Loch Rannoch

Overview

Although the Rannoch area lies only 20 miles or so west of Pitlochry, it has a true sense of remoteness, particularly as you travel west past Loch Tummel and on to the quiet expanses of Loch Rannoch and the Moor of Rannoch.

Loch Rannoch is a very well known Scottish loch, not least because of the famous World War 1 song that included the lines:
`By Loch Tummel and Loch Rannoch and Lochaber I will go, by heather tracks wi heaven in their wiles`

Loch Rannoch lay on the traditional main route north to the west coast of Scotland, known famously as the Road to the Isles. However major road construction in the 19th century has (thankfully) bypassed it leaving the area unspoiled and unchanged. The loch stretches 10 miles/16 km from Kinloch Rannoch to Bridge of Gaur in the west and has a recorded depth of 440 feet.
Kinloch Rannoch is the only village and is a good place from which to start exploring the Clan Trail. A series of interesting story boards have been placed at accessible points around the loch shore - the fascinating tales relate to the lives and the exploits of clans prominent in the district before the 19th and 20th centuries. Stewarts, Camerons, Robertsons, MacDougalls, Menzies, MacDonalds and MacGregors all made there home here. Still visible on the higher ground are the desolate remains of shieling huts occupied by the people whilst they tended to cattle at the summer grazing. On the loch itself another much older structure is visible. The Crannog (near the far west of the loch, by Bridge of Ericht) is an artificial island probably constructed by our ancestors over two thousand years ago. In the early 18th century it was used as a base for outlawed members of the MacGregor Clan.

The Rannoch area offers excellent walking - from woodland paths in Rannoch Forest and quiet lochside rambles to the dramatic wild peaks and cross country routes of the Great Moor of Rannoch.
To the east of the loch, the vast bulk of Schiehallion is an alluring presence, popular with hillwalkers and photographers. In recent years the route to the summit has been much upgraded by the John Muir Trust - the best start point is at the Braes of Foss car park.

The 22 mile/35 km road circuit of Loch Rannoch is perfect for cycling being almost completely flat (quite unlike all the other major Perthshire lochs!) and relatively traffic free. Sandy beaches on the north shore are an ideal excuse for a rest, picnic or simply to drink in the wonderful scenery and sense of peace. A short hilly diversion west of Bridge of Gaur leads to Rannoch Station, the remotest railway station in Britain and a gateway to the Great Moor of Rannoch. (See entry Great Moor of Rannoch)