living walks demo

Balquhidder Village Circuit North in the Park - Balquhidder Walk Data

Circuit Route 1/4 mile (400m) 8

l Easy 20 minutes Surfaced paths

Y

Local signs Gentle inclines Gradient - 1:8 max

k

No real height gain

z Restricted v

Okay in places

Key Features Wood

NGreat Views 5Rob Roy’s Grave m

F Waterfall

Noise Indicator Water rush noise

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Simple village walk Balquhidder is a tiny village on the eastern shores of Loch Voil in the north of the national park. The place is famed for being the burial ground of Rob Roy, the Scots hero who died way back on 28 December 1734 after a life of cattle rustling and a bloody feud with James Graham, 1st Duke of Montrose.

Rob Roy (Robert Roy MacGregor to give him his full name) was born at Glengyle near Loch Katrine. He grew up around the area and in 1693 he married Mary Helen MacGregor who later bore him at least 4 sons. At the age of 18 he joined the Jacobite rising led by Viscount Dundee alongside King James who was later replaced by William of Orange. Rob Roy later went on to become a respected cattleman, but not all his dealing with cattle was legal and for many years he was known for his involvement in the theft of cattle from many farms around the remote regions where he roamed.

4 The walk around the village is short but pleasant, taking no more than 20 minutes passing over a couple of bridges and alongside the fast flowing water fall of Kirkton Glen. A good start point is from behind the old church near the information board. Walk up the hill and simply follow the path in an anti-clockwise direction, stopping on the first bridge to view the waters below. Note at the top of the walk by the church there are some signs for other walks and a marker post; ignore these and stay within the boundary.

Bullfinch

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& Parking: B Location Balguhidder is of the A84 north of Callander. Limited free parking at the church.

This is a village walk, so not suitable for letting the dog off.

Nearest Extras: v ] Accommodation, Food & Toilets Limited facilities in the village Fuel - 10 miles north at Lix Toll.

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Start & Parking

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The village walk is short and takes about the same time as it does for a politician to say 'Trust Me'.

However, nothing political about this stunning place next to Loch Voil, where visitors are attracted by the stunning remoteness and tranquility of the place.

Balquhidder is a simple highland community with a village hall, a school and a tearoom. There is also an old church where Rob Roy and his wife are buried.

Black Parks

North in the Park - Strathyre Walk Data Circuit Route 11â „4 miles (2 km) 8

l Easy 40 minute Rough paths

Y

Red route Excellent family forest walk

Hilly in places

Y BVY

Gradient - 1:5 max

k

130m (427ft) height gain

z

No access

Y

v

Not suitable

Y

BVY

BVY

Key Features

Y BVY

Forest

m F Tighanes Burn

Noise Indicator Quiet walk with woodland noise of bird song coupled with water rush.

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The village of Strathyre lies a few miles north of Loch Lubnaig, fed by water from River Balvag which runs through the place.

The Black Parks walk is a total joy and one of the best family walks in the area. It offers a variety of features from a steep burn to a wonderful array of different trees and plants. The walk travels over a route that is a mixture of soft boggy earth with lots of tree roots poking through, to a hard forest road. But what is great about this walk is just how simple it is, while at the same time how relaxing, and while you may be able to hear cars passing through the village, it won't spoil the trip.

The walk is only about 11â „4 miles and you could do it in 45 minutes, but take your time, this is a no-need to-rush walk. One point to note is that although this is a fantastic family walk, which kids will love, it's not pram friendly and

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there is a hilly part. Also around the section near the Tighanes Burn, kids should not be allowed to roam free as there are some steep sides.

Following the red marker posts, start the walk from the main car park where there are also toilets and information boards. Walk along the raised path at the back of the car park turning right, after a few hundred metres you will come to a T-junction, turn right and walk down to the road, checking the traffic, cross over and just ahead you will see an old stone wall with an entrance gate. Pass through and immediately turn left and walk to the left of the building and towards the tennis court. Keeping to the right of the court, simply follow the route around the woods as the red posts direct you. Eventually the walks join another yellow marked trail; you then follow the joint marker post back down to the village and the start point.

Luc Viatour - Crane Fly

& Parking: B Location Strathyre is along the A84 north of Callander. Free parking near the village shop.

The woods are home to lots of wildlife, but this is also a good area for running the dog, just be careful and be responsible, especially near the roads.

Nearest Extras: v ] Accommodation, Food & Toilets Limited facilities in the village Fuel - 10 miles north at Lix Toll.

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Start & Parking

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Crianlarich Community Woodland North in the Park - Crianlarich Walk Data Circuit Route 1 mile (1.6 km) 8

l Easy 20 minutes Hard tracks

Y

Local signs Gentle inclines Y

Family nature trail

BVY

Gradient - 1:9 max

k

No height gain

z No access v

Y BVY

Okay in parts

Y BVY

Key Features

Y BVY

Forest

NGood view points m

Noise Indicator Quiet forest walk but you will hear cars passing by.

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Crianlarich (A' Chrìon Làraich in Gaelic) is a small village some 16 miles north of Tarbet on the junction of the A82 with the A85 in the northern section of the Loch Lomond National Park. The village falls within the glen of Strath Fillan, which rises to the north, while to the south of Crianlarich the mighty Ben More at 1171metres (3,841ft) towers above.

There has been a settlement here going back many centuries, indeed it is believed as far back as mediaeval times. Crianlarich's convenient location is one reason for the village’s existence, which made it an ideal spot for two military roads that once met in the village, and which were used to help supply much needed reinforcements for west coast battles between clans, and to quell any uprisings. A few miles north of the village, you will find the foundations of St Fillan's Priory; it is said that the saint is buried here.

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Crianlarich Community Woodland walk is about as simple as they get, and if you can't manage this stroll, then you're seriously not normal. Located on the outskirts of the village, this is a community project involving locals and children from the community school who have compiled an information sheet all about plants and insects.

The walk is easy to find on the outskirts of the village just off the A82, where there is a small car park and information board. From the car park, the route, which is marked out with post and runs along a simple path, starts off on open ground before traveling through a forest of tall trees. The walk is short, flat and very easy to complete; if you don't stop you will be back in your car after 20 minutes; however, take your time and look out for some of the plants described by the local kids in their free to use fact sheet located in a box at the notice board (please return sheets after your walk).

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& Parking: B Location Crianlarich is of the A82 & A85 north of Loch Lomond.

Free parking at the start.

Good free run for your dog, but with care for wildlife, and remember you are near a road Nearest Extras: v ] Accommodation, Food & Toilets In and around the village.

Fuel - 5 miles north in Tyndrum.

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Start & Parking

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Chiffchaff

History Walk Around Killin North in the Park - Killin Walk Data Circuit Route 3 miles (5 km) 8

l Easy 11â „2 hours Surfaced paths

Y

Local signs Gentle inclines Y

Family history tour

BVY

Gradient - 1:9 max

k

No height gain

z Most of the route Y

BVY

v

Okay

Y BVY

Key Features

Y BVY

Woods

NGreat views 5Historic features m

F River Dochart

Noise Indicator Loud town noise

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Killin, is a small village on the northern border of the Loch Lomond National Park. It has a rich and interesting history, with many a clan having fought on the heather clad hills that surround the village, with such notable names like Clan MacNab, the Campbells, the McLarens and Rob Roy’s Macgregors all having traded blows.

For the history walk, you can start from any point in the village, but, to do it as a loop: start from The Breadalbane Folklore Centre Dochart Falls in the village. The centre, which was once a 7th century mill, offers insight into the life and times of Killin with in-depth details, artifacts and audio-visual displays.

After the folk centre walk down the main road until you come to the school, here turn left to Breadalbane Park to reach Fingal's grave stone, said to be a Celtic mystic legend.

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Killin Church, dating back to 1744, is located a stone’s throw from Fingal's grave on the right just of the main street. Next to the church is a church yard where you can have a look at a number of reformation gravestones. Continuing right along the main street you will come to a bridge, at which point you turn right to visit the ruins of Finlarig Castle which was built in the 11th century. This is an old ruin with loose and dangerous stone work, so do not get too close or clamber on the ruins. After the castle walk down the path until you reach the old railway line where you turn right and carry on until you reach the site of a Bronze Age stone circle located just after Kinnell House. A short distance ahead, next to the river, is Clan MacNab burial ground.

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& Parking: B Location Killin is along the A827. There are various car parking options near the walks start.

Behind the MacNab burial ground on the other side of the bridge is the unusual Falls of Dochart, but take care as the water can be fast.

This is not really a dog walk apart from the stretch leading up to the ruins of Finlarig castle and the MacNab burial ground.

Nearest Extras: v ] Accommodation, Food & Toilets Lots of facilities around the town.

Fuel - In Lix Toll, 21â „2 miles west.

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Start & Parking

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Spotted Cra

Killin & Loch Tay North in the Park - Killin Walk Data Circuit Route 2 miles (3 km) 8

l Easy 50 minutes Hard paths

Y

Local signs Flat

Famliy loch walk

Y BVY

Killin is the most northerly village in the Gradient - 1:10 max national park on the very edge of the boundary, with Loch Tay itself just outside the park. However, don't let that put you off, this is No height gain a stunning location.

Not suitable Loch Tay is the sixth largest in Scotland surrounded by gentle rolling hills. This is a Okay but bumpy freshwater loch, about 150 metres deep measuring 15 miles long and about a mile and Key Features a half wide. It’s fed by waters from a number of small burns, but its main tributaries are the Woods Rivers Dochart and Lochay, which feed in from the western side. A historical Great views feature of the loch is the ancient man-made islands called crannogs that once existed Historic features here. Crannogs offered a degree of security and people lived in them back in the Iron Age. Loch Tay There is an example of a crannog on the loch showing how they looked.

Noise Indicator Loud town noise

k

z v

Y

BVY

Y

BVY

Y

BVY

N 5 m

F 28

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The walk from the centre of the village to the western shore of Loch Tay is an easy low level 50 minute loop that takes you along the old railway line passing the hidden ruins of Finlarig Castle, a fifteenth century home to the Campbells. Beyond the ruins, you eventually reach the loch's shore along a woodland path. Just before the water's edge, you turn right and walk south along the western edge. The path starts out through a tree-lined route before opening onto a meadow. Ahead of you in the water, you will see a small island just off the loch's shores and as you draw closer, the path turns west back towards the village joining back up with the old railway line. You can end the walk here or elect to turn left and follow another short path which follows the loch's inlet stream, to eventually meet up with the old railway line again before returning to the start in the village centre.

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& Parking: B Location Killin is along the A827. There are various car parking options near the walks start.

This is an okay walk with a dog, without too many worries along the way. But you do walk around areas where locals live and work, so keep the dog on a lead in built up areas.

Nearest Extras: v ] Accommodation, Food & Toilets Lots of facilities around the town.

Fuel - In Lix Toll, 21â „2 miles west.

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Start & Parking

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Goosander