Time outdoors at Maragowan CC site

This was our first visit to The Maragowan Caravan Club site in Scotland. It is located in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, a beautiful location (like so many in Scotland) near Loch Tay surrounded by woodland, hills and mountains and we stopped here on our way south from Fort William.

The site itself is on the banks of the slow moving river Lochay, on outskirts of Killin village. The village is a short walk away and provides easy access to shops and pubs, as well as the famous Dochart Falls. This impressive and spectacular falls attracts many visitors and therefore a selection of cafes, ice cream stalls and shops have popped up nearby.

We had five nights at the Maragowan CC site and filled our time with plenty of outdoor activities. The warden at the site (who knew us from our visit to Ayr Craigie Gardens site last year) knew how much we loved to get outdoors and recommended a good selection of activities that we could try, which we luckily managed to fit in. 

 

Munros are mountains in Scotland over 3000 feet, named after Hugh Munro who was the first person to compile a list of them. After 'bagging' the biggest munro when staying at Fort William, we wanted to walk up a few more to achieve our Climb Everest challenge. Not far from the site is the Ben Lawers, the highest munro in central Highlands and tenth highest in Scotland.  

After being told that we should not drive to the car park in the Ben Lawers Nature reserve because the road is narrow and steep, we managed to park nearby and walk up through the nature reserve and up Ben Lawers. There is a slow steady climb to the summit and on the day that we did it the wind was strong and blustery. Snowy patches still covered the north face of the mountain, even though the sun was shining.

Not far from Ben Lawers is another munro and one that can be bagged on the return route - Bienn Ghlas - and one that has equally impressive views over Loch Tay and the surrounding landscape.

 

A leaflet for the heritage trail can be found in the information hut at the site. It is a simple, short walk through the village that takes in historical points of interest. You can start at various points, although the leaflet suggests Dochart Falls. We walked all the way through the village to the Dochart Falls to begin the trail and then walked back stopping at the various suggested stops on the ways to read the signs providing historical information.

 

So what is a crannog? Well, a crannog is an ancient fortified dwelling constructed in a lake or loch in Scotland or Ireland. To find out more about this intriguing piece of history, we decided to visit the Scottish Crannog centre in Kenmore, at top end of the loch Tay, approximately 16 miles away, where they had a fully reconstructed one, based on Iron Age findings in loch Tay.

Entrance to the Scottish crannog centre is quite expensive but make the most of it and spend a while there. There is a small museum providing information about crannogs, preserved artefacts and photographs / videos detailing the construction of the life-size model. The exciting part is to actually go inside the reconstruction. It is very dark but atmospheric and the guide talks through the layout, how it was constructed and the historical knowledge that they have based on findings in the lake. There is also a learning zone; the guide will demonstrate how our ancestors would have ground wheat, drilled stones and lit fires using a bow drill. After the demonstration, have a go yourself. 

 

Cycle in Acharn Forest  (4 miles) plus extra pathways to explore in the woodland.

On the hunt for somewhere to cycle, we were told that there was a fantastic route through the Acharn forest. The forest, a mixture of conifers, broad leaved woodland and occasional open moorland, is on the south west side of Killin. 

The route that we were looking for is part of National Cycle route 7 but there are various possibilities for linking to this path with other informal routes in the area. To get to the start of the route, head through the village and cross the bridge over Dochart Falls. Ignore the first sign to Route 7 but take second left between some bungalows before turning right onto an old railway line. It is a flat start before a steady climb through the forest. The length of the cycle can vary. The National Cycle route continues to Glen Ogle and follows the road closely. When we realised that we had unknowingly beared right we turned around and joined the loop back through the forest to the village. The whole circuit is only 4 miles and begins by climbing which means that the return route is downhill. As you climb up into the forest don't forget to stop and appreciate the wonderful views that appear framed between the trees. 

Although this is a cycle route, it is just as easy to walk. Don't forget to reward yourself at the bottom with a refreshing drink or an ice-cream at the pub by Dochart Falls. 

 

The Auchmore circuit is also close-by and great place for a morning run. After heading over the bridge, past the pub near the Dochart Falls, take the first left turn, under an archway towards an estate. Most of the route passes through mixed woodland and parts of it offer superb views across Loch Tay to Tarmachan Ridge, Bienn Ghlas and Ben Lawers.

 

On our last night we went for a short (2 miles) walk up Sron a'chlachain. This is the hill tucked behind the village and accessed by walking through the Breadalbane Park (signposted from the main street). The path forks off to the right before you reach Fingal's stone and at this point you walk through open fields before crossing over a stile into an oak woodland. The route becomes increasingly steeper at this point as you leave the woodland and head up the hillside.

This walk was recommended by the site warden and it was a wonderful way to spend our last evening, enjoying the last of the day's sunshine as we looked down over loch Tay, munching on our soup and bread.

 

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