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:
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