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Tour
Loch Rannoch
Rannoch
is one of the most scenic and rewarding parts of Highland Perthshire,
Scotland. Despite its wild and unspoilt beauty it is quite accessible
being only 50 miles from Perth, a small mileage as far as the
Highlands are concerned.
Loch Rannoch itself extends for 10 miles, averaging about 1 mile
in width, and is famous for both its fishing and rough water.
Like so many other of the famed Highland lochs, there is a road
along both sides. The main road on the north bank is the faster
route; while the road on the south bank is the more scenic. Neither
road ever moves far from the edge of the loch, and there are countless
scenic vistas.
The south shore is most famed for the presence of the Tay Forest
Park, the largest surviving remnant of the ancient Caledonian
Forest south of Rothiemurchus. Rising out of undulating slopes
of heather, the forest offers magnificent walking. To the west
of the forest, in a large clearing, is the hamlet of Camghouran,
a beautiful spot. Isolated down near the lochside is the ancient
burial-ground of St Michaels, with several old gravestones of
the Camerons.
One stone is known as the Clach nan Ceann, the Stone of Heads,
recalling a grim story in which a jealous Mackintosh dashed the
heads of his former lover's little sons against this rock.
Further west, at the end of the loch, is Braes of Rannoch parish
church and the nearby Bridge of Gaur. The road here continues
westwards, suddenly to end after 6 miles, in the middle of nowhere
at Rannoch Station, where the West Highland railroad line makes
a great curve around the east side of the vast empty wilderness
of Rannoch Moor.
The north side of Loch Rannoch is known as An Slios Min, The Side
of Gentle Slopes, and here are fields and birch-woods and wonderful
views.
Many streams flow from the north, the largest of which is the
Ericht. Nearby, out in Loch Rannoch, is an ancient crannog, or
artificial island.
This area of Scotland makes an excellent centre for enjoying wild
scenery and yet at the same time being well situated to explore
Pitlochry, Blair Atholl, Killiecrankie, Dunkeld, Aberfeldy, Perth
and so on.
If you would like to visit this area as part of a unique small
group tour of my native Scotland please e-mail me at;
sandystevenson@thefreesite.com
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