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The ivy-covered ruin of Finlarig Castle among trees.
Stirlingshire

Finlarig Castle

The overgrown ruin of Black Duncan Campbell's castle of the 1620s by Killin, with a stone pit that folklore calls a beheading pit.

Welcome

Finlarig Castle stands on a wooded mound at the north end of Killin, between the River Lochay and the head of Loch Tay, an overgrown ruin being slowly swallowed by the trees.

It was built in the 1620s by Sir Duncan Campbell of Glenorchy, Black Duncan, a great builder of castles, and it is said that the Scottish Parliament was once summoned to meet here in 1651, though only three members came, and that Rob Roy MacGregor visited in 1713.

The south side still stands to a good height, with the stump of a spiral stair; to the north it is a tumble of stone. Just outside the north wall is a stone-lined pit that folklore calls a beheading pit, though it was almost certainly a tank for rainwater. Nearby are the overgrown ruins of the Breadalbane Mausoleum of 1830 and later Campbell graves. The site is private and the ruins are unstable, so view them from the path, keep clear of the walls and tread respectfully.

Close byBreadalbaneYou will find the picturesque area of Breadalbane in the north east corner of the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park.2 min by roadSee itVillage nestled among green fields and hills under a cloudy sky
Before you go

Seen from the path at any time; free.

The site is private and the ruins are unstable, so keep clear of the walls.

Open
From the path, any time.
Care
Private; ruins unstable.
Where it is

North of Killin, off the A827.

Close byBy Killin.
  1. KillenKillenRural and remote, this tiny hamlet can be found on the Black Isle, jutting out towards the North SeaUnder a mile1 min by road
  2. The Falls of Dochart tumbling over rocks through Killin.Falls of DochartRapids pouring under the old bridge at Killin, with the MacNab chiefs' burial island in the river.1 mile3 min by road
  3. 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.11 miles20 min by road
  4. Loch Dochart and its wooded castle island below the hills.Loch Iubhair & Loch DochartTwo small lochs in Glen Dochart east of Crianlarich, with a ruined Campbell castle on an island.12 miles17 min by road
  5. 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.12 miles22 min by road
Directions
Village nestled among green fields and hills under a cloudy skyAttractionsBreadalbane0.9 miles
Suie Hunting Lodge, Loch LomondStirlingshireSuie Hunting LodgePlace to stay · 7.5 miles
Balquhidder parish church and the ruined old kirk among trees, from the air.AttractionsBalquhidder Parish Church13 miles
Loch Voil among trees and hills in the Braes of Balquhidder.AttractionsLoch Voil and Loch Doine15 miles
A Highland calf walks across a lawn before a pink harled house, a stone wall and outbuilding visible behind.StirlingshireMonachyle MhorPlace to stay · 17 miles
Stay nearby

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

Suie Hunting Lodge, Loch LomondSuie Hunting Lodge
  • To stay
  • In Stirlingshire
  • 7 miles from Finlarig
Check datesA Highland calf walks across a lawn before a pink harled house, a stone wall and outbuilding visible behind.Monachyle Mhor
  • To stay
  • In Stirlingshire
  • 11 miles from Finlarig
Check datesKin, PerthshireKin
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Stirlingshire
  • 15 miles from Finlarig
Free 25–27 OctLoch, PerthshireLoch
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Stirlingshire
  • 15 miles from Finlarig
Free 4–6 NovPlaces 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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