The Gazetteer for Guidebook Series:

Crianlarich

Produced from Information Contained Within

The Gazetteer for Scotland. Tourist Guide of

Index of Pages

Introduction to the settlement of Crianlarich p.3

Features of interest in Crianlarich and the surrounding areas p.5

Tourist attractions in Crianlarich and the surrounding areas p.8

Towns near Crianlarich p.9

Famous people related to Crianlarich p.11

This tourist guide is produced from The Gazetteer for Scotland http://www.scottish-places.info It contains information centred on the settlement of Crianlarich, including tourist attractions, features of interest, historical events and famous people associated with the settlement. Reproduction of this content is strictly prohibited without the consent of the authors ©The Editors of The Gazetteer for Scotland, 2011. Maps contain data provided by EDINA ©Crown Copyright and Database Right, 2011. Introduction to the city of Crianlarich 3

A village at the junction of Glen Falloch with Glen Fillan in W Council Area, Crianlarich developed at the junction of three railways, two of which survive: Settlement Information - and Glasgow-Fort William. Crianlarich is also at the junction of the northbound which skirts and the A85 Perth-Oban road. The Settlement Type: village village is a centre for forestry, the surrounding farming community and tourism and has hotels and a Youth Population: 182 (1991) Hostel. Three miles to the west are the scant remains of Tourist Rating: a chapel dedicated to St Fillan by Robert the Bruce as a thank offering for the victory at . St Fillan's National Grid: NN 384 253 Bell was preserved in the churchyard for nearly 1000 years and the St Fillan crozier, known as the Quigrich, Crianlarich Latitude: 56.39°N was in the custody of its hereditary keepers, the Longitude: -4.62°W Dewars, until it passed, along with the bell, to the National Museum of Antiquities (Museum of Scotland) in Council Area Name: . Stirling

Crianlarich Map of Crianlarich and surrounding areas 4

Features of Interest

7 1 6 2 Beinn a' Chroin 5 13 3 Ben Tulachan 14 4 4 5 Ben Challum 1 6 Beinn Cheathaich 7 6 19 7 8 20 9 10 18 11 16 12 8 17 9 13 4 14 15 Loch Doine 16 12 17 Loch Oss 18 Loch Iubhair 11 19 Loch Essan 1 20 Loch Maragan 3 3 10 15 5 2 1 8 2

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1 1 2 3 Monachylemore 4 Clifton 5 6 Cononish 7 Innishewan 8 Inverlochlarig Features of interest in Crianlarich 5

Beinn Chabhair Rising to a height of 933m (3061 feet) northeast of the northern head of Loch Lomond, Stirling Council Area, Beinn Chabhair has a summit marked by a large cairn perched on top of a small crag. Its name is derived from the Gaelic for "hill of the hawk".

Beinn a' Chroin Located south of Crianlarich in Stirling, Beinn a' Chroin rises to a height of 940m (3084 feet). Its summit is located at the eastern end of a half-mile (1 km) long ridge and its name is derived from the Gaelic for "hill of danger".

Ben Tulachan Located southeast of Crianlarich in Stirling Council Area, Ben Tulachan (Gael: Beinn Tulaichean) rises to a height of 946m (3104 feet). It forms a long north-to-south ridge with Cruach Ardrain and is generally regarded as a summit of the latter rather than a separate mountain, although is formally classified as a distinct . Its name is derived from the Gaelic for "hill of the hillocks."

Ben More A massive conical peak of N Stirling, Ben More rises to 1174m (3852 feet), meeting the requirements for a Munro, to the south of 3 miles (5 km) east of Crianlarich. It is the second highest peak in the Southern Highlands (next to Ben Lawyers at 1214m / 3984 feet) and there is nothing to the south which is as high, in the entire . Its name is derived from the Gaelic for "great hill". A snow patch at Cuidhe Chrom, on the mountain's northern flank, usually lasts well into the summer before it melts.

A British European Airways Viscount aircraft, which was on a test flight, crashed into the mountain during a blizzard on 19th January 1973, killing its crew of four. A memorial was unveiled at the entrance to Crianlarich Church in 2005. A Wessex rescue helicopter crashed on the mountain on 1st February 1987 after its rotor blade hit a rock while attempting to help a fallen climber. Although the crew survived, a member of the Mountain Rescue Team was killed.

Ben Challum A mountain in NW Stirling, Ben Challum (Gael: Beinn Challum), rising to a height of 1025m (3363 feet), is the most prominent peak at the head of and is located 4 miles (6.5 km) east of Tyndrum. A large cairn overlooking the steep and rocky north face is the true summit and is located behind the southern top. Its name is derived from the Gaelic for "Malcolm's Hill".

Beinn Cheathaich A peak in the Breadalbane Hills, Stirling Council Area, Beinn Cheathaich rises to 937m (3074 feet) between Glen Dochart and Glen Lochay.

Beinn Odhar Located on the border between and Stirling Council Areas, Beinn Odhar rises to a height of 901m (2955 feet) to the south of and north of the settlements of Clifton and Tyndrum.

Ben Oss Rising to a height of 1029m (3376 feet) southwest of Tyndrum in NW Stirling Council Area, Ben Oss forms part of the Tyndrum Hills and is also an eastward extension of . Its summit takes the shape of a Features of interest in Crianlarich 6

whaleback ridge running from southwest to northeast and its name is derived from the Gaelic for "loch outlet hill".

Beinn Dubhchraig Rising to a height of 978m (3209 feet) in the Tyndrum Hills to the west of Crianlarich in Stirling Council Area, Beinn Dubhchraig is an eastward extension of Ben Lui. It has a steep southern face with broken crags below its level summit ridge and derives its name from the Gaelic for "black rock hill".

An Caisteal Located in the hills to the south of Crianlarich in Stirling Council Area, An Caisteal rises to a height of 995m (3264 feet). Its name, which originates from Gaelic and means "the castle", probably arises from a particularly prominent rocky knoll located close to the summit.

Cruach Ardrain Rising to a height of 1046m (3432 feet) southeast of Crianlarich in Stirling, Cruach Ardrain is one of a number of mountains encircling the village of Crianlarich. The name Cruach Ardrain is derived from the Gaelic for 'stack of the high part'.

Stob Binnein Located southeast of Crianlarich in Stirling, this peak rises to a height of 1165m (3822 feet). The summit is found on a little plateau which has been formed where two ridges join. Its name originates from Gaelic and means "hill of the anvil".

Meall Glas Meall Glas, which rises to a height of 959m (3146 feet), is located northeast of Crianlarich in Stirling. It does not have any particular mountainous characteristics, but rather is one of two high points on the moorland. It is flat topped, but craggy areas can be found on its southern slopes. Its name originates from Gaelic and means "green grey hill".

Sgiath Chuil Sgiath Chuil rises to a height of 921m (3022 feet) and is located west of Killin in Stirling. It does not have any particular mountainous characteristics, but rather is one of two high points on the moorland. The summit, on top of a small crag, is rocky, and is said to resemble the prow of a ship. Its name originates from Gaelic and means "back wing".

Loch Doine A small loch in the district of Stirling Council Area, Loch Doine lies immediately west of Loch Voil to which it is joined.

Loch Dochart A loch in northwest Stirling Council Area, Loch Dochart lies at the western end of Glen Dochart, a mile to the east of Crianlarich and in the shadow of Ben More. On a small wooded island in the loch stand the ruins of a castle, a former stronghold of the Campbells of Lochawe described by Dorothy Wordsworth in September 1803 as 'a place of retirement and peace'. Features of interest in Crianlarich 7

Loch Oss A lochan situated in a corrie between Ben Oss and Beinn Dubhchraig, Loch Oss lies 6 miles (10 km) southwest of Tyndrum in northwest Stirling Council Area. The Allt Oss flows southwards out of the loch

Loch Iubhair A loch in Glen Dochart, Stirling Council Area, Loch Iubhair lies in the shadow of Ben More, immediately east of Loch Dochart and 4 miles (6 km) east of Crianlarich. The flows through the loch and on to .

Loch Iubhair in Glen Dochart

Loch Essan A small loch in the Breadalbane Hills, Stirling Council Area, Loch Essan lies 2 miles (3 km) to the north of Loch Dochart. It is the source of the Allt Essan which flows southeastwards past Auchessan to join the River Dochart opposite the north-facing slopes of Ben More.

Loch Maragan A small loch in the hills of Breadalbane, Loch Maragan lies beyond Creag Liaragan, 2 miles (3 km) due north of Loch Dochart at the western end of Glen Dochart. Tourist attractions in Crianlarich 8

Falls of Falloch A scenic cascade on the River Falloch, the Falls of Falloch lie close to the main road midway between Crianlarich and the top end of Loch Lomond in Stirling Council Area. Towns and districts near Crianlarich 9

Tyndrum A small village in NW Stirling Council Area at the head of Strathfillan, Tyndrum lies 37 miles (60 km) northwest of Stirling. Pilgrims once came to St. Fillans Priory, 1½ miles (2.5 km) to the southeast, to bathe in the curative waters of the nearby Holy Pool. Tyndrum is a key service centre for tourism and the surrounding farming community and is situated just south of the junction of roads leading to Oban and Fort William that were initially built as military roads in the mid-18th century. Lead was first mined nearby in the 1740s by Sir Robert Clifton and gold was discovered in the 19th century, with a short-lived gold-rush bringing an influx of people. In the 1870s Tyndrum became a rail head and then a railway hub with two stations (Tyndrum Upper on the and Tyndrum Lower on the Oban branch) serving a growing number of anglers and hill walkers. Britain's only gold mine is still to be found nearby at Coronish, but it operates only when gold prices make it economically viable.

Ardlui The settlement of Ardlui in Argyll and Bute is located at the foot of Glen Falloch on the western shore of Loch Lomond, 7 miles (11 km) north of Tarbert and 10 miles (16 km) southeast of Crianlarich. There is an old droving inn at Inverarnan nearby and a pier at the north end of the loch once served the West Highland Railway.

Monachylemore A location in the Balquhidder district of Stirling Council Area, Monachylemore lies at the foot of the Monachyle Glen, between Loch Voil and Loch Doine. Meall Monachyle rises to 647m (2123 feet) in the Braes of Balquhidder to the north and to the east are the Ruveag Falls on the Monachyle Burn.

Clifton A village on the northwest border of Stirling Council Area, Clifton lies immediately north of Tyndrum at the head of Glen Lochy and at the junction of the A 82 and A 85 roads. The village developed in the 1830s in association with local lead mines on the Breadalbane Estate.

Inverarnan A roadside location with a Drovers' Inn on the western boundary of Stirling Council Area, Inverarnan is situated by the River Falloch at the south end of Glenfalloch, near the head of Loch Lomond and 8½ miles (14 km) north of Tarbet.

Cononish A location with a farm at the far west of Stirling Council area, lying in Glen Cononish, 2 miles (3 km) southwest of Tyndrum. Today, Cononish is associated with a commercial gold-mine, lying on the hillside to the west.

Innishewan A location in Glen Dochart, Stirling Council Area, Innishewan House lies immediately north of the River Dochart near the main road from Killin to Crianlarich. The MacNabs of Innishewan are buried in an enclosure here.

Inverlochlarig A hamlet on the River Larig, E of the head of Loch Lomond in Stirling, Inverlochlarig sits 6 miles (9 km) southeast of Crianlarich and is believed to be the place where Rob Roy MacGregor died in 1734. Towns and districts near Crianlarich 10 Famous People related to Crianlarich 11

Saint Fillan ( - c.777) St. Fillan St Fillan was born in Ireland, the son of Feriach and St Kentigerna. Early in the 8th C., Fillan arrived in Scotland with his uncle (later St. Comgan), mother and brothers. They settled at Loch Duich, just east of the . Fillan later moved south to make his home in Strathfillan, at the head of Glen Dochart, where he built a church. Legend has it that, during the construction, a wolf killed an ox which was being used to carry materials. Fillan is said to have convinced the wolf of the error of its ways and it took the place of the dead ox. Next to the church, near Auchentyre in Strathfillan, was the Holy Pool, which is said to have been blessed by the Saint, and consequently developed healing powers, proving particularly curative for the mentally ill who were attracted in large numbers over succeeding centuries. St. Fillan is closely associated with Killin, where he is said to have built a mill and set up a market. His healing stones are now kept in the Breadalbane Folklore Centre in the village.

Fillan travelled around Scotland; he visited , moved to Luncarty and then Struan (). He later visited Forgan (near Pickletillem, Fife), proceeding to St. Andrew's Monastery, before spending time as a hermit in St Fillan's cave at Pittenweem. It is also likely that he travelled to Wigtownshire, because the villages of New Luce and Sorbie both had churches dedicated to St. Fillan.

He died at an old age and was buried in Strathfillan. Much later, his relics were taken to Bannockburn, where they are said to have helped Robert the Bruce win victory. Bruce later founded a Priory in Strathfillan - 2 miles (3 km) SE of Tyndrum - in Fillan's honour. Other relics, including Fillan's staff and bell, were originally kept at the church in Strathfillan. These items were both removed from Scotland, but returned in the late 19th C., when they were deposited in what is now the Museum of Scotland.

King Robert I (1274 - 1329) Robert the Bruce Scottish monarch. Defender of Scottish independence. Bruce's birthplace is not definitively known, but was either in Essex (England) or at Turnberry Castle (South Ayrshire). He was the eldest son of Robert de Bruce, 5th Lord Annandale and Earl of Carrick. Despite somewhat wavering loyalty in his earlier years, Bruce became a hero of the Wars of Independence, eventually being crowned King of Scotland at Scone in 1306. He defeated the English King Edward II at Bannockburn on the 24th June 1314. He is supposed to have been encouraged towards perseverance and eventual victory by watching a spider build a web in the cave in which he was hiding. Bruce died of leprosy at Cardross Castle on the . His body was buried at Dunfermline Abbey and his heart was interred at Melrose Abbey after being carried to the Crusades. His daughter Marjorie married Walter the High Steward, their son Robert II initiating the Stewart line of royalty.

Statue of Robert the Bruce at Battle Site, Bannockburn