Balquhidder – Rob Roy's Grave and a Riverside Sauna
A few hours.
The route
At the far end of Balquhidder Glen, Monachyle Mhor's wood-fired sauna is a little tin-clad hut beside the water, with the river for a cold plunge and Loch Voil close by for a swim.
Stop on the way at Balquhidder's kirkyard, where Rob Roy MacGregor is buried, then finish with lunch in the hotel's bar, where much of what's cooked comes from its own farm and garden. It's a quiet, unhurried day for a couple or a group of friends.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
The nearest of ours is Monachyle Mhor.
Then Suie Hunting Lodge, 5 miles away.
Book Monachyle Mhor riverside sauna
Book the riverside sauna at Monachyle Mhor through the hotel's booking page or on 01877 384622 before you go: exclusive use for up to 12 at £120 any day, or a shared session at £20 a person from Thursday to Sunday (at the time of writing), open 8am to 6pm; book a table in the bar for lunch after.
The day
Balquhidder
An old kirkyard at the head of the loch, then wood-fired heat, a river to cool off in, and a long lunch at the end of the glen.
About three and a half hours
Balquhidder Parish Church
An attraction
Balquhidder is a small village at the head of Loch Voil, west of the A84 between Strathyre and Lochearnhead. Rob Roy MacGregor is buried in the kirkyard beside the parish church, where the roofless old kirk still stands among the gravestones. He lived in this glen and died in his house at Inverlochlarig Beg on 28 December 1734. The kirkyard is open ground with no gate times, so come in daylight, and be quiet if a service or a funeral is on. Allow half an hour.
10 min by car
Monachyle Mhor riverside sauna
Monachyle Mhor is about 10 minutes' drive on along the road beside Loch Voil, near its far end. Its riverside sauna is wood-fired and open from 8am to 6pm every day. Book it through the hotel before you go: the whole sauna for up to 12 people is £120, any day of the week, and a shared session is £20 a person from Thursday to Sunday, at the time of writing. Heat up, then cool off in the river or with a swim in Loch Voil nearby. They suggest swimwear, closed-toe water shoes, neoprene gloves and boots, a warm hat, extra layers and a water bottle. The water is cold all year, and the dip is your own choice. Afterwards, lunch is in the hotel's bar, where the bar menu runs from noon to 9pm every day and walkers are welcome for a bowl of soup or a sandwich. Ring 01877 384622 to book a table.
If it rains
The sauna is warm in any weather and lunch is indoors; the kirkyard is short and in the open, so keep it brief if the rain is heavy.
Photographs by Monachyle Mhor Sauna and Coconut Island Drones via Google