Crianlarich
Richards Mountain Pages

Crianlarich is surrounded by some fine mountains, some of which can be seen in the view above (Ben More and Cruach Ardrain from Ben Nan Imirean). This section covers not just Crianlarich, but Killin, Tyndrum, Bridge Of Orchy, and for good measure the area around Cruachan. If its Cruachan or Ben Lui you are after, try these pages I've devoted to them....

As for the rest of the region, there is a fine group of mountains around Ben More and Cruach Ardrain (as seen at the top of this page. My favourite amongst these is Cruach Ardrain. Because I've always tackled it in winter conditions (far worse than the spindrift being blasted around in the view below), its taken me five attempts to get to the summit. In those five tries, I've explored many of its numerous sprawling spurs.


North a bit, we come to the peak of Ben Challum, with a nice ridge connecting its two tops; and a whole host of smaller peaks jostling around its base.

North a bit more, you'll find the stunning profile of Beinn Dorain. Despite its smoothly steepening gradient on all sides viewed from the South, there is actually a straight forward walk to the summit, from Bridge of Orchy station.

Right over to the East of the region, we have the mountains around Ben Lawers. Of these the Ptarmigan ridge of Meall Nan Tarmachan is reckoned to be a pretty good walk. I did it (or at least I think I did) in claggy weather, so it didn't seem anything special. On the Lawers group itself the one interesting bit is the scramble up An Stuc from the East on the full traverse.

Geology
Its quite obvious that the region is dominated by U-shaped valleys formed by glacial action. The rocks themselevs vary, but consist mainly of schists and quartzite, but the Cruachan massif is red granite. An old lead mine near Tyndrum has abundant galena in its spoil heaps. There is also gold in them thar hills (spot the mine by the large cleft near Connonish Farm), but its proving tricky to get hold of.

Settlements
There are three main settlements in this area, spaced evenly along the main road to Fort William. All three have train stations. They provide facilities, but lack any sort of charm. In addition there is Killin to the East.

• Crianlarich - A youth hostel, a hotel, a village shop and a cluster of houses. The village pub - 'The Rod And Reel' is now open 'only at weekends' during the winter months.
• Tyndrum - Several hotels, a village shop, a tourist information with very limited opening hours, a Little Chef, and some houses
• Bridge Of Orchy - a pub / hotel and a few houses
• Killin - quite a big place by highland standards, complete with plenty of shops, a youth hostel and many other places to stay

Transport
This area is quite well served by transport (by Highland standards), and since it is South of the expanse of Rannoch Moor, it is unlikely to get cut off in Winter (hence why I have done many winter trips to this region, and have so many snowy pictures here).

• Trains run three times a day in each direction (plus the sleeper) between Glasgow (Queen Street) and Fort William, stopping at Crianlarich, Tyndrum and Bridge Of Orchy. At Crianlarich the train divides. Half continues to Fort William, whilst the other half heads for Dalmally, Loch Awe and Oban. It will stop on request at 'Falls Of Cruachan' for the Cruachan horseshoe.
• A frequent bus service from Glasgow to Fort William also passes through Crianlarich, Tyndrum and Bridge of Orchy. A similar bus passes Dalmally, and Loch Awe, on its way to Oban.
• From Stirling (where there is a train station), a few buses run to Killin.
• There is a once a day postbus from Crianlarich to Killin (and back) on weekdays.

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