Things To Do

Aquila Ecology offers guided wildlife walks and driven tours of St Fillans and the surrounding area. St Fillans is in a fantastic position to view species of lochs, mountains, woodlands and moorland all within easy travelling distance. Even without the wildlife, the scenery is breathtaking. Tours can be tailored to individual's preferences based on desired wildlife 'ticks' (not the crawly kind) and physical abilities.

For example, Aquila Ecology can offer comfortable driven tours looking for wildlife from the car (or short distance away) and easy walking tours in and around the village, to longer uphill treks looking for the wildlife of the surrounding hills and glens.

Whatever the preference, Aquila Ecology can offer a service that meets the client's needs at an affordable cost which will leaving the client with a lasting memory of the experience and the area. Tours are available every day at times to suit depending on availability.

Please contact Andrea on

01764 685 459 or 07960 391297

or by email to [email protected]

for information on availability and prices.

Also, check out the Aquila Ecology Facebook page for latest news and events in addition to our Events page.

‘You don’t stop playing because you grow old,

You grow old because you stop playing’. 

                                                                   (George Bernard Shaw).

Nestled in a beautiful setting, our Play Park inspires visitors both young and old. 

Active youngsters can hare around the roundabout, swing, slides and climbing tower to their hearts content. Once they’ve burnt off their excess energy, they and their family can do something more unusual instead. 

To pique a child’s curiosity, the park has loads of different challenges with themes including ecology, the Moon, ‘Tick’ health awareness, mythology, animal poo, cloud-spotting and local history. There’s an activity for everyone.                                                                                                                                

So, enjoy quality ‘family time’ tracking footprints to a secret entrance of the Faeries’ underground kingdom. Identify animal paw prints, tell the time using a giant sun dial or crack the code carved in ancient Ogham. Discover all the hidden Pictish symbols, thistle men and haggis snouts before deciphering the anagram of the Viking Runes. Ponder the Pensive Grouse’s ‘deep’ thoughts in a unique egg hunt. Guess the ‘creepy crawlies’ in a Scots quiz and match up the quirky Scottish Beasties® to their personalised play features.

There’s so much to do that one visit may not be enough ... but that’s ok. 

Come back as often as you want!

Have a look and listen to the complete tour here where you can download the app for use with a Smartphone https://geotourist.com/tours/2040

See also the blog BLiSSful (but Baltic) Loch Earn Loop in a new window.

New arts trail linking National Park locations will be BLiSS for visitors

Unique attraction commemorating the Year of Innovation Architecture and Design (2016) aims to provide tourism boost.

LETi won the Scottish Thistle Award for Innovation InTourism for BLISS trail 2017 at the national finals in Edinburgh on March 2018. The trophy was sponsored by GeoTourist.

The unique BLiSS trail – launched 27^th April 2016 - links the villages of Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, Strathyre and St Fillans, deep in the heart of ‘Rob Roy Country’. The initiative is the brainchild of LETi, the Loch Earn Tourism Information group.

LETi has established the innovative arts trail to encourage more visitors to stop at, spend time in, and enjoy the villages and their spectacular settings by creating a new attraction for people of all ages to enjoy – providing a boost to tourism in the area and the local economy.

The group also wanted to create the trail to commemorate and celebrate the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design 2016.  The name BLiSS - suggested by LETi member Kenny Higgins of the Strathyre Outdoors Community Interest Company - is made up of the first letters of the four villages with the letter ‘i’ representing both innovation and the universal tourism information symbol.

The artworks are promoted beside Loch Lubnaig, The Broch Café and recreation area, Airlie House B&B, Balquhidder Village Hall, Monachyle Mhor, The Golden Larches, Mansewood Country House, The Lochearnhead Hotel,  Lochside Cottages, Loch Earn,  Briar Cottages and The Achray House Hotel. 

Kim Proven, LETi Chair and owner of luxury self-catering Briar Cottages at Lochearnhead  said:                                                                                                           “We wanted to create something new - an attraction that would capture the imagination of people of all ages and become a talking point. Our BLiSS trail’s diverse, inspirational artworks and installations should, we feel, do just that. Each of the pieces is interesting, thought-provoking and entertaining so we hope the trail will become a real favourite with visitors and make our villages even more attractive as destinations that people will seek out.

“We hope that visitors will recommend the BLiSS trail and our friendly communities to others. We want them to share their experience of it through social media by posting pictures on Facebook using the hashtag #BLiSStrail and on Twitter @robroycountry.”

Drive along the trail around the A84 and A85 Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, Strathyre and St Fillans starting from any of the villages. Enjoy a half day outing or a full day out with drinks, lunch and dinner stops. Alternatively, see sections of the trail one village at a time by bicycle or on foot. Bikes can be hired in Strathyre. Sustrans Cycle Route 7 (also part of the Rob Roy Way) on the old railway walkway,  connects sections of Strathyre, Balquhidder and Lochearnhead off road. 

Visit www.robroycountry.com/blisstrail for full map with Food and Drink stops and look at the BLiSS trail slide show here https://tinyurl.com/blisstrailslides  Click the link then hit the "Presentation" button top right.

See also the blog BLiSSful (but Baltic) Loch Earn Loop in a new window.

Update 30 October 2019.

Have you “herd”? Two of the 11 cow shaped designer benches from Crieff Succeeds unique summer art trail have mooved to Loch Earn to join the award-winning BLISS trail, following an auction in aid of Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance, at Crieff Hydro on October 9th. 

The 6-day Clan Ring offers some challenging walking. It is described in detail at -  

The Clan Ring - Day Sections List

and passes through St Fillans twice. There is a zoomable map on each Day's page. St Fillans is the overnight stop for Days 2/3 and Days 5/6. See our Accommodation page.

Day 1:       Crieff, via Auchingarrich to Comrie.

Day 2:       Comrie, via Loch Boltachan to St Fillans.

Day 3:       St Fillans, via disused railways to Balquidder.

Day 4:       Balquidder via Kirkton Glen to Killin.

Day 5:       Killin, via Loch Breaclaich to St Fillans

Day 6:       St Fillans, via Dalchonzie & Comrie Croft to Crieff

 

There is a good choice of local St Fillans Walks detailed below but the Clan Ring complements them with some more adventurous and long distance walking.

Hello Buddha Buddies

Current weekly Zoom classes -

Instructed Yoga - Mon 6pm, Thu 10am & Sat 10am

Flow class - Fri 9.30am

A new 12 class plan offer lets you decide when and how frequently you want to attend for just £3.50 per class & include –

- Yoga class - 40 min instructed class

- E-mail summary - detailed summary of key focus, class plan, detail of new poses, benefits & music references

- Flow class - 20-25 min class plus warm up/down 

In addition, 'At Home' socially distanced classes are something that I started in response to requests for bespoke one to one or single household classes.  Although I'm still 'at home' with you, these have transferred to Zoom for now and are ideal if you're wanting to build up a particular strength or get some practice in before joining one of the group classes. 

Full details of all options are on the website www.buddhabodies.co.uk

You can reserve your next class here

Stay safe and well and hope to 'see' you soon. 

Namaste, Pamela 🙏  

download Zoom here

Crieff Choral is a group of about 60 enthusiastic singers of all ages who enjoy making music from Handel to Hammerstein. Our regular concerts in Crieff include professional soloists and musicians.

We perform two concerts a year, a serious classical piece in the Easter period and a more light-hearted programme before Christmas.

The Choral Group started life in 1972 as an evening class led by Alistair Barr, then teacher of music at Crieff High School.   When he left to teach music in the West Highlands, Charlie Wilson, one of two very musical brothers in the town, took it on (his brother sang in the choir) and conducted the growing group for several years.   Joan Taylor became the third conductor and for twenty years the choir flourished and grew under her leadership.   When she eventually moved on, Peter Rutterford took up the reins, and under his guidance the group continues to enjoy and perform choral music of all kinds.

See our Events page on this website for future concerts or

Go to www.crieffchoral.co.uk/events

Join us at www.crieffchoral.co.uk/join-us.html

Top 10 Walks In Loch Lomond And The Trossachs

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, as the ‘miniature Highlands of Scotland’, offer a little something for all hikers, whatever their age, ability or fitness level. This region is a wonderful destination for families, with plenty of low-level, easy hikes that skirt the many lochs of the national park. Kids will love these exciting trails, winding in and out of fragrant woodland, with the possibility of a swim or some watersports in the chilly waters of the loch. This is the place to come for a memorable family walking holiday.

For more adventurous walkers you’ll find some challenging day hikes that bring you over steep, rocky terrain, traversing the glens and peaks of this beautiful national park. Whatever you’re looking for, this wild, wonderful part of Scotland has a walking trail for you.

All the routes, as mentioned, are free to use and have real GPS coordinates recorded during the walks. 

https://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

The National Park boasts some of the most stunning scenery in the world from the breathtaking mountains and glens of the Trossachs to the vast tranquil beauty of Loch Lomond, mainland UK’s largest body of water.

There’s always more to explore here and activities to suit everyone, all of which is only enhanced by having Scotland’s first National Park as your backdrop.

Whether it’s a sedate loch shore walk to calm your spirit or a day of munro bagging, a gentle cycle along a cycle path or a high octane mountain bike experience, a comfortable canoe around our islands or a bracing open water swim, you’ll find it here and then some.

www.robroycountry.com

Rob Roy Country

A warm welcome awaits you from the four villages of Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, St. Fillans and Strathyre ... which are located in an area of outstanding natural beauty with lochs, mountains and forests in abundance.

Rob Roy Country is the perfect holiday centre for many activities including:

• Walking and Climbing
• Golfing
• Fishing
• Watersports
• Cycling and Horse Riding
• Deer Stalking and Shooting

https://www.10adventures.com/planning-your-trip-to-loch-lomond-and-trossachs/

Planning your trip to Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park

Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park is a haven for adventurous walkers who want the quintessential Scottish landscapes and loch experience.

https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/stfillans/stfillans/index.html

Undiscovered Scotland

Welcome to Undiscovered Scotland, the ultimate online guide to Scotland.

https://trossachs.co.uk

The Trossachs & Loch Lomond

A complete guide to Stirling and Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park

www.british-towns.net/scotland/north-east/perth-and-kinross/st.-fillans

British Towns and Villages

If you are taking your holiday or vacation in Scotland you will find details of accommodation, attractions and events throughout this website.

Information about Angling and Camping on the Loch can be viewed by clicking on the links below. 

Loch Earn is stocked with brown trout each year and has always been popular with fishermen. Fishing Permits can be bought at the Village Store in St Fillans and Lochearhead and at Loch Earn Leisure Park on the south shore and Drummond Estates Boat Hire on the north shore.

Please also note that the parking of caravans and motorhomes for longer than three nights is prohibited in most laybys on the north shore. Caravans and Motorhomes are not allowed at anytime in the horseshoe layby.

A word of caution: bathing in the loch can be extremely dangerous. In many places the edge drops almost vertically to at least 15m and the water just below the surface can be very cold, even at the height of summer. There are safer areas at the St. Fillans end but advice should always be sought from those with local knowledge.

Angling in the National Park (opens in a new window)

Camping in the National Park (opens in a new window)

Fishing - Legal bits (opens in a new window)

Guidance for All Water Users (pdf file opens in a new window)

On water hand signals for anglers and kayackers (opens in a new window)

Arran's Loch Earn Brewery Hotel bar and coffee shop are open over the summer months, usually from Thursday to Sunday.

The brewery’s ”Tap” bar – a real snug of a bar nestles to the back of the hotel. Wooden floor, wood burning stove, cosy feel and of course superb ales from the Arran Brewery – on draught will includes Clyde Puffer, award winning Arran Blonde and Red Squirrel.

You will be able to sip your pot of tea, green, black or flavoured or of course Cappuccino, Latte or good old filter coffee whilst relaxing in the suntrap of the coffee shop – fresh cakes, buns and other goodies will help you linger over the glorious vista.

Loch Earn Watersports Centre is a hidden gem located on the South side of the Loch. We are only 1 hour 20 minutes drive from Scotland major cities Edinburgh & Glasgow. At LWC our packages offer a range of thrilling watersports from paddleboard & kayak hire to private waterski and wakeboard lessons behind our purpose built Mastercraft X2.

If you are looking for an activity for family/friends for the day, corporate activity day or even a stag/hen party day out we can guarantee to put a smile on your face. Experience the best Scotland has to offer with fun activities to suit all on the beautiful shores of Loch Earn.

[email protected]

07377447741

The great variety of habitats and diversity of landforms in the area support an exceptional wide range of species.

Birdlife is abundant, especially smaller garden birds. Britain's commonest bird, the Chaffinch is present in large numbers and it is quite common to see vast Chaffinch flocks. They compete for bird table food with Greenfinches, Siskins and Great, Blue and Coal Tits. Long-tailed Tits rarely visit gardens but can be seen on the outskirts of our wooded areas. Beautiful Goldfinches and handsome Bullfinches are also frequent visitors to our gardens. That National favourite, the Robin is always on the lookout for a titbit and brightens many a winter day. Jenny Wrens are also held in great affection, but difficult to spot as they pop in and out of the undergrowth.

There have been rare sightings of Britain's most beautiful bird, the Kingfisher, fishing along the shores of the Loch.

The magnificent Osprey, closely associated with Perthshire, is present in the area and if you're lucky, it can be seen hovering and hunting above Loch Earn. Buzzards are commonly seen soaring through the sky uttering their plaintive cry. Other raptors noted around the area include Red Kites, Kestrels, Peregrines and pouncing Sparrow Hawks.

A variety of wildfowl and waders may be seen round the water margins including Mute Swan, Goldeneye and Grey Heron. There are also attractive Green-Headed Mallards and, along with their dark brown mates frequent the lay-bys and waters edge. Like us, they thrive on a varied diet and their favourite foods are lettuce, potatoes, duck pellets and breadcrumbs!

In winter, Cormorants can be seen perched on buoys and posts in the lochs, with wings outspread, drying their feathers. Outwith the breeding season, colonies are often seen on Neish Island.

The upland areas support moorland birds such as Grouse, Meadow Pipits, Whinchat and Stonechat as well as Mountain Hares and the ubiquitous Red Deer. On October evenings the surrounding hills are alive with the roaring of stags at the rut! Roe Deer are plentiful in the woods and often startle unwary motorists by bounding across the road in front of cars.

Other interesting residents include a herd of wild goats, which can often be spotted in a field some two miles out of the village on the way to Comrie.  The local golf club has taken these visitors to heart – the Club crest features a wild goat!

A number of priority species listed in local and national biodiversity action plans have also been sighted and surveyed. These include red squirrels and otters. Scottish National Heritage has designated special sites of scientific and biological interest with much emphasis being placed on protecting the habitats of these endangered animals.

It is a great area for communing with nature. Keep your eyes open, enjoy and see how many different forms of wildlife you can spot!

To arrange local wildlife tours, see the entries for Equila Ecology above and also under Local Businesses.

Stop Press: We're now accepting bookings from a few visitors for some limited tee times most days. Please email the club [email protected] to book and pay for your green fee. Sadly no toilet/catering facilities yet. The course is in fine condition.

Welcome to St Fillans Golf Club - a small club with a big reputation! Masters Champion Sandy Lyle often visits the course, which he has described as his "favourite inland course in Scotland", and recently the club's reputation has gone from strength to strength. 2014 was a very special year for St Fillans Golf Club as their efforts in regard to the Ryder Cup legacy were recognised when Sky Sports and VisitScotland chose the club as one of only 4 'Ultimate Venues' in the country, and to add to the award, members were able to see the Ryder Cup at close quarters when it was brought along to the club one evening.

St Fillans - Best 9 hole Course in Scotland - Scottish Golf Tourism Awards

Members and visitors to St Fillans Golf Club have been so delighted with the presentation of the course during 2019 by green-keeper John Myles, that when  the opportunity arose to support a Scotland-wide poll, most of them expressed their support for this local club. A few weeks ago the club committee were advised that they were one of the top four 9 hole clubs in Scotland and at a prestigious presentation evening held at the Fairmont, St Andrew’s, the club were officially presented with the “Best 9 hole Course” award. Other awards went to Carnoustie, St Andrews’s and Trump Aberdeen courses.

2019 has been a good year at St Fillans with increased membership and visitor numbers after several years of decline, and it’s hoped that the recent award will bring along extra visitors in 2020. The club offers a great membership package – simply email [email protected] for details.

So many visitors have happy memories of visits to the club in their childhood, "I learned to play golf here" being one of the most common quotes we hear. Whether you're a beginner or a former Masters Champion, we know that you'll find the course appealing and we can assure you of a welcome second to none!

Click here for an aerial tour of our wonderful golf course.

Click here to  view a video film of the 2017 Sandy Lyle Charity Day.

The Club is grateful to Robert and Jackie Westerman of Machrihanish for their generous donation of time and expenses incurred in the production of this film.

Get into Golf

All the fun of the fairways !!

Aimed at the beginner, the Club’s ‘Get into Golf’ project comprises of a weekly lesson under the tuition of a leading Scottish Golf Professional.

if you’re interested in taking part, then please get in touch with the club by email or phone to get a place.   No previous knowledge of the sport is required and the clubs you need to get you started may be borrowed from the golf club. All you need to bring is suitable trainers or other non-slip footwear. Those taking part will be encouraged to unwind after their lesson with a tea or coffee and cake which is included in the £10 lesson fee making the offer even more attractive!

There is no long term commitment, but the lessons are structured to cover the basics progressing from week to week, and any participant wishing to become a member of the Club at a later stage will receive a full refund on all coaching fees linked to this scheme so It’s a win-win option

 Golf offers healthy exercise in the open air along with the opportunity to meet people, and the Club is keen to welcome you to join in the fun on the fairways!

 More details from the Club Manager at  [email protected] or 01764685312.

St Fillans Music Circle meets every Tuesday afternoon during the Autumn and Spring terms in the Sandison Hall, St Fillans at 12:30pm and starts with a light lunch and coffee.

The musical presentation runs from 1:30pm till 3:30pm with a short midway break.

See each individual programme under EVENTS, during Autumn and Spring,

or for the full 2020 Spring programme click HERE. This will open in a new window.

If you are interested in joining or would like to

come and see, you would be most welcome..

Please contact either:-

John Light (Chairman) 685307 or

Malcolm Gregory (Treasurer) 670493

We look forward to meeting you.

All walks start from the Information Point, by the footbridge opposite the Lochearn Brewery Hotel (formerly Drummond Hotel). For each walk you can view the text and / or the text and photos in a PDF file for printing out to take with you.

The St Fillans path network gives access to a variety of landscapes, from woodland to riverside, open hill to lochside. They offer magnificent views over Loch Earn and the surrounding hills. All the routes on this website are fairly straightforward but stout walking shoes/boots are recommended.

The area surrounding St Fillans supports active forestry and farming communities and is therefore a working environment. Please be aware of your surroundings and respect the needs of these activities, as well as all aspects of the Country Code.

These walks were developed with help from the local community, in conjunction with the National Park Ranger Service. Distances are approximate and are for the round trip back to the Information Point. Particular thanks are due to the Estates and local landowners, over whose land many of these paths cross. The Maps are for illustrative purposes only. Always equip yourself with the approproiate map.

Distance:         2 miles (3 km)

Time:               Allow 45 minutes

Grade:             Easy

Colour Code:   Red

A pleasant stroll around St Fillans, beside the River Earn and then back along behind the village, emerging to overlook Loch Earn and the hills beyond. Look out for Red Squirrels, Osprey, Red & Roe Deer, Kingfishers and even Beaver

A low level walk, starting on even paths and roads, then through light woodland, using a rocky, narrow path with gates; returning along the road pavement beside the Loch. Updated February 2021.

Start at the Village Information Point by the footbridge, near the Village Store and opposite the Arran Brewery Hotel.

Cross the footbridge spanning the River Earn and immediately turn right past the Village War Memorial. Follow the path a short way around the end of Loch Earn to the South Loch Road and there, turn left.

Walk along the road for about ½ mile, past the weir on your left and then St Fillans Golf Club on your right,

eventually bearing left to the main road via the old Dundurn Bridge. 

At the main Road, turn left towards the village (taking care crossing the road), then pass Little Port Farm on your right and the National Park sign on your left.

Just beyond the farm, turn right up Station Road and after about 100 metres, keep right towards the Station Caravan Park.

Just before the dismantled railway bridge, turn left along a tarmac path signposted: 'Play Park and Railway Path West'.

This path runs between two fences and then bends up onto the dismantled track bed, passing a crocodile on your left.

Continue on this path for about 50 metres and then turn left into a smaller path (beside a Pensive Grouse), signposted 'St Fillans Play Park'.

Take this zig-zag path down towards the play park.

A few metres before entering the Play Park take a faint narrow path that forks off to the right. (A)

This passes the top of the Play Park slide and runs along the bottom of the old railway embankment (on your right) and the back of some gardens (on your left). After a few hundred metres this emerges into the car park of the Village (Sandison) Hall.

Go through the car park and down the entrance ramp. Here, turn immediately right behind the Achray House Hotel and follow the track behind more houses (C).

This track emerges on to the main road beside the Four Seasons Hotel, with wonderful views looking up the length of Loch Earn. There are often ducks and geese on the foreshore, at this point.

Turn left along the main road, returning to the start at the Information Point.

Please zoom in to view the map.

You may shorten your walk by going through the play park (A) and then through the gateposts on to Earn View and then Shoemaker's Lane and back to the Information Point, or by going down the lane by the side of the Achray House Hotel at point (B) and turning left on to the main road.

Updated February 2021

View the text only as a PDF File for printing (meets accessibilty tests carried out by the eAccessibility PDF checker and are based on the WCAG 2.0 PDF Techniques).

View the text and photos as a PDF file for printing (meets accessibilty tests carried out by the eAccessibility PDF checker and are based on the WCAG 2.0 PDF Techniques).

Lochearnhead – St Fillans - Dalchonzie – OS Landranger, sheet 51 or Explorer, sheet 368

Distance: 10 miles (16 km)

Time: 5 hours

For Points of interest along the way – roughly from West to East - please scroll down.

We are in the process of trying to develop the disused railway path that links Lochearnhead to St Fillans and then on to Dalchonzie. The route runs the length of Loch Earn, on the slopes just north of the main road (A85), behind St Fillans, then crosses the road (and the River Earn) at Tynreoch and on to the old Dalchonzie Halt. (From here, the ‘Back Road’ is a very pleasant access route through to Comrie.)

The views from the elevated section along Loch Earn are truly beautiful. Among the many benefits for using the old railway lines are that they are traffic free and relatively level; thus making them ideal for children and the disabled.

See also the Loch Earn Railway Path Facebook page - 

Opening up this link will also have enormous benefits for consolidating access to the slopes and countryside, either side of the route. It will offer the opportunity to connect with the National Cycle Network and create a viable East/West long distance route, potentially part of a Scotland – Coast to Coast (SC2C Oban to Dundee) and Pilgrim Way (Iona to St Andrews, including the Three Saints Way). It will also make possible, a local ‘Circle’ around Loch Earn.

The first phase* has been to rebuild a bridge over the Glentarken Burn in 2013, which was the only major obstacle that prevented walking from Lochearnhead to St Fillans. The path now needs improving to meet the needs of a wider range of users.Phase 2* was completed in 2016 and runs from Station Road at the east end of St Fillans to Tynreoch. View before and after photos in a new window HERE.  This creates the much-needed safe route through to Comrie.

Phase 3* was completed in August 2017 and runs west from Station Road behind the village and involved opening up the old tunnel.

* Loch Earn Railway Path Project Plans

Click the image above to view the Plans in a new window (pdf)

Page 1 shows phases 4, 5 and 6 (proposed)

Page 2 shows phases 1, 2 and 3 (completed)

We would sincerely like to thank all the hard work, help, support and funding from: Drummond Estates, LLTTNPA, Sustrans, SNH, Gannochy Trust, LEADER, Paths for All, PKC, PKCT, AB Gairns, CR Contracting North Ltd & TP&E; this has enabled a construction of such high standard. We would also like to thank Lady Willoughby de Eresby, who very kindly said a few words and officially opened the phase 2 section.

Loch Earn Railway Path – Points of Interest (Lochearnhead to Comrie)

Points of interest – roughly from West to East

Distance:           3½ miles (5½ km)

Time:                  Allow 2 hours

Grade:                Strenuous

Colour Code:      Blue

An historic walk, starting beside the Loch and River Earn, crossing St Fillans Golf Course and passing beside an ancient Chapel and Graveyard. This walk culminates with a climb of about 400ft (100m) to St Fillans Seat at the summit of Dundurn Hill. From the vantage of this Hill Fort site, spectacular views can be enjoyed in all directions.

Starting on easy paths and tracks, then across an open meadow to a narrow, faint and steep hill path. Please note: the grass slopes and rocks on Dundurn Hill can be very slippery when wet – good grip footwear is recommended. Care should also be taken to avoid the dangerous and precipitous crags on the east side of the hill. (It is not an easy climb up the hill when the bracken reaches full summer maturity).

Starting at the Village Information point, cross the footbridge spanning the River Earn and immediately turn right. Follow the path to the South Loch Road and there, turn left for about ½ mile, past the weir on your left and St Fillans Golf Club on your right. Just before the road bends left (to go over the old Dundurn Bridge), take the track to the right onto the golf course. Look both ways and take care crossing two fairways (please give way to golfers playing across the track). Keep to this track, which then skirts the golf course. Turn left through a farm gate, down a straight tarmac ‘road’ with the walled boundary of the golf course on your left.

Half way along this track (on your right) are the ruins of the Pre-Reformation Church, St Fillans Chapel and its Kirk Yard.

These ruins date back to the 1300’s and the burial ground is the traditional resting place of the Stewarts of Ardvorlich. Access can be gained via a gate (or steps built into the wall) at the far corner of the site. 

Continue along the track and go straight on through the farm gate at the far end, with the wastewater treatment plant on your right. Just into the field, turn right and walk along the top of a small embankment until you come to a small burn. Cross the burn via some stepping-stones and then angle left across the field towards a stile at the base of Dundurn Hill.  Climb the stile and bear left, then follow a faint path that slowly angles up to the right.The route to the top is steep, making one corkscrew turn from base to summit. Follow the path up grassy slopes and rocks. The path becomes even fainter towards the top, on the far side, but grassy ramps lead round to the summit.The exposed rock at the west end of the summit is known as St Fillan’s Chair or Seat and the wonderful panoramic views of the valley below make it obvious why this was once a strategic Iron Age and then Pictish Hill Fort.

Return to the village by retracing your steps to the golf course and then by crossing the road bridge (which is straight on as you exit the golf course) and back to the village, using the main road.

View the text as a PDF File for printing

See also Loch Lomond and the Trosachs National Park website

Distance: 5 kms (3 miles)

Time: 1.5 hours

Grade: Moderate

A circular walk on forestry tracks that climbs to about 200 metres (650 ft) on the slopes behind St Fillans, giving lovely views over the village and along Loch Earn.

Starting at the Village Information Point (by the river footbridge near the Village Store), cross the Main Road and enter Shoemaker's Lane opposite. At the top of the Lane, go between the gateposts into the playing field area behind the Village.

At the Play Park Information Sign, turn right and follow the path that skirts the Play Park and then zig-zags up the old railway embankment on to the Railway Path.

Here turn right, signposted towards Comrie and Dalchonzie, and follow the path down to Station Road, passing a crocodile on the way.

At the road, turn left and immediately pass between the old railway abutments.

At the top of a short ramp ahead, fork left onto a forestry track angling Westwards up the hillside.

Keep to this track, passing through a deer fence gate as it zig-zags up the hill.

As the track starts levelling off, there is a bench on the left with a view point looking East over the village, the Golf Course and the Glen beyond.

Continue on to find a picnic table and a small cairn, defining the highest point of this walk, with stunning views over Loch Earn to the hills beyond. This is an ideal spot to pause for refreshments and to enjoy the scenery in all directions.

The same track now starts to descend and in about 400 metres reaches another deer fence gate at a 'T' junction with the Glentarken Track. Go through the gate and turn left,

zig-zagging all the way down to an old bridge over the dismantled railway track. (The 'Loch Earn Railway Path' running under this bridge is in the process of being upgraded to an all-ability route between Comrie, St Fillans and Lochearnhead.)

In about another 50 metres you will meet a junction with another track; turn left and head East downhill,

passing the Hydro-Electric Power Station on your left, to the Main Road at the Four Seasons Hotel, with the Loch opening out before you. Continue heading East along the Main Road, with the Loch on your right, and back to the start at the Information Point.

Updated March 2021

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Distance:                     3½ miles (5½ km)

Time:                           Allow 1½ hours

Grade:                         Easy

Colour Code:               Green

A lovely stroll through quiet countryside, skirting farmland and through light broadleaf woodland. Starting beside the River Earn and then across St Fillans Golf Course with views of the old Dundurn Chapel and Hill Fort site. Look out for Roe & Red Deer, Dippers & Kingfishers by the river and Osprey over the Loch.

A low level walk, starting on even paths and roads, then easy tracks over the golf course and beside farmland, with a slight climb to the hydro intake where a good location for picnics can be found. There are a few farm gates to pass through and a deer fence stile to negotiate.

Start at the Village Information Point by the footbridge, near the Village Store and opposite the Arran Brewery Hotel. (The start follows the same route to Dundurn Hill – Walk 3.)

Cross the footbridge spanning the River Earn and immediately turn right past the Village War Memorial.  Follow the path a short way around the end of Loch Earn to the South Loch Road and there, turn left. Walk along the road for about ½ mile, past the weir on your left and St Fillans Golf Club on your right.

Just before the road bends left (over the old Dundurn Bridge), take the track to the right, over the golf course.  Look both ways and take care crossing two fairways. (Please give way to golfers playing across the track.) Having crossed the golf course, fork left.

Keep to this track, which then skirts the golf course and turns right, passing Wester Dundurn farmhouse and outbuildings on your right.

Keep straight forward on the track for about 100 metres (i.e. forking left)

and climb over the deer fence by a four bar high stile, to the right of the locked vehicle gate.

The track turns eastwards, under trees and beside a wall, for about 200 metres, then through a gate out into an open field. Follow the track right, along the edge of the field, weaving its way to the corner and yet another gate. Go through this gate, 

following the path as it climbs gently through a wooded area with lovely mature beech trees. After a short while a small dam comes into view, set in beautiful surroundings. (Please remember to close gates behind you. Thanks.)

The Allt Ghoinean burn is claimed to be the Gonan or Monan of Sir Walter Scott’s poem, ‘The Lady of the Lake’.

"The stag at eve had drunk his fill, where danced the moon on Monan’s rill."

Return to the village by retracing your steps.

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Distance:                   2 miles (3 km)

Time:                         Allow 1 hour

Grade:                       Moderate

Colour Code:            Orange

A lovely circular walk, climbing about 140 metres onto the slopes behind St Fillans, giving superb views over Loch Earn.

Look out for red squirrels, deer and woodpeckers. Also, Osprey can sometimes be seen searching for food over the waters of the Loch.

This walk starts on roads but gains height via vehicle tracks, then onto an uneven and sometimes narrow slippery path that follows the contour above the village. The path weaves its way across the hillside, over a small section of loose scree and eventually joins and descends via another track to the old Railway Station (now a caravan park) and back to St Fillans.

From the Village Information Point, by the footbridge over the River Earn, walk west along the Main Road for about 400 metres to The Four Seasons Hotel.  Just beyond the hotel, fork right up a ‘tarmac’ track that leads past the Hydro-Electric Power Station. Keep going for about 200 metres, climbing all the time, passed 'The Sheiling' until you reach a junction with another track on the right, signposted Wester Glentarken via Glen Tarken.

This path meanders and traverses the hillside for about ½ mile (800 metres),

then passes through a ‘kissing’ gate, eventually emerging onto a wide ‘forestry’ track overlooking the Station Caravan Park ahead.  Take this track down the hill, bending right between the old railway bridge abutments into Station Road.

After only a few metres, turn right along a tarmac path signposted: 'Play Park and Railway Path West'.

The path runs between two fences and then bends up on to the dismantled track bed, passing a crocodile on your left.

Continue on this path for about 50 metres and then turn left into a smaller path (beside a Pensive Grouse), signposted 'St Fillans Play Park'.

Take this zig-zag path down towards the play park.

At the play park bear left and take the track out of the field on to Shoemaker Lane and back to the Information Point on the main road.

Updated February 2021

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DISTANCE: 3.5 MILES (5.5 KM) – THERE AND BACK 

TIME: 2 HOURS – THERE AND BACK

ACCENT: 350 METRES

START/FINISH: ST FILLANS INFORMATION POINT AND FOOTBRIDGE

A fairly strenuous walk on good paths, climbing from the Lochside to a rewarding viewpoint on the hills behind St Fillans.

From the footbridge and Information Point in the centre of the village, walk West along the Main Road for about 400 metres to The Four Seasons Hotel. Just beyond the hotel, fork right up a tarmac track that leads past the St Fillans Hydro-Electric Power Station. From here, follow this on for about another 200 metres, gently climbing all the time, until you reach a house on the left called ‘The Sheiling’. Just beyond, take the track that turns sharp right, signposted Wester Glentarken via Glen Tarken.  Continue climbing and you will shortly pass over the disused railway line and then to the side of a track gate.

Continue uphill on the track for another 300 metres and follow it round a sharp left bend, ignoring a wooden gate on the right. After a further 350 metres, keep straight on following the sign for Wester Glentarken, ignoring a metal gated track going off to the right. After another 450 metres (bending right and then left), at a junction, turn right and go through a metal deer gate. In a short while, climbing more gently, go through a second metal deer gate. As the ground levels off, keep to the main track that turns sharp left up the hill. (For a slight detour, if you continue forward at this point for about 100 metres, you will find the end of a tunnel, tucked away on the left; this leads all the way to Glen Lednock! The flat area to the right is the ‘spoil heap’ from this construction.) Follow the main track up hill to the Hydro-Electric Power Station Surge Shaft and a bench with a view overlooking Loch Earn.

The Surge Shaft collects and delivers the head of water to drive the turbines below. Most of the water comes by tunnel from Loch Lednock.

Please retrace your steps to the start-point at the centre of St Fillans.

However, as an alternative on your decent, you can take the track on the left, half way down the hill, through the metal gate (or wooden pedestrian gate to the side). This track gently rises for about 200 metres to a picnic bench but then descends all the way back into St Fillans at the top of Station Road. Follow this road straight down to the Main Road, turn right and after a short distance back to the start point.

Updated February 2021

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Distance:                     6 miles (10 km)

Time:                           Allow 3 hours

Grade:                         Moderate

Colour Code:               Yellow

A very pleasant walk, gently climbing up through Glentarken Wood to the ruins of the old village, Morell, with lovely views over Loch Earn and the surrounding hills, returning via the Glentarken Track and the Loch Earn Railway Path.

This walk climbs to a height of 200 metres, at first on a vehicle track and then on narrow, muddy and uneven paths. Keeping at this height, the path faintly weaves its way across open moorland and then descends via another track to the railway path that leads back to St Fillans. Look out for red squirrels, deer and woodpeckers. Osprey can sometimes be seen searching for food over the waters of Loch Earn.

Starting at the Village Information Point by the footbridge (near the Village Store and opposite the Arran Brewery Hotel), walk west along the main road to The Four Seasons Hotel. Just beyond the hotel, fork right, up a ‘tarmac’ track that leads past the Hydro Electric Power Station.

Keep on this track past two concrete railway arches, climbing all the time, until you come level with the disused railway line on your right. 

Pass through the opening, 

join the railway path and continue west for about 300 metres. 

Take a narrow path (signposted to Glentarken) that forks right off the railway path and angle up the slope through Glentarken Wood. 

Continue gently climbing 

and you will cross a burn by the small wooden Allt An Fhionn Bridge, built in 1996 by the 127 Field Squadron, 78 Engineers Regiment.

Keep to this path and where it meets the forestry track, continue uphill. (The forestry track forking left downhill meets the disused railway path, and this can be used as a short cut back.) Follow the track uphill, which gradually narrows to a single path and levels out. 

Eventually go through a deer fence gate that’s almost at the brow of the hill.

The stone ruins of the old village of Morell can be seen on your left. This is a lovely spot to stop for refreshments and enjoy the views over Loch Earn to Ben Vorlich, Stuc a’ Chroin and beyond.

Continue following the faint path, heading towards a yellow flag and then a cottage in the distance. Pass between the cottage and a ruined building (this old croft is known as Jerusalem) 

and pick up a track that descends down to a metal  bridge that crosses the Glentarken Burn. 

This track then rises and bears left & right to join the main Glentarken track. Turn left and follow the track zig-zagging down towards Loch Earn. 

At the junction with the railway path, turn left and head back towards St Fillans.

Leave the old railway path by the access on your right (used on the way up) and join the parallel track. Follow this track down,

passing the Hydro Electric Power Station again and retracing your steps along the main road to the start.

Map 1 (East end of walk)

Map 2 (West end of walk)

Updated March 2021

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Follow the link for additional walks further afield provided by Walk Highlands.

For those adults (over 18) who wish to improve and learn swim technique especially in front crawl for both indoor and outdoor swimming events, e.g. Triathlons, Iron Man, Open Water swims.

(This may be your first time! from first time to professional sports competitors)

If you can already swim one stroke and wish to learn and improve your front crawl technique for the above events, then this will enable you to:

• Swim with less strokes - increased stroke length
• Swim more relaxed - breathing and relaxed swim technique
• Swim with more efficient stroke technique
• Swim faster with less effort
• Improve swim fitness, both aerobic and anaerobic
• Be prepared for open water & tri events
• Meet other people with the same interests

Every Sunday at Strathearn Community Campus, Crieff ...meeting at Swim reception at 3 pm, swim from 3:30 to 4:30 pm.

For further information, & to show interest please contact: John:

Mob: 07900565814

Tel:   01764 671072

e-mail: [email protected]

FISTC (Fellow of the Institute of Swimming Teachers & Coaches)

ASA (Amateur Swim Association) Swim Coach / Advanced Teacher

Coach to Amateur & Professional Sports Athlete's.

The Loch Earn Boat Race is an annual event that takes place in April and is now in its 16th year. It is a great day out and raises a few thousand pounds each year for local charities. The race teams comprise of four people in a boat rowing 7 miles along the length of Loch Earn from Lochearnhead to St Fillans.  Average times are 1¾ to 3 hours (depending on the wind speed and direction). All of the boats are donated by Drummond Fisheries. First Aiders are based on land and on one of the safety boats continually patrolling the loch during the event. 

Unfortunately, this year the event had to be cancelled due to unforseen circumstances.

However, plans are aleady afoot for the 2020 event.

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