Days out in Breadalbane

Falls of Dochart, Killin

Breadalbane Highlights

Here, we share ideas for days out in the Breadalbane region of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs at the northern end of the National Park. Specifically, the area around Crianlarich, Tyndrum, Balquhidder, Strathyre, Lochearnhead, St Fillan’s and Killin.

We’ve put together some brief history, geography, and highlights of Breadalbane below and then, at the bottom, have suggested some themed itineraries, each manageable in a day. As always, we value any suggestions, feedback, or observations from your trips.  

 

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BLiSS Trail

Whenever we write about this beautiful park region, we always mention the superb BLiSS Trail. The innovative trail connects the villages of Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, Strathyre, and St Fillans through a series of features in the landscapes. Please read our guide to the BLiSS Trail and use their app to navigate you to the points of interest.

Killin

Killin is famed for the Falls of Dochart, which cuts through the village centre. Highland Games and Gatherings occur here (and at Lochearnhead) each summer. A walk to nearby Loch Tay is delightful, and if you would like to connect with the incredible hills and mountains visible from the village, then book the Eternal Mountain Guide. We highly recommend Patrick’s tours; you can see one we filmed for him above.  

Loch Tay, near Killin

Book a trip to Loch Lomond & the Trossachs or beyond.

Falls of Falloch

Falls of Falloch is just north of the northern tip of Loch Lomond and is known as Rob Roy’s Bathtub, as legend is that he bathed in the huge plunge pool next to the impressive falls. One of our most popular guides on this website is the ‘A82 road trip’ that describes the many points of interest on the A Road that goes alongside Loch Lomond and heads north into the Scottish Highlands. Check that guide for details from Falls of Falloch and onto the northern gateway out of the park just after Tyndrum. 

Rob Roy Country

This less visited region of the National Park is also known as ‘Rob Roy Country’, and despite the outlaw’s legendary exploits occurring over a much broader area in the early 1700s, his burial place is Balquhidder, not far from Inverlochlarig Beg, where he spent his later years. You can read more about Rob Roy MacGregor in our guide and our Clans of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs article.  

Balquhidder Church

Balquhidder

We’ve already mentioned the option to see Rob Roy’s resting place in the small village of Balquhidder. Don’t leave without following the trail behind the church to see the waterfall and then onto the spectacular Creag and Tuirc view of Loch Voil. Further along the lochside road is Monachyle Mhor, a boutique hotel with fantastic food.  

Cycling Options

If you’ve got a bike (you can hire from shops in Callander, Kingshouse and Killin), you can enjoy NCN7. I recommend cycling from Strathyre to Killin over the Glen Ogle viaduct. Sadly, the old railway lines are no longer there, but we must be thankful that they were once, as their routes are repurposed for walking and cycling.  

Glen Ogle Viaduct

West Highland Way

Walkers along the 96-mile West Highland Way pass close to Falls of Falloch, which from the trail can be difficult to see without a detour, although the noise of the falls is often audible. The Great Trail from Milngavie to Fort William is nearly at the halfway point, and walkers, having been alongside the eastern shores of Loch Lomond, are getting ready for wild Glencoe at this point.

As you will see from the suggested days out in Breadalbane list at the end of this guide, you can walk a stretch of the West Highland Way, using the train stations at Ardlui, Crianlarich, Tyndrum and Bridge of Orchy to return to your starting position.

National Park peaks

Most of the highest peaks of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs are in the Breadalbane region. We’ve listed them in a guide, which may be your starting point if you want to scale one of the Munros in Breadalbane.  

Loch Earn

One of our favourite lochs in the National Park, Loch Earn, has communities at either end, Lochearnhead and St Fillans, both pretty villages. Follow our East Creag Mhor instructions for an enjoyable walk with excellent views.  

St Fillans, Loch Earn

Days out Options

Let’s take all this information about Breadalbane and suggest some themed itineraries based on having one day to explore the area.

• BLiSS Trail – an easy one, follow the BLiSS Trail, starting at Loch Lubnaig for a day, stopping and enjoying the lochs and villages, supported with some good food and drink at the cafes along the route.

• Cycle NCN 7 – cycle from Strathyre to Killin and back for a beautiful day of cycling on NCN7, stopping for lunch at Killin by the Falls of Dochart

• Climb a Mountain – take a guided tour by Eternal Mountain Guide, or pick one of the many Munros close by from our list.

• Explore Killin – See the Falls of Dochart, explore the village and then take the riverside path to Loch Tay. (Read our Killin guide)

• Rob Roy MacGregor Day – Visit Falls of Falloch and then go to Rob Roy’s resting place at Balquhidder before walking up Creag an Tuirc and looking for any approaching Red Coats!

• West Highland Way Taster – Walk north along the West Highland Way from Tyndrum to the Bridge of Orchy (10.6 miles/17 km) and then take the train back to your starting point. Alternatively, walk from Crianlarich to Tyndrum (5.7 miles/9.2 km), returning by train.

• Visit St Fillans - St Fillan’s is one of the contenders for the prettiest villages in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs. Take a walk up East Creag Mhor for some great views of Loch Earn.

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Thanks for reading

Words and photography by Paul Saunders. Visit Paul’s Marketing and Photography websites for details of his services in Scotland.

Please let us know if you found the guide helpful in the comments section below.