Kinnell of Killin

Nearest town:
Callander (25km SE)
OS reference:
NN577327
OS sheet:
51
Latitude:
56° 27' 53.55 N
Longitude:
4° 18' 35.61 W

Sites within Kinnell of Killin

​

​ •

location_on photo ondemand_video forum description link ​

Images

Image of Kinnell of Killin (Stone Circle) by postman

Looking back over two thirds of the circle to the track that is south east of the circle and a perfect place to look down on it all, not disparagingly.

Image credit: Chris Bickerton
postman
postman Aug 1, 2013
Image of Kinnell of Killin (Stone Circle) by hybrid

Kinnell of Killin in the Sun; with snow capped Ben More in the far background. 3/4/7

Image credit: hybrid
H
hybrid Apr 12, 2007

Articles

Kinnell of Killin

C
CARL Aug 14, 2014

Visited 21.7.14

Karen was keen to spend a bit of time in the gift shop – I wasn’t – so I took the children for a walk to this cracking stone circle. Any excuse!

The walk along the road was longer than I remembered and it didn’t take long for Sophie to start to complain. At least it wasn’t pouring down like the last time I visited.

Soon enough we reached the metal gate which gives access to the field where the circle resides (be careful of the electric fence next to the gate).

The crop in the field around the stone had been harvested although the grass in and around the circle was long. In addition to the six standing stones there are several large stones lying prostrate in the middle of the circle. Field clearance perhaps or fallen standing stones?

Oddly enough, although Fingal’s Stone is mention (and has a photo) in the Killin village paths guide I picked up from the library there is no mention of the stone circle. Perhaps because it is on private land? – although there is no problem with access.

This is a great (and easy) stone circle to visit set in a great location. As I have said before, Killin and its waterfalls is a great place to come and whilst there you just HAVE to visit the wonderful stone circle.

Kinnell of Killin

postman
postman Aug 1, 2013

My first time here was quite a while ago now, and I couldn’t remember where I left the car last time, nor did I read Carl’s notes, specifically on how to get there. I started down the track that Carl mentions, but then changed my mind and went the long way instead. I drove down the little road that eventually hugs the Loch’s shore but only for a hundred yards until the road bends sharply right. We got the bikes and the dogs out of the car, keeping two promises with one stone, then rode slowly while taking the dogs for a light jog, down the off turning east track. Immediately I recognised this as the route I took last time.

The approach to a stone circle appears to be utmost to your impression of a place, from on the long route track a gap in the trees opened out onto the field with the circle in, the whole farm estate next to it, but above it and further on some forested hill sides and towering above that the big mountains, Meall Ghaordie and Beinn nan Oighreag amongst others. A Nice little stone circle Or probably the best stone circle in Perthshire
We rode down the main track into the estate, but just short of the entrance absolute there was a sign pointing us the way to the stones, we went that way, it was left.
At one point the stones were just on the other side of the wall, we passed them by, in the corner is the entry into the field. Going into the field keep left by the wall, you have no choice in the matter, a farm line DO NOT CROSS was strung up just like the police version, giving us a two foot wide walkway to the stones, and around the stones, no wandering allowed here, you may trample delicate grasses, or worse still enjoying yourself to the point of wanting to come again or even tell a friend.
But it was easy to tune out, and even ignore completely and wander about, Eric and the dogs slumped in front of the stone with the biggest shadow, taking in fluids, whilst I exhausted my memory card to the max, 844 pictures.
One of the wooden posts has gone that are in some of the older pictures, I nearly took the last one, but it was too hot to even think.
This is the most perfect place in Scotland right now, too knackered and hot to move about and do stuff we just sit and take in the scene, birds seem to be everywhere, a very slight breeze moves the grasses too and fro, and these six big stones perfecting the moment. In future times of hardship, and a “happy place” is needed , this will be it.

I’d still feel better with out the do not cross taper.

Kinnell of Killin

C
CARL Mar 18, 2010

Park in the car park in the village of Killin and walk over the old stone bridge (above the waterfalls) and turn left heading towards Kinnell House. Walk up the private road, through the trees, and as you approach the house the stone circle is in the field on your right. Easy to access although I imagine you should ask for permission first. A Nice little stone circle – worth a visit.

Kinnell of Killin

Vicster
Vicster May 5, 2006

Moth wrote: “I wonder if at some stage someone will add some notes about this circle and not mention rain?”

Well, when I visited in June 2005 it was glorious weather, no rain at all!

We arrived in Killin mid-afternoon having aborted our trip to Aberfoyle after one night, due to noisy barking dogs and weirdo B&B owner. As we hadn’t planned on being in Killin, we didn’t have our OS map of the area, so I had to phone a friend in Chorley (“Hi Dom”) who had visited earlier in the year, to get directions to the circle.

By the time we’d eaten and settled into our new B&B it was approaching dusk, so we set off to find it. The walk to the circle was lovely, a fox crossed our path as we spotted the stones in the field but as it was getting dark (and the midges were getting frisky) we decided to come back the next day to look a little closer.

Next morning was less sunny but still dry. Walked back up to the circle and just revelled in the site – no one else around, peaceful and set in the most lovely of spots. Vicky and I did our usual “what do you think....?” “is that a cup mark?“, “why here....?” bit and I took a 360 degree video of the site. I love the compact feel of this circle and pondered whether 9 Stones Close may have looked similar in its original state?

Kinnell of Killin

Moth
Moth Jun 27, 2003

Wednesday 30 April 2003
The weather had declined from ‘fine’ to ‘OK’ up until around the time we were halfway up the driveway to Kinnell, where it started to drizzle. But it remained reasonably bright and the fine spray was actually quite refreshing after around 6 hours in the car!

We walked round to the yard at the back of the farm to ask permission. As anyone who has been there will know, the drive passes very close to the circle (I had to drag John away) and you can have a good stare in the process of going to ask.

Incidentally, is it just me who finds this amusing? Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind at all. In fact I quite like it. As other people have remarked on this website, specific permission guarantees a relaxed visit – not that I’m very timid anyway. It just tickles me.

Anyway, we were, as usual, kindly granted permission. By a person of the male persuasion for a change!

I really like Kinnell of Killin. I liked Julian’s pic and description of it in the big ‘papery’ TMA. And ever since it came into sight as I ran up the drive on my first visit, I’ve really liked it. (It was time to head home really that day and I didn’t want to ‘push’ my partner at the time too far!)

Every time I’ve been there the weather has been ‘changeable’ at best, but I always find it pleasant place. Although it’s a small circle surrounded by big hills, it’s in a wide graduated valley and, for me this reinstates a feeling of space. If you imagine it without the imposing farm buildings and the field wall that passes too close for comfort, I find that the little site really ‘opens-up’.

I wonder if at some stage someone will add some notes about this circle and not mention rain?

Kinnell of Killin

W
winterjc Jun 10, 2002

8/6/02

We walked from the village car park, over the disused railway bridge over the Dochart and then into the estate. We got permission at the house and cautiously walked passed the cows and calves.

The sun was hot but the field the ground was heavy as it had been raining heavily the previous day.

What a place though. It’s such a well preserved, compact little circle. The River, just a few hundred yards to the west of the circle, flows northwards towards Loch Tay.

I sat down in the middle of the circle and heard kids playing by the house, the peacock and a chainsaw up in the woods above the field with the rocky, Sron a Chlachain looking down from the west.

Kinnell of Killin

Martin
Martin May 25, 2002

Kinnell Park
Sunday 19/5/02
Kinnell! It’s almost stopped lashing down- now a ‘pleasant’ drizzle, but black, black skies all around. I’ve been kindly granted permission to visit this circle despite the fact that there are cows and calves in the field- as long as I stay well away from them they shouldn’t have the urge to trample me to death! The woman at the massive Kinnell House was very charming and even thanked me for asking permission to visit the site- as always (well- nowadays anyway). The fact that there are ‘Danger-Bulls’ signs around the field kinda put me off. What was I saying about the rain? It’s started again with a vengeance. The circle, the stones, the rain. This is a beautifully preserved circle of six huge stones varying in height from about 2m to 1.2m graded towards the smallest stone at the NE. The stone next to this at the north bears about 4 cup marks on it’s inner face. I’m standing in the middle of the circle. The widest faces of all six stones are looking in on me. It feels oppressive (or perhaps it’s the weather). Here in the centre are a small group of stones, though these look like field clearance as the largest one is covered in plough scars. My pen and notepad are soaking and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to write. I guess it’s time for the elements and the stones to take over…

Miscellaneous

Kinnell of Killin
Stone Circle
fitzcoraldo
fitzcoraldo Oct 15, 2002

“At killin, the circle stands in the private grounds of Kinnel House. Thge quickest way to reach it is by the lane on the south side of the bridge which crosses the falls of Dochart, by the entrance to the fortified island, which has been for centuries the burial ground of the clan MacNab. Possibly the men who built the first earthworks on the island were also responsible for placing the sacred stones in position.
Sadly since 1984 it is no longer possible to walk up to the remaining stones of that circle (six still upright and one fallen) beside the walls of Kinnel House. Now you have to make an appointment before you can go through the gate at the end of the lane. You do that by phoning Killin 212 or arrange a visit through the tourist office in the village.
This procedure is not a tribute to the antiquity of the stones. It has been introduced because the house has now been bought by the owner of Hercules, a wrestling bear, and it is the bear that people are making appointments to see.”

Celtic Journeys
Shirley Toulson
Hutchison 1985

Sites within 20km of Kinnell of Killin

Like all websites everywhere, we use cookies.