Tyndrum To Aberfeldy
From Coast to Coast
ROUTE LENGTH: 41 MILES
By Road
From Tyndrum continue on the A82 (see below for a suggested walk south of Tyndrum). Turn onto the A85 in Crianlarich. Turn left onto the A827 for Killin. You can continue along the south side of Loch Tay, or go through Killin and along the North side of the loch through Lawers, following the A827 all the way to Aberfeldy.
By Cycle
Leave Tyndrum on the A82. The suggested walk (below) can be done by cycle. Come back on to the A82 from Kirkton farm. Continue on the A82. Turn onto the A85 in Crianlarich. Continue to Ledcharrie. Turn left here to cross the River Dochart and follow a minor road to Killin. Either go into Killin, or turn right at the Falls of Dochart and then join NCN 7 along the south side of Loch Tay, crossing to the north side of the River Tay at Kenmore and passing through Dull. Turn right onto the B846 to enter Aberfeldy over The Wade Bridge.
By Foot
From the car park a mile south of Tyndrum walk down to the River Fillan and then downriver to Strathfillan church and, on the other side of the road, The Holy pool. Follow the track towards Kirkton farm to reach the remains of St Fillan’s Priory. Retrace your steps to the car park.
By Public Transport
There is a railway station at Tyndrum. There is no moderately direct way of covering this stage by public transport. The options are to go by way of Glasgow and Perth, or by Rannoch and Pitlochry, taking around 5 hours. There is a bus to Crianlarich. If you can then get the 11 miles to Lix Toll (junction of the A85 and A827) you could catch the Callender to Killin service. There is a service from Killin to Aberfeldy twice a day on school days only.
To check times go to Traveline Scotland and click on Plan your Journey on left side of page.
Journey Links
Follow St. Fillan, by travelling from Lochalsh to Tyndrum and then eastwards through Glendochart. On the way he left healing places associated with sources of natural water, and sacred relics which played a special part in Scotland’s story. These include Fillan’s handbell and staff or crozier, which are now in the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, and the Saint’s armbone- now lost- which was carried into battle at Bannockburn. Robert the Bruce was ever after a devotee of St Fillan, committing his relics to the care of their hereditary guardians, the Dewars.
At Strathfillan Church on the main road, by walking a short distance on the West Highland Way you find the remains of St Fillan’s medieval Priory with its ancient font. A little downriver you can also vist the Holy Pool, where people went for healing, possibly the site of St Fillan’s original settlement. This is a peaceful, almost neglected place, that has a special in the story of Scotish pilgrimage.
At the Visitor Information centre in the old mill at Killin, you can follow the whole saga of Fillan, and see the healing stones associated with his ancient cures. In living water, still and flowing, we touch sources close to elemental life and divine creation.
St Fillan’s influence takes you on by Lochearnhead and Comrie into the heart of Perthshire, but our route continues by Loch Tay to Aberfeldy.