64-527: The Killin Railway was a locally promoted railway line built to connect the town of Killin to the Callander and Oban Railway main line nearby. It opened in 1886, and carried tourist traffic for steamers on Loch Tay as well as local business. The directors and the majority of the shareholders were local people, and the little company retained its independence until 1923. When the adjacent main line closed in 1965,
128-480: A base for exploration of both the highlands and central Scotland. Common day trips to places such as Oban and Glencoe in the Highlands, the market towns of Aberfeldy and Crieff , as well as the lowland urban centres of Glasgow, Stirling, Perth, Dundee and Edinburgh are all within a short distance by car. In the immediate area there is a great deal to explore, particularly for outdoor enthusiasts. The village has
192-462: A general purpose vessel by Mrs. Sinclair of Kenmore. She took her name from the third name of the Countess of Breadalbane. She was designed by G.L. Watson of Glasgow and built by A.G. Gifford of Leith. Her boiler and engines were supplied by Ross & Duncan of Govan. She was 52 feet (16 m) long and 11 feet (3.4 m) in breadth and had a gross weight of 22 long tons (22,000 kg). In 1887 she
256-522: A lack of community transmission any surviving speakers in the Killin area are likely to be the final generation of native Perthshire Gaelic speakers. The decline of Gaelic in the area is in keeping with the trend across Scotland and can be attributed to a combination of events including the Highland clearances (Gaelic: Fuadaichean nan Gàidheal ) which resulted in great swathes of locals being forcibly removed from
320-481: A line was planned to meet the C&;OR further west and at a lower altitude. Even so, the branch would be four miles (6.4 km) long with a gradient of 1 in 50. It could be built for about £18,000. At the Killin end, the line would be extended to a pier on Loch Tay , serving the steamer excursion traffic on the loch. Share subscriptions locally were slow to be taken up at first, but with the help of Breadalbane and others,
384-652: A narrow, multi-arched stone bridge carrying the main A827 road into Killin. The main street then leads down towards the Loch at the confluence of the rivers Dochart ( Scottish Gaelic : Abhainn Dochard ) and Lochay ( Scottish Gaelic : Abhainn Lòchaidh ). The A827 provides road access from the South and West, with travel times from the main Scottish cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow of approximately 90 minutes. The A827 road also provides access from
448-404: A pattern of gradual language shift away from Gaelic towards English. Despite this it was still common to hear native Perthshire Gaelic in the community in and around Killin in the 1960s and 70s. Indeed, the 1961 census recorded 138 speakers in Killin along with the last recorded monolingual speaker. In the 1971 census there were 120 Gaelic speakers but none of these were monolingual. By the time of
512-573: A private house. The trackbed now forms part of the Rob Roy Way , a cycle path/walk that connects Drymen with Pitlochry . The path incorporates much of the trackbed of the old Callander and Oban Railway. Killin Killin ( / ˌ k ɪ l ˈ ɪ n / ; Scottish Gaelic : Cill Fhinn ) is a village in Perthshire in the central Highlands of Scotland . Situated at the western head of Loch Tay , it
576-850: A rich history of folklore and customs which have been passed down mainly through the Gaelic oral tradition. There are many local accounts of supernatural creatures and occurrences. These include accounts of Each-uisge (Water horses) who were said to lure children to the waterside and drown them when they would attempt to mount them, Tarbh-Uisge (Water bulls) who were thought to be dangerous to humans and reproduce with regular cattle, Sìthean (Faeries) who were mischievous and dangerous, Ùruisg (water spirits) who were troublemakers and vandals, and Ban-sìth (Banshee), whose screams were signs of impending death. There were also many stories of people with supernatural powers such as witches or those with An Dà Shealladh (the second sight) who could foresee future events -
640-532: A silver lining, for the Callander had a considerable amount of coal to deliver in the Killin area, by road cartage, which could not operate. The Killin Railway could at least get the coal to Killin, and could bring farmers' produce out. The contractor's engine was used. Marindin's re-arranged inspection was successful, and the line had an opening ceremony on 13 March 1886. It opened for public passenger operation on 1 April 1886. The Callander and Oban station named Killin
704-416: A single platform and no run-round loop; terminating trains propelled their train on to the gradient, and the engine moved to the goods yard. The coaches then ran back to the platform under the force of gravity, controlled by the guard using the brake, and the engine was coupled at the junction end. The Westinghouse brake was used in normal train operation. Loch Tay station had a single platform also, but there
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#1732863143099768-478: A steep and rugged track. The difficult local terrain prevented any question of the line to Oban passing through Killin, and local people were for the time being happy enough that they had a railway connection of a sort; indeed tourist trade was brought in to the town. The Callander and Oban Railway had in fact been absorbed by the Caledonian Railway but continued to be managed semi-autonomously. The Caledonian
832-666: A thriving local community and hosts a number of annual events. These include: Loch Tay Steamboat Company The Loch Tay Steamboat Company operated steamer services on Loch Tay Scotland from 1882 to 1921. In 1882 a company named the Loch ;Tay Steamboat Company was established by Gavin Campbell, 1st Marquess of Breadalbane to operate steamer services on Loch Tay . The steamers operated between piers at Kenmore , Fearnan , Ardtalnaig , Ardeonaig , Lawers and Killin . The journey of 15 miles (24 km) from one end of
896-464: Is The Killin Collection , a culturally important body of Gaelic songs collected from the area, by Charles Stewart in 1884. The Gaelic Local Studies summary for Perthshire and Stirling provides an insight into the place of Gaelic in Killin over more than a century: In 1881 Killin village and rural Killin recorded speakers numbers of 340 (71.9%) and 422 (80.1%) respectively, when Gaelic language ability
960-540: Is a popular tourist destination and a thriving community with a host of local groups including a drama group, badminton club and youth group. The village is also host to number of practical amenities for locals and visitors. The Killin News is a free community newspaper issued every 2 months and available by subscription or to be found in local shops and businesses. There are several hotels and more traditional Inns with restaurants catering to locals and hotel residents. The village
1024-572: Is administered by the Stirling Council area. Killin is a historic conservation village and sits within the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park . It is the central settlement of the historic region of Breadalbane . Killin is notable as a historically important part of the Gaidhealtachd of Perthshire and a centre of wildlife and adventure tourism. In July 2023, Killin was voted one of
1088-588: Is also well equipped with several cafes, a post office and chemist, and several small shops including two gift shops, and an outdoor centre (where outdoor equipment can be hired), as well as a small but well stocked Co-op food store. There is a Petrol station available at Lix Toll, at the junction between the main A85 road and the A827 which leads into Killin. There is a well-equipped Children's play park in Breadalbane Park in
1152-627: Is still on Inchbuie in the River Dochart, just below the falls, and is accessible from the bridge. Kinnell House was the seat of the MacNabs. A well-preserved prehistoric stone circle (possibly 'restored' to improve its appearance) known as Kinnell Stone Circle can be seen in the grounds of the house. To the north of the village lie the ruins of the Campbells of Breadalbane stronghold of Finlarig Castle , with its associated chapel. The growing power of
1216-465: The Ben Lawers range, that provide an alpine backdrop to the village. The name Killin (Cill Fhinn), is Gaelic and reflects the predominant language of the area for most of recorded history. Killin is sometimes translated into English as the "fair or white church" but is sometimes also translated as "Finn's church, or cell". The latter interpretation links to local legend that Fingal, the mythical hero of
1280-530: The Ossian saga, is buried in the hills overlooking the village. The history of Killin is ancient and there is plentiful evidence of prehistoric habitation of the area including several iron-age artificial islands or Crannog 's along the shores of Loch Tay - a reconstructed example can be seen at the Scottish Crannog Centre . Other evidence of prehistoric habitation include a preserved standing stone circle,
1344-461: The 1922 season. She was scrapped at Kenmore in 1929. A small cargo steamer built in wood in 1882. She was lost in a storm in 1907 A cargo vessel constructed in 1882 of larch from Drummond Hill. She was 70 feet (21 m) long, with a keel length of 60 feet (18 m), and breadth of 14 feet (4.3 m). She had a gross weight of 36 long tons (37,000 kg). She was built by James Fenton of Perth and fitted with engines similar to those of Lady of
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#17328631430991408-399: The 1973 reorganisation of local Government which effectively dissolved Perthshire as a locality council area. Despite this, Perthshire continues to exist as a registration county and locals overwhelmingly continue to identify as Perthshire residents. Killin has been a Gaelic -speaking village for almost all of recorded history. English has only gradually become the dominant language here over
1472-465: The 2001 census the electoral division of Killin recorded only 63 Gaelic speakers (4.7% of the local population) with 39 (5.9%) in Killin village. Despite this decline Killin still recorded the highest numbers of Gaelic speakers in all of West-Perthshire. Although the Perthshire dialect of Gaelic is considered to be effectively extinct, surviving elderly speakers have recently been identified. However, with
1536-610: The Campbells eventually ousted the MacNabs, who lost Kinnell House to their rivals. In 1694 Sir John Campbell of Glenorchy , 1st Earl of Breadalbane established Killin as a Burgh of barony . In 1949 Kinnell House and its estate returned to the ownership of the Chief of Clan Macnab , but in 1978 death duties forced the then Chief, James Charles Macnab of Macnab , to sell most of the estate. The Killin incident of 1749 took place in August 1749 in
1600-435: The Killin line closed too. On 1 June 1870, the Callander and Oban Railway opened the first portion of its line. Shortage of cash meant that the original intention of linking Oban to the railway network was to be deferred for now. The line opened from the former Dunblane, Doune and Callander Railway at Callander to a station named Killin, but it was at Glenoglehead, high above the town and three miles (5 km) distant down
1664-529: The Kinnell Stone Circle, close to the village along with the less well preserved remains of ancient hill forts around the area. For a period in history Killin was one of the front lines in the wars between the original Picts people of Highland Scotland and the invading Gaels from Ireland, prior to them becoming united under Kenneth MacAlpin . The MacNab Clan were once dominant here, and have long been associated with Killin. Their ancient burial ground
1728-691: The Lake . She was named after the Sybilla of Normandy , queen of Alexander I of Scotland , who is buried among the ruins of the Priory on the Isle of Loch Tay. She was launched on 13 July 1882. She was given the contract by the Royal Mail to operate a postal service along the loch. She was scrapped at Kenmore in 1929. A cargo vessel with very limited passenger capacity which was designed by G.L. Watson and launched on 19 June 1883 as
1792-508: The Marquis of Breadalbane died. As the local dignitary he had taken a benevolent interest in the success of the Killin Railway, often funding its shortages of money. It had never paid a dividend in twenty years. Breadalbane's trustees were not well disposed to continue the benevolence. The Railways Act 1921 compulsorily organised nearly all the railways of Great Britain into four large groups:
1856-418: The beam and was in many respects an improved version of Lady of the Lake . Her gross weight was 152 long tons (154,000 kg). Some adjustments were required and she completed her trials on 13 August, running the length of the loch at a rate of 12 knots. She had “accommodation for over 500 passengers with a fine deck room, and commodious handsomely furnished saloons.” Tragedy almost struck when Queen of
1920-503: The branch was discontinued on 7 November 1964. The C&OR line was to be closed completely on 1 November 1965, and the Killin branch with it. In fact there was a serious rockfall on the C&OR line in Glen Ogle on 27 September 1965, and the line was impassable; clearing the line was unaffordable, and the line never re-opened. The Killin branch closed prematurely on the next day. The stations were: The section between Killin and Loch Tay
1984-519: The branch, the Bill failed in Parliament. In frustration, local people decided to build the railway themselves. Gavin Campbell, 1st Marquess of Breadalbane was anxious to develop the area, and under his chairmanship the first meeting of the local railway took place on 19 August 1882, in Killin. Making a branch to join the Callander and Oban at its "Killin" station would involve an impossibly steep gradient, but
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2048-563: The centre of the village. Killin has a small primary school with 56 pupils. For secondary education pupils travel to Callander 21 miles (34 km) to the south. Killin has for generations been an important part of the Gàidhealtachd . However, the nearest Gaelic medium primaries are in Stirling , 37 miles (60 km) to the south and Aberfeldy 23 miles (37 km) to the East. Killin serves as
2112-455: The company went into liquidation. The Caledonian Steam Packet Company took over responsibility from 1922 and operated services up to 1939. The livery changed from the red with a black top to the Caledonian yellow and then the yellow-red-black combination in the initial period of London Midland and Scottish Railway eventually changing to a buff funnel with black top. Services operated until
2176-421: The healing stones of St Fillan. The ancient practice of the re-bedding of St Fillan's stones on Christmas Eve is still observed and part of the local Christmas celebrations. It was tradition in Killin that Oidhche-Samhna (Halloween) was observed on the old pagan date of 11 November. It is not known when it began to be celebrated on the newer date of October 31, but it was celebrated on the old date until at least
2240-410: The land. The Education (Scotland) Act 1872 also made it illegal for Gaels to be educated or use their language in formal education settings. These changes along with others have led to a process of language shift across the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. More recently, Killin has suffered particularly from a lack of Gaelic Medium Education provision from Stirling council. This is in contrast to
2304-621: The language, history, folklore and many places names of the area. The Killin Music Festival is a successful 3-day music festival held in the village in June each year with Gaelic/Celtic and Folk music influences. The last known native speaker of Perthshire Gaelic, Elizabeth Christina McDiarmaid (originally of nearby Lawyers), died at 92 years old in April 2024 at the Falls of Dochart Care Home in Killin. Killin
2368-530: The last century. The village has always held the highest proportion of Gaelic speakers in West Perthshire, even to this day, and is therefore a culturally and historically important site in the Gaidhealtachd of Perthshire. One of the most significant Gaelic cultural contributions from Killin was the first Gaelic translation of the New Testament, completed by James Stuart, Minister of Killin, in 1767. Another
2432-522: The loch to another took around 1½ hours. In 1893 the Loch Tay Steamboat Company became a joint-stock company with a capital of £8,000 (equivalent to £1,120,800 in 2023) in £10 shares. The Marquis of Breadalbane maintained control as a director. On 19 July 1907, a new twin-screw steamer Queen of the Lake was launched by the Marchioness of Breadalbane. One novel feature at Fearnan
2496-495: The money was raised, mostly from small traders locally. As no-one was objecting to the line, a Parliamentary hearing for incorporation was unnecessary, only a Board of Trade certificate being required; this was permitted under the Railway Constructional Facilities Act, 1864. The certificate was received on 8 August 1883, and tenders for the construction had already been invited, and received. Authorised capital
2560-596: The most desirable locations to live and visit in Scotland, owing to its significant history, setting and facilities by Planetware.com, an expert travel website. A recent analysis (July 2021) by a leading mental health life insurance provider identified Killin as the second-best holiday destination for wellness in the United Kingdom. The west end of the village is magnificently sited around the scenic Falls of Dochart ( Scottish Gaelic : Eas Dochard ). The falls are crossed by
2624-423: The most famous of which was Am Ban-Tighearna Labhar (The Lady of Lawers ). Local Folklore holds that Fingal, mythical hero of the Ossian saga is buried in Killin. A large standing stone situated just above Breadalbane Park in the centre of the village purports to be the headstone from his grave. The area is also abound with many local legends about healing pools and healing stones, the most famous of which are
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2688-500: The new LMS indicated the terms of the takeover. Fearing no evil, they rejected the terms, which were to pay £1 for every £100 Killin Railway. In addition they would shoulder all the company's considerable debts. Persistence paid off, and the LMS gradually raised its offer, eventually reaching £8, which the Killin Railway accepted. The Killin Railway was now a small branch line on the LMS railway. The Loch Tay steamers were discontinued in 1939 and
2752-418: The north and East, albeit via a higher level rural route along the edge of Loch Tay ( Scottish Gaelic : Loch Tatha ). Killin is the central settlement of the historic region of Breadalbane . In Gaelic breadalbane is Bràghad Albann , "the high part, or the upper part of Scotland". This is an apt toponym as the village is surrounded by prominent and striking mountain ranges including Meall nan Tarmachan and
2816-462: The outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, and never resumed afterwards. The Lady of the Lake was designed and constructed in iron by Anderson and Lyall of Govan. She was disassembled, and transported in sections to Acharn where a temporary slip was erected. She was 110 feet (34 m) in length with a breadth of 14 feet (4.3 m) and a gross weight of 67 long tons (68,000 kg). She
2880-403: The passenger trains stopped running to Loch Tay station; however the goods siding and the engine shed were there, and they continued to be used. In the 1950s a hydro-electric power generating station was built on the Loch, and the railway and its pier were used for bringing in materials for the construction. With the decline in the usage of local railways after World War II , the goods service on
2944-502: The process was called "the grouping" and it was supposed to take effect on 1 January 1923. The C&OR and the Killin Railway were to be "schemed" into the new London Midland and Scottish Railway . In fact the technicalities of finalising the accounts of numerous small concerns caused the detail of the process to overrun. Since Breadalbane's demise there were only two directors of the Killin Railway, both local men unacquainted with national railway politics and they were taken by surprise when
3008-461: The provision in neighbouring Perth and Kinross Council , such as the weekly Gaelic lessons at Glen Lyon primary school, close to Killin, and full GME at Breadalbane Academy in nearby Aberfledy. The closest GME provision offered by Stirling council is at Riverside Primary School in Stirling. Despite its many challenges Gaelic survives in the area amongst a small number of local speakers as well as in
3072-530: The time of the Great War. Halloween was always celebrated with teintean-aighir (bonfires) which were lit in Coire nam Bonnach, just above the village, where there was dancing and merryment. There were Gìsearan (Guisers) who would visit people's homes to perform poems, jokes or songs and be given gifts of money or food. Local children would often play pranks such as removing and hiding the gates from people's gardens. It
3136-630: The tumultuous aftermath of the Jacobite rising of 1745 . Two men who had been plundering at will in full Highland dress after the Dress Act 1746 had made it illegal wear it, had been captured by soldiers of the British Army, but a large mob secured their release. In 1767 the minister of Killin, James Stuart , published the first New Testament in Scottish Gaelic . By the end of the 18th century there
3200-561: The village is sometimes identified as the haunt of the Rabbit of Caerbannog of Monty Python and the Holy Grail fame. Nearby Glen Lochay is the location to which Richard Hannay, played by Robert Donat , heads in the 1935 Alfred Hitchcock 's film The 39 Steps . Killin railway station was on the Killin Railway . The railway station was officially closed on 1 November 1965. Killin has
3264-538: The village to retain much of its historic character. The 19th century Moirlanich Longhouse in nearby Glen Lochay is a rare surviving example of the cruck frame Scottish longhouse, and is now in the care of the National Trust for Scotland . The former Breadalbane Folklore Centre in the Victorian mill by the falls displays the 'healing stones' of Saint Fillan . Tomnadashan Mine, an abandoned copper mine overlooking
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#17328631430993328-567: Was Killin Junction, Killin, and Killin Pier. (The Callander and Oban already had a "Killin" on its line). It was then thought that the Loch ought to be referred to, and the pier station was called Loch Tay. On 8 September 1885 Major Marindin, the Board of Trade inspector, was due to assess the line for passenger operation. However a severe snowstorm dislocated the trains and he was unable to be there. The cloud had
3392-524: Was a far larger concern that had money problems, and priorities, elsewhere. Nevertheless, as time went on, extension of the first line to Oban was resumed in stages, and finally completed on 30 June 1880. The people of Killin petitioned the Callander and Oban company for a branch line, but this was refused, and when the Caledonian Railway itself was persuaded to obtain Parliamentary authority to build
3456-451: Was a local linen industry. Flax was grown locally, spun in small mills and woven into linen by home based weavers . Today, Killin services the local rural community and the growing tourism and leisure industries. In addition to walking on Ben Lawers National Nature Reserve , fishing for trout and salmon there are various watersports available on Loch Tay . Many local vernacular buildings have been preserved or converted, allowing
3520-476: Was a small engine shed there and goods facilities. Loch Tay was intended solely for connections to steamers. In 1921 the Caledonian Railway acquired the Loch Tay Steamboat Company which owned two steamers on the loch; the company was loss-making, and the Caledonian wished to continue the tourist trade over the Callander and Oban line; the Killin Railway obviously benefitted also. On 19 October 1922
3584-451: Was certificated to carry over 200 passengers. The engines by David Rowan of Glasgow generated 150 horse-power, supplied by a steel boiler, and delivered a speed expected of 14 m.p.h. She was launched by the Countess of Breadalbane on 15 July 1882. During a storm in January 1884 she was blown ashore and the service was suspended until she could be re-floated. Lady of the Lake was refitted for
3648-399: Was closed to passengers on 9 September 1939, and the entire line closed on 28 September 1965. The short line fell at a continuous gradient of 1 in 50 from Killin Junction to Killin; from there to Loch Tay the line was broadly level. Killin station buildings were demolished shortly after closure, and the site is now occupied by a car park and council premises. Loch Tay station building is now
3712-430: Was included in Scotland's census for the first time. The broader parish of Killin recorded over 1,100 Gaelic speakers living locally at this time, representing 78.5% of the total area population, 5.05% of which (56) where monolingual Gaels. By 1901 this had decreased to 62.5% for rural Killin, 49.3% for the Killin village, and 48% for the broader parish. Consistent with other parts of Gaelic-speaking Scotland there has been
3776-484: Was renamed Glenoglehead. Killin Junction had three platform faces, with the Killin Railway on the northern face of an island platform. It was an exchange station only: passengers could not leave the station except by train. The Caledonian Railway worked the line for 55% of gross receipts. The line worked on the one engine in steam principle. There were eight trains each way daily between Killin Junction and Killin, half of them running to Loch Tay station. Killin station had
3840-419: Was the collie dog belonging to the postmaster. He was trained to ring the pier bell to alert intending passengers to the imminent arrival of the steamer. The dog did this of his own accord, and also rang the bell when the steamer left the pier. The pre First World War traffic did not return after 1918. There was improved communication along the north side of Loch Tay with improvements to the road and in 1921
3904-438: Was traditional in Killin for Hogmanay to be a greater celebration than that of Christmas. It was a special day when special drinks and foods would be consumed and visitors would be welcomed into the home. The people of Killin (and West Perthshire generally) continue to strongly identify with their identity as part of Perthshire. Killin, like other parts of West Perthshire, fell under the administration of Stirling Council following
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#17328631430993968-399: Was used for a trip by Albert, King of Saxony and his entourage. She was disposed of in 1923. Queen of the Lake was built by Ailsa Shipbuilding Company of Troon. She was shipped in parts to Killin and drawn on a barge to Dalreb near Kenmore before reassembly and launching on 19 June 1907 by the Marchioness of Breadalbane. She measured 110 feet (34 m) long by 20 feet (6.1 m) in
4032-399: Was very slow. By November 1884 MacDonald was in serious difficulties, unable to pay his men and unable to obtain even feed for the horses on the work. The contract was terminated, and re-allocated to John Best of Glasgow. Much time had been lost and the 1885 summer season was now lost. As the time for actual opening approached, the designation of the stations needed to be decided. A suggestion
4096-440: Was £20,785. One of the tenders, at £13,783, was £3,000 cheaper than the next lowest. The directors had misgivings about the competence of this contractor, MacDonald of Skye, but they accepted the tender. There were some considerable bridges in the line, to be built as mass-concrete arch structures. MacDonald needed materials for them; his lack of credit at the bank made difficulties for him in obtaining bulk materials, and progress
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