Loch Lomond & the Trossachs Newsletter
Visit Loch Lomond

An independent traveller’s guide

The Falls of Dochart in spate, with the white houses of Killin on the bank behind
Photo: Simon Burchell, CC BY-SA 4.0

Killin

Village at the west end of Loch Tay

Verdict

Go if you are touring north and want a falls-and-mountains stop.

Skip if you only have a day for Loch Lomond.

Sketch map of Killin: the village road above the river, the car park, the church and the Falls of Dochart, with Loch Tay to the east Sketch map of Killin: the village road above the river, the car park, the church and the Falls of Dochart, with Loch Tay to the east. Marked places: Village car park, Falls of Dochart.
  • Village car park. We have no verified charge for Killin. Read the signs and machine.
  • Falls of Dochart. A series of rapids in the village, at the west end of Loch Tay where the Rivers Lochay and Dochart join.
Bus to Callander
C60
Ember coach
E4
West end of
Loch Tay
Car park charge
Check

Fine weekends and school holidays bring the most visitors to the falls. Weekdays and early mornings are quieter.

Last checked 12 Oct 2026 Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Open in maps

Killin in photos

Rapids on the River Dochart at Killin, with a wooded island and houses on the far bank
Rapids on the River Dochart.Simon Burchell, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
A small stone building among trees above the rapids at Killin
A stone building above the rapids.Simon Burchell, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Killin and the head of Loch Tay seen from the hillside, in an older slide photograph
Killin and the head of Loch Tay, from an older slide.Colin Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Is Killin worth it?

Killin is worth it if you are driving north and want a stop with a view. It sits at the Falls of Dochart, a series of rapids at the west end of Loch Tay where the Rivers Lochay and Dochart join. It is a Highland add-on rather than a Loch Lomond stop. Not sure where it fits? Compare your choice of base.

Go if you want

A falls-and-mountains stop between the Trossachs and the Highlands, with Callander and Strathyre on the way.

Think twice if you want

A day on Loch Lomond. Check when to visit before you drive north. Bringing a tent? Read do you need a camping permit first. The permit zones are West Loch Lomond, East Loch Lomond, Trossachs West and Trossachs North, so check the zone map for Killin before you pitch.

Parking & getting there

Killin car parks

Charge
We have no verified charge for Killin. Read the signs and machine before you leave the car.
Bus
Bus C60 (Stirling Council) runs to Callander via Strathyre and Lochearnhead.

Last checked 12 Oct 2026

Open in maps Apple Maps

Car-free

Bus C60 (Stirling Council) runs from Killin to Callander via Kilmahog, Strathyre and Lochearnhead, and Ember E4 coaches stop on the run between Edinburgh and Fort William, with some journeys needing booking at ember.to. We have not recorded times, so check Traveline Scotland on the day. For other options, read train, bus and waterbus options. For charges in the park’s own car parks, see car park prices and rules.

When it is busy

Editorial estimate of a typical summer day, not measured counts. No fill times are published for these car parks.

How busy Killin gets by hour, summer pattern
Day9:0010:0011:0012:0013:0014:0015:0016:0017:00
WeekdayQuietQuietSteadySteadySteadySteadySteadyQuietQuiet
SaturdayQuietSteadySteadyBusyBusyBusyBusySteadyQuiet
SundayQuietSteadySteadyBusyBusyBusyBusySteadyQuiet

Q QuietS SteadyB BusyF Car park full

Tip: arrive before 10:00 on a fine weekend, or take bus C60 from Callander.

Things to do in Killin

  1. Falls of Dochart

    Short stop

    A series of rapids in the village, where the River Dochart runs towards Loch Tay. It is the reason most people stop. Rainfall changes how much water there is, so the view varies.

  2. The end of Loch Tay

    Loch shore

    Killin sits at the west end of Loch Tay, where the Rivers Lochay and Dochart join. A short walk shows how the two rivers reach the loch.

  3. Drive or bus south to Callander

    Day out

    Bus C60 follows the route to Callander via Lochearnhead, Strathyre and Kilmahog. It makes a simple day out in either direction. See Callander for what is at the other end.

1 hour, 3 hours or a full day

1 hour

A quick stop (suggested timings)

  1. 0:00 Park and check the signs for charges.
  2. 0:10 Walk to the Falls of Dochart.
  3. 0:50 Back to the car.

3 hours

Falls and village

  1. 0:00 Park and walk to the falls.
  2. 0:45 Look at where the two rivers meet near the loch.
  3. 2:00 Lunch in the village. Check hours before you plan around a meal.

A full day

Along the C60 route

  1. 9:00 Start in Callander, or take bus C60 north.
  2. 11:00 Stop at Strathyre and Lochearnhead on the way.
  3. 14:00 Killin for the falls, then head back before dark.

Eat & drink

  • Pubs and cafes

    Check first · Village centre

    Expect pubs and cafes in the village, but we have not verified names or hours. Opening hours change by season. Our guide to a meal in Killin has more.

  • Shops and picnic

    Shop · Village

    We have not verified shop hours or ranges. Bring snacks for a walk.

  • Lochearnhead

    Nearby · On the C60 route

    A second option on the way back south.

Where to stay in Killin

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Browse all stays near Killin

See Killin first

Video: Andrew & Karen's Travels on YouTube. Watch on YouTube

Questions people ask

Is Killin in the Highlands?

Killin is usually counted as a Highland village, at the west end of Loch Tay, though we have no official boundary source. The National Park lists it among its towns and villages.

How far is Killin from Glencoe?

We have no verified distance or drive time, so use a route planner for today’s traffic. Ember E4 coaches stop at Killin on the Edinburgh to Fort William route.

Where is Killin?

Killin is at the Falls of Dochart, at the western end of Loch Tay, where the Rivers Lochay and Dochart join.

How do I get to Killin without a car?

By Stirling Council’s C60 bus from Callander via Kilmahog, Strathyre and Lochearnhead, or by Ember E4 coach. Check Traveline Scotland for times.

Does Killin have free parking?

We have no verified charge, so check the signs and machine on the day.

Is Killin worth the drive from Loch Lomond?

Only if you are touring north. It is well north of the loch, so it does not fit a single day on the shore.

Nearby places