Welcome to Strathfillan
General Description of Tyndrum
Tyndrum (Taigh an Droma in Gaelic) was once two small hamlets but these have now merged and have taken the name of the original. The second hamlet is called Clifton named after the chap who started the lead mine on the hill opposite ( Sir Robert Clifton ).Its Gaelic name means "the house on the ridge" or "house on the rock". It lies in Strathfillan, 5 miles north of Crianlarich.
The main industry is tourism, although employment can be had in the railway, forestry, hill farming, local trades, crafts etc. In the past you could have worked in the silver mine, the lead mine and more recently, and maybe in the future, the gold mine.
The village is a very popular resting place for tourists as it sits on a very important crossroads serving the West Coast of scotland. Coming from the south you can turn left and head for Oban ( A85 ) and the Isles or right for Fort William ( A82 ) and the north. If going by rail the traveller has two options at Tyndrum, he can climb the steep path to the upper station and get a train to Fort William or head to the lower station and get the train to Oban.If you go south from either station the train will first take you to Crianlarich where the tracks join, then on to Helensburgh and Glasgow. Tyndrum is the smallest village in Scotland to have two railway stations.
In addition to the main transport routes, Tyndrum is also about mid way along the West Highland Way. This is a long distance walk that starts in Milngavie, just north of Glasgow and finishes in Fort William. The route is 95 miles long and passes through continuingly varing scenery. Tyndrum serves the Way by providing 7 accommodation providers, a pub, fish and chip shop, general grocers, tourist information centre, taxi service and souvinear shop. tyndrum is also the home of the famous Green Welly Stop which has been treating visitors since it was originally opened in 1965. It is estimated that something between 30 and 100,000 people walk the 'Way' anually.
Tyndrum is now the Northern Gateway to Scotland's first National Park. Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, "where the magnificent landscape has fired the imagination of writers and artists for centuries. It embraces the deep waters of Loch Lomond, the wild glens of the Trossachs, Breadalbane’s high mountains and the sheltered sea lochs of the Argyll Forest".
General Description of Crianlarich
Crianlarich (A' Chrìon Làraich in Gaelic) lies 5 miles south of Tyndrum and is arguably 'bigger' village in terms of perceived importance. The village's Gaelic name means "low pass".
Again the main industry is tourist related. To my knowledge there was no mining around Crianlarich although it is where the railway splits as it heads north. There was an additional line that came in from Killin but this has since been lifted. Crianlarich was the main rail junction for the area with yards, two stations etc. Now there is just the one station, the original upper station now just Crianlarich Station. The lower station has been demolished and all track removed.
Destinations from Crianlarich are the same as Tyndrum with easy access to most of West and Central Scotland.
The West Highland Way skirts the village to the West.
Location
Tyndrum lies to the south west of the Highlands of Scotland conveniently positioned to tour the highlands, Argyll, Loch Lomond and the central belt including Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Geographically Tyndrum is in the middle of nowhere but in the centre of everything. Within an 90 minute drive you can be in most of Scotland's major tourist attractions as well as many of the lesser know ones.
To the North, the expanse of Rannoch moor spreads from Rannoch Station to the Head of Glencoe, travel through the splendour of Glencoe and over the bridge towards Fort William or south, down the coast to Appin. At Fort William head north to see Nessie at Loch Ness or take to steam train on one of the world's most beautiful railway journeys to Mallaig on the coast and thence the boat to Skye.
To the West, the road takes you to Dalmally, Loch Awe, Taynuilt, Connal and on to Oban where the ferry awaits to take you to any of the West Coast Islands. Head north from Oban to visit Appin and stop at the tearoom specially built to take advantage of the view of Castle Stalker.
South West takes you deep into Argyll and the Argyll Forest Park, Inveraray, Kilmartin, Ardfern, Dunoon and Campbeltown.
East and you head into less dramatic scenery. After Killin and Loch Tay visit Kenmore with its golf, Aberfeldy, Pitlochry, Dunkeld and Perth.
Munros
Tyndrum and Crianlarich are a mecca for hillwalkers, boasting more than 30 munros within 15 miles. Amongst the highest ones are Ben Lui and Ben More with the most recognisable being Ben Dorain to the north of Tyndrum. Walking from Tyndrum it is possible to do 5, 4 of which can be done in 1 day. The picture at the bottom of this page shows Stob Binien to the left and Cruach Ardrain - slightly smaller, double top, left of centre - from above Tyndrum.
Driving
This part of Scotland is a fantastic base for any touring trip. Many car clubs schedule tours around this area as a endorsement to the quality of driving experience to be had here. Day trips can be planned for almost any distance and can include fast sweeping A roads to very challenging unclassified roads that require full concentration even at slow speeds. Enjoy the scenery to the full as you travel along the lochside with the sun setting on yet another enjoyable day. There is a petrol station in Tyndrum so no worries about running short.
