Balquhidder travel guide

Balquhidder (Scottish Gaelic: Both Chuidir) is a small village in the Stirling council area of Scotland. It is overlooked by the dramatic mountain terrain of the Braes of Balquhidder, at the head of Loch Voil. Balquhidder Glen is also popular for fishing, nature watching and walking. Above the village, Creag an Tuirc is a fine viewpoint, well worth the short climb.
The MacLarens acquired the district as early as the 9th century and occupied it for several hundred years until ousted by the MacGregors, a neighbouring clan, who had repeatedly raided their lands, and in 1558 slew the chief and many of his followers. Balquhidder was the scene of some of the exploits of Rob Roy, who died there in 1734. The local kirkyard is his final resting place, his grave marked with the appropriately defiant motto 'MacGregor Despite Them'. He lies with the remains of his wife and two sons, the graves marked by three flat stones. One of these is contemporary, but the remaining two are re-used medieval grave monuments.
St Angus, who may have been a monk from Dunblane, came to Balquhidder Glen in the 8th or 9th century and recognised what the Celts called a "thin place" where the boundary between Earth and Heaven was close. He knelt and blessed the glen at the spot where the house "Beannach Aonghais" (Gaelic 'blessing of Angus') now stands and built a stone oratory at Kirkton, where he spent the rest of his life. Angus may have brought Christianity to Balquhidder but there was already a long tradition of Pagan worship. (...) more....

travel guide by edit this text

Latest Reviews for Balquhidder

Have you been here? Write a quick review:

 You are currently not logged in. Login or register to write a review.