In the Steps of Rob Roy, from Balquhidder to Killin

A walk from Balquhidder, up Kirkton Glen, and down by Ledcharrie Burn to the old railway track. From there, the intention was to cross the A85 road and the River Dochart, and head for Killin via a lovely little country road sitting at the foot of the hills in Glen Dochart. But oh the best laid plans of mice and men. Of course, Rob Roy MacGregor lies buried by the old ruined kirk in Balquhidder, so it's an apt place to begin our hike. From the forest of Kirkton Glen we emerge into the open hill by Lochan an Eireannaich and a big lump of rock known as Rob Roy's Putting Stone. Some say he hid up here when the MacGregors were outlawed and Rob Roy, along with everyone in the clan, was on the run from Government soldiers. But Rob Roy was a particular target, and his lands were seized by the Duke of Montrose. He had many hiding places. The path from the high point by the lochan down to the old railway route is not always clear, and may be difficult to navigate in bad weather, but today was sunny and we got there. It was at this point, by that old railway route, that I made a mistake. Feeling slightly weary, I decided to follow the railway route instead of the little road at the foot of the hills. It all started well, with grand views of snow-capped mountains, but where the A85 meets the A827 Killin road, the dismantled railway track vanished, and I had no option but to walk on the road to Killin. No pavement and many fast vehicles meant this was a nightmare and very dangerous. Definitely not recommended. But in the end we got there, and ended with footage of the Falls of Dochart and a small refreshment in the Killin Hotel with a backdrop of mountains. It's just a stunningly beautiful part of Scotland. #robroy #macgregor #scotlandtourism #scotlandtour #scotlandtravelguide #scotlandhistory #scotland #scottishheritage #scottishhistory #scottishclans #walking #hikingadventures #hiking #hillwalking