The narrow gap in the rocks of the River Garry at Killiecrankie, where a government soldier fleeing the Jacobites in 1689 is said to have jumped the river.
Deep in the Pass of Killiecrankie, the River Garry squeezes between two walls of rock, the water churning dark and fast through a gap only a few strides wide.
Visited and photographed by Simon Hird
This is Soldier's Leap, and it has its story from the battle fought here on 27 July 1689.
When the Jacobite Highlanders charged down the hillside and routed the government army, the soldiers fled down the pass with the clansmen at their heels. One of them, trapped against the river, is said to have leapt clean across the gap to the far bank and escaped, and visitors have come to peer at the distance and wonder ever since.
The Leap is a few minutes' walk down from the Killiecrankie Visitor Centre, by a path and steps through the oaks of the gorge, and the paths carry on along the river through the pass.
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The path leads down from the Killiecrankie Visitor Centre into the gorge, a few minutes' walk with steps.
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Add your reviewThe Battle of Killiecrankie in 1689 has gone down as one of the bloodiest in Scottish history, although today’s majestic wooded gorge is more silent than violent. Look out for the spot where a soldier being pursued by the Jacobites hurled himself more than five metres across the River Garry. If your luck’s in, red squirrels and pine martens can also be seen.
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What is on in PerthshireIn the gorge of the River Garry below the Killiecrankie Visitor Centre.
Pass of KilliecrankieThe wooded gorge where the Jacobites won the battle of 1689.Under a mile 1 min by road
Killiecrankie Visitor CentreA cafe and shop above the gorge, where the paths begin.Under a mile 3 min by road
Killiecrankie HouseA white country house by the Pass of Killiecrankie, now a restaurant with rooms, with tasting menus, a cocktail bar and whisky tastings.Under a mile 3 min by road
Garry Bridge2 miles 4 min by road
Blair Castle3 miles 7 min by road
Linn of TummelWhere the Garry meets the Tummel, below Queen Victoria's obelisk.7 miles 10 min by roadPlaces to stay near the Leap, and when each is next free.
Milton of Kincraigie
Charlottefield
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