone Circle, this is one of the lesser known groups of standing stones in Scotland.
Half a dozen large boulders sit in an almost perfect circle, around 1.4 to 1.9m tall. They were placed there around 4000 years old, although nobody can say exactly why. Its location near the confluence of two important rivers into Loch Tay must be significant, just as the view of the surrounding mountains could be!
Your guess is as valid as any and if you want to visit Killin’s stone circle then it’s only a 15 minute walk from the village. You’ll find it on Google Maps here.
Outdoor Things To Do In Killin
The Scottish Highlands are often best enjoyed while getting active. Fortunately, if you’re looking for outdoors things to do in Killin then you’ve got a few different options. Your best spot to start is the Killin Outdoor Centre where you can hire any equipment you need.
For those looking to explore forest trails at pace, you can hire a bike for a few hours or whole day. If you want to get out on the water, then there are canoes or kayaks available. You can even go out and try your hand at fishing by contacting Fish n Trips or Fish On Scotland. They can accommodate both experienced fishers and total beginners.
My personal favourite activity around Killing is just to go out walking. If you’re not very experienced but want to try and bag your first Munro, then Ben Lawers is a great way to start. It takes around 4-6 hours but this is one mountain that it’s difficult to get lost on! Have a look at the trail here and get an idea of the beautiful views!
Play A Round Of Golf In The Highlands
I’ve never been a great golfer, but I can appreciate how Killin Golf Course is a beautiful spot to swing a club! It’s a nine-hole course, one of the most beautiful in the world, but with an 18-hole option. Visitors are very much welcome and you can book a spot online. Club and buggy hire are available and you can even book out the whole course as a group!
Explore The Rest Of Loch Tay
Don’t limit yourself just to things to do in Killin but take this opportunity to explore the rest of Loch Tay! It’s one of my favourite areas to visit, with a beautiful drive along to Kenmore at the other end of the loch.
Halfway along, you can even visit the ruined village of Old Lawers down by the water’s edge. That’s where a seer known as the Lady of Lawers once prophesised such ominous things as “The jaw of the sheep will drive the plough from the ground.”
Further along, take the detour to Fortingall and visit Britain’s oldest tree. The Fortingall Yew is said to be around 5000 years old which makes it even more ancient than that stone circle! These trees are believed to have been sacred to Scotland’s early inhabitants due to their longevity.
An even bigger detour will take you to Glen Lyon – the longest, loneliest and loveliest glen in Scotland. That’s a place so packed full of stories that it deserves its own article. Coming soon…
The Story Of The Killin Incident
There’s a story that I love to talk about when I’m in Killin and it comes from the post-Jacobite era. The government was stamping down on Highland culture and wearing of “Highland Dress” was illegal for the vast majority of people. Not all areas followed this new law as rigidly as others.
In 1749, an army officer called Captain Hughes reported that his men had been arresting those wearing kilts and plaid trousers as ordered. However, when he brought them before the local Sheriff, each case was simply dismissed!
It took a lot of effort for the soldiers even to catch their targets. They received no help from sympathetic locals and with the culprits being knowledgeable of the terrain, the vast majority escaped. This soon led to what’s known as the “Killin Incident”.
Fed up of having his arrests thwarted, when government soldiers caught two men wearing tartan trousers at Killin, Captain Hughes decided to try them himself. They hadn’t got far when they were met by the Sheriff, accompanied by a large mob of angry locals.
The Sheriff ordered them to release the prisoner’s immediately, since their crime was a ridiculous one, otherwise they’d wind up in prison themselves! Hughes official report states, “the people insult & triumph while their Sheriff makes a jest of military power!”
Hughes kept on trying, but as far as I know, he was never very successful in his mission to molest the Highlanders!
Where To Eat In Killin
For a small village, you’re spoiled for choice with where to eat in Killin!
Falls Of Dochart Inn – My absolute favourite is the Falls of Dochart Inn with a rustic feel, friendly service and their own spin on Cullen Skink. The Dochart Skink is a cream and potato based soup with smoked salmon from their own smokehouse out back. They even do doggy meals of the day for Molly…
Capercaillie – The Capercaillie is another great place to eat a good pub meal. It’s never let me down before!
Shutters Restaurant – For a simple lunch or breakfast, you’ll find all the classics at Shutters.
Where To Stay In Killin
Courie Inn – One of the most popular places to stay in Killin for good reason, with staff who will go above and beyond. Courie essentially means cozy or snug and that sums it up well!
Killin Hotel – Built on the site of a 17th century Inn but far more comfortable these days with great food onsite!
Craiglea Thistle – If you’re looking for your own apartment rather than a hotel then Craiglea Thistle is a beautifully renovated option for your temporary home!
Capercaillie – For something a little larger, Capercaillie gives you a very pretty 2-bedroom cottage in the heart of Killin!
Falls of Dochart Inn – If you want to be closer to their Dochart Skink and have a great view over the river, the Falls of Dochart Inn is just as good an option to stay as well as eat.
If you like the idea of these things to do in Killin, then I’ve no doubt you would enjoy this article exploring Luss on Loch Lomond as well!
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