Killin – The Falls of Dochart and the Auchmore Woods
About 2.5 miles on foot.
Killin sits at the head of Loch Tay, where the River Dochart pours over broad slabs of rock right through the village.
The Auchmore circuit sets off over the old bridge by the falls and loops through the woods of the old Breadalbane estate and along the loch road, with the hills across the water. It's an easy morning on good paths, with lunch by the falls at the end.
- Time
- One to two hours: the National Park's Auchmore Circuit, a 4 km (2.5 mile) loop from the Falls of Dochart in Killin. An easy walk.
- The path
- Forest paths and well-compacted tracks with some loose material, and a stretch of quiet public road.
- Where to start
- The free car park on the right just over the Bridge of Dochart as you come into Killin; the Falls of Dochart Inn's car park charges non-customers.
- Set off
- From November to February, set off by 1pm to be back in daylight.
- When to go
- All year in daylight. From November to February, set off by 1pm.
- Dogs
- On a lead on the bridge, where cars pass close, and near stock in the fields.
- Children
- Slippery rocks beside fast water, and a narrow bridge shared with cars: keep children close.
- Toilets
- Public toilets by the falls on Main Street, free; no disabled access.
- Before you set out
- The Bridge of Dochart is narrow and carries traffic, and the rocks by the falls are slippery.
The walk
Park in the free car park on the right just over the bridge as you come into Killin; the Falls of Dochart Inn's car park charges anyone who isn't eating there. Start on the old Bridge of Dochart, built in 1760, with the river pouring over broad slabs of dark rock on both sides and the wooded island of Inchbuie just downstream, the burial ground of the Clan MacNab. The bridge is narrow and carries traffic, so keep children and dogs close.
The National Park's Auchmore Circuit crosses the river into the woods of the old Breadalbane estate. It follows an old estate road and a quiet stretch of the road along the south side of Loch Tay, with the hills of the Tarmachan ridge and Ben Lawers across the water. It's 4 km, one to two hours, on forest paths and well-compacted tracks with some loose stones.
Queen Victoria visited Auchmore House in 1842; it was pulled down in the 1960s. Public toilets are by the falls on Main Street.
If it rains
The falls are at their best after rain and the circuit is mostly under trees on firm paths, so it works on a damp day; the inn's fire is close by.
Afterwards
About 4 min on foot
The Falls of Dochart Inn
Lunch
Lunch is at the Falls of Dochart Inn, right beside the falls where the walk began. Its coffee shop opens every day from 9am to 5pm, with armchairs by the fire and home baking, and the bar opens daily from noon, with stone-baked pizzas until 9pm. The restaurant serves lunch from noon to 3pm on weekdays and all day at weekends, with smoked salmon from the inn's own smokehouse and local venison. Out of season the restaurant shuts on Mondays and Wednesdays, but the bar and coffee shop still serve soup and sandwiches. Ring 01567 820270 to book a table.
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 Suie Hunting Lodge, 6 miles away.
For further reading, before you go.
Photographs by George Hodan; The Falls Of Dochart Inn via Google