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Balquhidder parish church and the ruined old kirk among trees, from the air.
Stirlingshire

Balquhidder Parish Church

The kirk at the foot of Balquhidder Glen, where Rob Roy MacGregor lies beside the ruin of the old church of 1631.

Welcome

Balquhidder Kirk stands at the eastern end of Balquhidder Glen, above Loch Voil, where a narrow road winds west from the A84 into some of the loveliest country in the national park.

There are two churches here. The present parish church was built in 1855, and just beside it, among old yews, is the roofless ruin of the old kirk of 1631, with a kirkyard of stones going back to the 1600s.

In front of the ruin lies Rob Roy MacGregor, drover, soldier, outlaw and folk hero, who died in 1734 and was buried here with his wife Mary and two of their sons. His grave carries the defiant clan motto, MacGregor Despite Them, and it draws visitors from all over the world. The old kirk is also the burial place of the chiefs of Clan MacLaren. Look inside the parish church too, then take the signed path behind it up through the woods to Creag an Tuirc for a view down the glen.

A short drive awayThe Broch CafeA family café on Strathyre's Main Street and the cycle route, with Italian coffee and fresh food, closed on Wednesdays.8 min by roadSee itThe Broch Café's carved wooden sign above spring daffodils.
Before you go

The kirkyard and grave can be visited at any time; free.

A few parking spaces outside the church.

Open
Kirkyard any time; free.
Parking
A few spaces by the church.
Where it is

Balquhidder, FK19 8PA.

Close byIn Balquhidder Glen.
  1. Loch Voil among trees and hills in the Braes of Balquhidder.Loch Voil and Loch DoineTwo lochs in the Braes of Balquhidder, Rob Roy's country, with his grave at the kirk at the foot of Loch Voil.2 miles3 min by road
  2. Wooden jetty on a misty loch surrounded by autumn woodlandLoch EarnA seven-mile loch on the eastern edge of the national park, between Lochearnhead and St Fillans, known for watersports and trout.7 miles10 min by road
  3. Loch LubnaigLoch LubnaigA long, quiet loch below Ben Ledi between Callander and Strathyre, with the Rob Roy Way along its shore.7 miles11 min by road
  4. A long loch among the hills from the slopes of Ben Vorlich.Ben VorlichThe shapely Munro above Loch Earn, climbed from Ardvorlich on a clear path, with rougher Stuc a' Chroin beside it.7 miles12 min by road
  5. Ben More and Stob Binnein white with snow under a blue sky.Stob BinneinBen More's twin above Crianlarich, at 1,165 metres.19 miles28 min by road
Directions
A Highland calf walks across a lawn before a pink harled house, a stone wall and outbuilding visible behind.StirlingshireMonachyle MhorPlace to stay · 4.1 miles
The Broch Café's carved wooden sign above spring daffodils.CafeThe Broch Cafe4.5 miles
Suie Hunting Lodge, Loch LomondStirlingshireSuie Hunting LodgePlace to stay · 5.2 miles
White water pouring over rocks at the Falls of Leny.AttractionsFalls of Leny11 miles
The view from Ben Ledi's slopes over the hills of the Trossachs.AttractionsBen Ledi11 miles
The Falls of Dochart tumbling over rocks through Killin.AttractionsFalls of Dochart12 miles
The Trossachs Woollen Mill beside the rushing river at Kilmahog.AttractionsTrossachs Woollen Mill12 miles
Village nestled among green fields and hills under a cloudy skyAttractionsBreadalbane12 miles
Straight road through misty fields with grazing cattle in the distanceAttractionsKillen13 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the kirk, and when each is next free.

A Highland calf walks across a lawn before a pink harled house, a stone wall and outbuilding visible behind.Monachyle Mhor
  • To stay
  • In Stirlingshire
  • 4 miles from Balquhidder
Check datesSuie Hunting Lodge, Loch LomondSuie Hunting Lodge
  • To stay
  • In Stirlingshire
  • 5 miles from Balquhidder
Check datesA grand stone mansion with multiple gables and chimneys stands behind a lawn set with wicker chairs, seen through overhanging leaves.Cromlix
  • To stay
  • In Stirlingshire
  • 18 miles from Balquhidder
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in StirlingshireAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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