Falls of Dochart, Killin, Scotland

The Falls of Dochart are situated in the historic village of Killin, which is pretty much the geographical centre of Scotland. The village sits at the head of Loch Tay and is overlooked by Ben Lawers (3984 feet), one of the highest mountains in Britain.

 Ben Lawers overlooking Killin.

Killin is an ideal spot for touring the central and west highlands.  This was my reason for spending some time there recently, walking in the nearby mountain ranges.  Killin is just over an hour and half away from Glasgow and Edinburgh, Stirling and Perth being about an hour away.

Looking towards Beinn Ghlas from Ben Lawers.

Travelling northwest from Stirling you pass through the town of Callander, where the scenery becomes more and more highland.  At Lochearnhead you begin the ascent up through Glen Ogle, which Queen Victoria described as Scotland’s own Khyber Pass, when she travelled over this area during her honeymoon tour in 1842.  If you pause to look down the glen you will notice the old road built by soldiers after the battle of Culloden. Taking a wee break at Loch Ogle, it is easy to imagine Jacobites fleeing the Government troops in days gone by.

My wee dog Ghillie - on the lookout for Government troops at Loch Ogle.

Entering Killin you notice the River Dochart broadens out at the same time as its gradient steepens.  The results are the spectacular Falls of Dochart, one of Scotland's most impressive and easily accessible waterfalls.

Tayside Fire & Rescue Team training on the River Dochart.

Perhaps the most striking thing about the falls are their extreme seasonal variability.  The waters that flow through the river drain an area to the west that includes the eastern side of Ben Lui and the northern side of Ben More.  The falls themselves can vary from a flow so low it can be hard to spot amongst the many rocks of the river bed, to a raging torrent that completely covers most of those rocks.

An island in the middle of the river on the downstream side of the bridge is known as Innis Bhuidhe.  This is home to the Clan MacNab Burial Ground.  It dates back to the 1700s.   An oblong enclosure within the burial ground is home to fifteen graves,  nine of which are the final resting places of clan chiefs,  plus a medieval graveslab, which suggests that at least one earlier burial did take place here.

MacNab Burial Ground.

Bridge over the Dochart Falls in Killin.

The history of Killin is ancient, with the area being in the frontline for many years in the war between the Scots and the Picts.

Breadalbane (the name given to the area with Killin at the centre) is very popular with visitors and tourists alike, not only for the magnificent scenery but for many outdoor pursuits such as fishing (salmon and trout), golf, climbing, hillwalking, alpine botany or just leisurely touring the surrounding area.

After a hearty full Scottish breakfast nothing beats a day on the hills, a couple of drams at the end of the day ensures a peaceful sleep in this gorgeous wee village.

Ben Lawers summit with a dusting of spring snow.

Killin has also provided locations for several films including; The 39 Steps (1959), Casino Royale (1966), Kidnapped (1971) and Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975).


Killin Village History

Glen-Ogle