Central Scotland - Scotland - page 393

pily romp on the lawns, and no one looks askance if you come in flushed and muddy after
a day's fishing or walking.
Local buses between Callander and Killin stop at the main road turn-off to Balquhidder,
as do daily Citylink ( www.citylink.co.uk ) buses between Edinburgh and Oban/Fort Willi-
am.
ROB ROY
Nicknamed Red (' ruadh ' in Gaelic, anglicised to 'roy') for his ginger locks, Robert MacGregor (1671−1734)
was the wild leader of the wildest of Scotland's clans. Although they had rights to the lands the clan occupied,
these estates stood between powerful neighbours who had the MacGregors outlawed, hence their sobriquet, Chil-
dren of the Mist. Incognito, Rob became a prosperous livestock trader, before a dodgy deal led to a warrant for his
arrest.
A legendary swordsman, the fugitive from justice then became notorious for his daring raids into the Lowlands
to carry off cattle and sheep. He was forever hiding from potential captors; he was twice imprisoned, but escaped
dramatically on both occasions. He finally turned himself in and received his liberty and a pardon from the king.
He lies buried in the churchyard at Balquhidder; his uncompromising epitaph reads 'MacGregor despite them'.
His life has been glorified over the years due to Walter Scott's novel and the 1995 film. Many Scots see his life as
a symbol of the struggle of the common folk against the inequitable ownership of vast tracts of the country by
landed aristocrats.
KILLIN
POP 666
A fine base for the Trossachs or Perthshire, this lovely village sits at the western end of
Loch Tay and has a spread-out, relaxed sort of feel, particularly around the scenic Falls of
Dochart , which tumble through the centre. On a sunny day people sprawl over the rocks
by the bridge, pint or picnic in hand. Killin offers some fine walking around the town, and
mighty mountains and glens close at hand.
Activities
Five miles northeast of Killin, Ben Lawers (1214m) rises above Loch Tay. Other routes
abound; one rewarding circular walk heads up into the Acharn forest south of town,
emerging above the treeline to great views of Loch Tay and Ben Lawers. The tourist of-
fice has walking leaflets and maps covering the area.
Glen Lochay runs westwards from Killin into the hills of Mamlorn. You can take a
mountain bike up the glen; the scenery is impressive and the hills aren't too difficult. It's