Visit Kinloch Rannoch

So you want to visit Kinloch Rannoch! What is there in this small Perthshire village, at this east end of Loch Rannoch?

The name of the village is slightly odd, as Kinloch normally refers to a place at the head of a loch, not the foot. Nearby is a hill resembling the head, shoulders, and further torso of a man, or so many say, and has therefore been given the name of ‘The Sleeping Giant’. Local myth says that the giant will wake up only when it hears the sounds of its master's flute. Eighteen miles west from the village by minor road is Rannoch Station, a remote stop on the Glasgow to Fort William line. Rannoch Station may not be the end of the line, but it is the end of the road. If you have come this far, just about the only way out is via the 38 miles back to the A9 at Pitlochry.

The scenery beyond Rannoch Station, is Rannoch Moor, a magnificent, vast boggy plateau at an altitude of 1000ft covered with lochs and lochans, surrounded by distant mountains. A magical place in summer sunlight, brooding and moody on a dismal day and forbidding in winter.

An excellent viewpoint for the whole area is the summit of Schiehallion, the Fairy Hill of the Caledonians, a Munro at 3552ft which dominates Kinloch Rannoch's south east skyline. This is a popular mountain and its distinctive shape is visible from many far distant mountains. Access is from Braes of Foss by a well-worn path up to the summit ridge.

For those wishing to keep their heads out of the clouds, there is an interesting walk around Loch Rannoch, a clan trail with information boards on local clans, including the Robertsons, Camerons, MacDougalls and Menzies. A cycle route also encircles the Loch. For those unwilling to leave their cars behind, the drive round Loch Rannoch, taking in the very minor road along its southern side, is highly recommended. Close to the west end of the loch it is worth watching out for the small Braes of Rannoch Church.