Local Information
Phone 111 for the single point of access for all non-emergency National Health Service care. Phone 999 for emergencies.
The nearest hospital is Vale of Leven District General Hospital, Main Street, Minor Injuries Unit, Alexandria, G83 0UA. Tel No 01389 754121. This is 46km away and takes 1 hour to get to. There are also hospitals in Crieff, Oban and Helensburgh which are a similar distance away.
The nearest Pharmacy is Dalmally Pharmacy, Main Road, Dalmally, PA33 1AX (19 km away). Tel No 01838 200465; alternatively there is one in Killin.
The nearest Dentist is Callander Dental Practice, 171 Main Street, Callander, FK17 8BG (33km away). Tel No 01877 330703.
The nearest Doctors Surgery is at Killin Medical Practice (01567 820213).
Corrour Train Station. Corrour train station is the most remote in the UK. It is 3 stops north from Crianlarich on the Fort William Line. Take the morning train north, spend the day walking around Loch Ossian, or climbing some of the local hills and leave time for a meal in the superb Corrour Station House restaurant https://www.corrour.co.uk/station-house/restaurant/ (01397 732236). Take late afternoon/evening train back home. The restaurant is closed November-March.
The Hollow Mountain, Cruachan Power Station, Loch Awe, Dalmally, PA33 1AN. Visit a power station 1km beneath the ground. Call 01866 962630 for information.
St Conans Kirk , Nr Dalmally, PA33 1AQ. Nested on the banks of the Loch Awe, Saint Conan’s Kirk is an architectural gem.
Killin. Beautiful Loch side village with a stunning waterfall.
Finlarig Castle, Nr Killin. 1Km north of the village of Killin is this early 17th-century castle on a peninsula between the River Lochay and Loch Tay. Built in 1629 by 'Black' Duncan Campbell it was one of many strongholds built in Argyll and Perthshireby the Campbells of Breadlebane. It is now in a ruinous condition.
Lost Valley, Glencoe. Coire Gabhail is the hidden valley where the MacDonalds of Glen Coe hid their rustled cattle. Involves an intensely dramatic and scenic walk. It is situated approx. 30 min drive up the A82, access from car park at NN170569. 2 hour walk.
Our favourite days out!
Glen Kinglass. If you drive north up the A82 to Bridge of Orchy. Turn left and cross the RiverOrchy just after the hotel. Take the road North West up to ‘Forest Lodge’, at the West end of Loch Tula. From here there is a beautiful walk or bike ride down Glen Kinglass. A wild and remote part of Scotland. Excellent place to see ‘The Rut’ in the Autumn.
Isle of Easdale. The west coast is 50 mins drive away. There are many places to explore. One recommended day trip is to drive through Oban and on down to the Isle of Seil, crossing the ‘Bridge over the Atlantic’. From Seil take the small passenger ferry on the short hop over to the Isle of Easdale. A beautiful small island with an interesting history, stunning views and beautiful flora and fauna. It is worth reserving a table for lunch at the ‘Puffer Bar and Restaurant’ – the only place on the island for food and very reasonably priced. Telephone 01852 300022; email: the.puffer@btconnect.com. It takes about 90mins to drive to the ferry
Appin Coast & Isle of Lismore. The Appin coast (between Oban and Ballachulish) offers many sights and activities including an excellent cycle path and Castle Stalker. One favourite is to park up at Port Appin, where there is an excellent restaurant (www.pierhousehotel.co.uk). From there you can take a small passenger ferry to the Isle of Lismore. If you have bicycle, the Isle of Lismore is the perfect size for a day's exploring with very quiet roads and stunning island and coastal scenery. The Lismore Heritage Centre offers a delicious lunch.
Activities
Oban. Vibrant west coast town complete with fish markets, amphi-theatre and boat trips.
Rafting. The River Orchy is 15 mins away and provides some of the most extreme white water rafting Scotland has to offer. Trips can be arranged from the Bridge of Orchy Hotel (15 min drive) through 'Nae Limits'. Telephone Nae Limits to arrange in advance on 01796 482600.
Diving. Puffin Dive Centre in Oban offers diving on the West Coast. Trips can be arranged in advance by telephoning 01631 566088.
Fishing. There are many areas where fishing can be arranged. The closest is the River Fillan (5 mins) where fishing permits can be bought at at the Rod and Reel in Crianlarich for £5 per day.
Golf. The nearest golf course is in Killin. Visitors are very welcome. Phone 01567 820312 to book.
Glencoe Mountain Resort. Mountain Biking, Skiing and walking; and a lovely café. Phone 01855 851226.
Loch Lomond Wakeboard. Wake boarding, canoeing, paddle boardings etc. Phone 07545 561360. www.lochlomondwakeboard.com
Shopping and Eating
There are village stores in both Crianlarich and Tyndrum which stock all essentials. There is a larger COOP in Killin
The nearest big supermarket is in Stirling, 46km away (Sainsburys, Drip Road, Stirling, FK8 1RA). Tesco do offer a ‘Click & Collect’ Grocery service with food being delivered to Killin Hotel; unfortunately they will not deliver as far as the house. ASDA offer a shop online delivery service to the house but make sure you book it as soon as possible as the slots fill up. Majestic Wine also deliver to the house.
There are a number of restaurants nearby including the Real food café, Tyndrum, which does an excellent fish and chips; the Ben Lui Restaurant, Tyndrum; the Tyndrum Inn; The Best Western, Crianlarich (pizza); The Rod & Reel, Crianlarich and The Bridge of Orchy Hotel; The Drover’s Inn, Ardlui (G83 7DX); Inveroran Hotel, Black Mount (PA36 4AQ); Kingshouse Hotel, Glencoe.
The ‘Artisan Café’ is literally opposite the house on the other side of the main road. You can access it by foot via the underpass at the end of the drive.
If you are willing to travel a bit further then the following are worth the drive. The Monachyle Mhor Hotel, Balquhidder, FK19 8PQ (01877 384622); Cameron House, Loch Lomond, Alexandria, G83 8QZ (0871 222 4681) and Loch Fyne Oysters, Cairndown, PA26 8BL (01499 600482) are all about 45 minutes away.
Taxi’s can be booked from Lodge Cars (Robert) on 07436037000.
Walks from the House
Waterfall Walk (15 mins). If you walk in front of the house and garden, and follow the track up the hill for a few hundred meters you will then be able to turn left and head down past some cabins into the woods by the river. Follow woodland track down stream and you will come across the waterfall. Follow the track on down until you hit the farm road and then walk back up to the House.
River Fillan Walk (45 mins). Walk down the road past the Wigwam Farm Shop. Turn left and head South along the farm track (West Highland Way). The walk takes you past the Old Priory and through the fields of Auchtertyre Farm. When you reach the River Fillan follow the river up stream for a km. Look out for dippers along the river. Just after you pass the Holy Pools you will reach the farm road. Head back up the road to Auchtertyre
Beinn Challum (4 hours). Our nearest munro. Walk up the hill behind the house, going under the railway bridge. There are marker posts which lead the way up through the moor land towards the ridge which you can then follow to the top of Beinn Challum. Make sure you have suitable clothing as the weather can turn quickly.
Dalrigh Battlefield (90 mins). Walk down the farm road and under the A82 using the footpath by the river. The track takes you along the side of the River Fillan. After about 800m you will cross another track. Continue to keep the river on your left. The Battlefield of Dalrigh is on your right.