Landscape
Killin Hotels make an ideal base from which to explore nearby highlights such as the Trossachs and the glorious Loch Tay. The energetic can ascend Ben Lawers before returning to the idyllic surrounding of Killin and relaxing to the sounds of the falls as they tumble through the heart of the village. The whole area is exceptional, shaped by glaciers and home to towering trees, rare arctic and alpine plants, eagles, ospreys and red deer.
History and Heritage
Although there are signs of human occupation near Killin dating from the Mesolithic period, 9, 000 thousand years ago, the most famous early residents are from the Iron Age. These are the people who built the submerged and semi-submerged loch dwellings known as ‘crannogs' located around Loch Tay. The Scottish Crannog Centre is an essential 5-star tourist attraction built around a reconstructed crannog where you can really discover the Iron Age past in uniquely evocative surroundings.
In later centuries, many important feuding clans occupied this area, such as the MacGregors. The most famous MacGregor, Rob Roy is buried at Balquhidder Churchyard near Killin.
Naturally there are numerous castles and castle ruins to visit and explore. One of the most evocative is Loch Dochart Castle, situated on a little wooded island near Crianlarich. This 16th century three-storey tower house was burnt down in 1646.
Restaurants, bars and cafés
For a small village, Killin offers a good variety of food and refreshments. At the Falls of Dochart Inn you can enjoy hearty pub food and snacks next to a roaring fire, or overlooking the falls. Sample fresh Scottish seafood and local produce at the Killin Hotel or pop into The Old Mill Café for an all-day breakfast, soup, sandwiches or fish and chips. A little further afield there are numerous wonderful places to eat the finest local food, like Venachar Lochside, with its fantastic fresh seafood and unforgettable waterside setting.