Kinloch Rannoch and Rannoch

Kinloch Rannoch village lies on the River Tummel, at the eastern end of Loch Rannoch in the Breadalbane country of beautiful and historic Highland Perthshire ( Area Map ). The river flows eastwards through Dunalastair reservoir, which is part of the Tummel Garry hydro-electric scheme, while power-houses are situated at the far western end of the loch, and also at Tummel Bridge. To the south-east of Kinloch Rannoch, is Dalchosnie ( Map ) , where English invaders are said to have fought Robert the Bruce in 1306, and farther south extends Glen Sassunn, beyond which rise the peaks of the extensive 3,000 ft Carn Mairg group of mountains.

Rannoch was devastated by government troops after the 1745 rebellion. The Atholl Brigade, the fighting men from Tummelside suffered the greatest number of casuaties at Culloden. The government knew that the Jacobite flame burned fiercely in this area, and they intended to put it out for good. The fugitive Jacobites hiding in the hills and forests could only watch from the crags above as their homes were destroyed.

The settlement of Kinloch Rannoch ( village map ) originated after the 1745 rebellion. It is odd, that since Kinloch means head of the loch, the village should be situated at the foot. Similarly, as most Scottish rivers are named after the loch from which they originate, it would be have been expected that the River Tummel would have been named Rannoch. After the 1745 rebellion government Redcoats built roads from Tummel Bridge and around the side of Schiehallion.

The River Tummel was then bridged at the settlement of Kinloch Rannoch. At first, the village was to have been populated by retired soldiers who would have been available to guard against further rebellions, but retired soldiers proved unsuited to the slow pace of Highland crofting life. Thus, for the first time, Rannoch inhabitants were given leases to their very own few acres of land. At one time it was intended to drive a road across Rannoch Moor to Glencoe and thus make Kinloch Rannoch the central hub of the Highlands of Scotland. Redcoats did indeed build a few miles of road westwards from their barracks at the head of loch but were unable to drain the desolate Rannoch Moor.

Loch Rannoch has well-wooded roads on both north and south shores, these roads converging some five miles east of the remote Rannoch Railroad Station, which lies almost on the Argyll border. Near the point where the roads meet, a mansion, known as The Barracks, was erected for the troops after the '45. The desolate expanse of Rannoch Moor stretches westwards from the railhead, and contains Loch Laidon and Loch Ba. Beyond the ridge of the Black Corries are the large Blackwater Reservoir and the small Lochan a Chlaidheimh, the latter associated with a sword thrown into its waters by a 15th century Earl of Atholl in connection with a land claim against the Camerons.

From the Moor, views of the lofty Black Mount, the Glencoe and the Grampian mountains may be obtained. This country has been graphically described in R. L. Stevenson's " Kidnapped. " Northwards from Loch Rannoch, and linked by a tunnel aqueduct, lies the lonely Loch Ericht, overlooked by the fine peak of Ben Alder, 3,757 ft, but not accessible by road except at the far north-east extremity near Dalwhinnie. To the south-east of Kinloch Rannoch rises the sharp quartzite cone of Schiehallion, 3,547 ft., one of the best known landmarks and viewpoints in the Central Highlands, and the focal point in the panorama from the famous Queen's View near Loch Tummel.

Rannoch is without doubt one of the most interesting, scenic, and rewarding parts of 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. Kinloch Rannoch itself makes an excellent base for enjoying wild scenery and yet at the same time being well situated to explore Rannoch Station, Pitlochry, Blair Atholl, Killiecrankie, Dunkeld, Aberfeldy, Kenmore, Killin, Perth, Kenmore, Glen Lyon, Fortingall, Castle Menzies, Moulin, Edradour Distillery etc. Wonderful walks abound in Rannoch and there are opportunities to fish and golf in the surrounding area.