Glen
Glen Lochay
Three uncrowded Munros above a quiet Perthshire glen, with a 1950s hydro scheme at its foot.
- Munros
- 3
Glen Lochay runs west from Killin along the River Lochay toward the hills above Tyndrum. The lower glen is marked by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board's 1950s Breadalbane scheme, whose Lochay power station stands near Killin; the upper glen beyond Kenknock farm is open moorland.
Three Munros ring the upper glen: Beinn Heasgarnich on the north side, Creag Mhor at the head of the glen and Meall Glas on the south side. Beinn Heasgarnich is the most substantial — a broad hill with a long approach and excellent views across the Breadalbane plateau toward Ben Lawers and the Tarmachan ridge. The approach from the glen road via Kenknock is straightforward in clear conditions; the summit plateau is wide and featureless, and navigation in poor visibility requires care. All three hills see a fraction of the weekend traffic that nearby Ben Lawers attracts, which for some people is the entire point.
The glen road is single-track with passing places from Killin to Kenknock, above the river, with the hills rising on both sides. Beyond Kenknock, the track continues on foot toward the upper watershed. There is almost nothing at the end of the road except the hills.
The road in
Single-track road etiquette
Pull into passing places to let oncoming vehicles pass. Don't park in passing places. If a faster vehicle is behind you, pull over and let them past. Do not reverse at speed — wait in a passing place.
End of road
The public road ends at the Kenknock farm track end, west of Killin. Beyond is foot-only access into the upper glen and the Munro approaches.
Parking1 spot
Kenknock track end
Charge not published — check on site
Limited roadside space near Kenknock farm. Do not block the farm track or gateways.
Hills from Glen Lochay3 Munros
What's in the glen
Beinn Heasgarnich
The highest of the three Lochay Munros — a broad summit with views across Breadalbane toward Ben Lawers, the Tarmachan ridge and Ben More. The approach from Kenknock is long but technically straightforward, and it is often combined with Creag Mhor to the west.
River Lochay
Our take
Beinn Heasgarnich from Kenknock is a good Munro for a clear day when Ben Lawers is full of Ben Lawers crowds. The ascent is long but uncomplicated, the views from the summit are wide, and you will almost certainly have the ridge to yourself. Creag Mhor, usually combined with Heasgarnich, is excellent. Do not come to Glen Lochay expecting drama in the glen itself — the lower section is hydro infrastructure and farming, and the upper glen is open moor. The payoff is on the tops.
History
Glen Lochay lay within the Breadalbane estates of the Campbells. In the 1950s the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board built its Breadalbane scheme across this part of Perthshire, a linked set of dams, tunnels and power stations that also reached into Glen Lyon, where Cashlie power station stands. The Lochay power station, the scheme's main station on this side, is near Killin.
Practical
- Mobile signal
- Signal in Killin. No signal in the upper glen.
- Midges
- Moderate(3/5)
- Public transport
- Buses reach Killin — check Traveline Scotland for the current service. No public transport into the glen.
- Dogs
- On lead — livestock or ground-nesting birds present.
Map
Hills (green), bothies (brown), parking (blue), wild swimming (light blue).
Nearby glens
Scotland outdoor updates
Route guides, condition reports and seasonal picks — once a month, no noise.
Glen Lochay — common questions
- What's the road into Glen Lochay like?
- Single-track with passing places. The public road ends at the Kenknock farm track end, west of Killin. Beyond is foot-only access into the upper glen and the Munro approaches.
- Is Glen Lochay suitable for motorhomes and campervans?
- Not recommended. Glen Lochay has narrow sections, tight turns, or limited passing space that make it difficult for motorhomes and large campervans. Park at the road end of a wider valley and continue on foot.
- How bad are the midges in Glen Lochay?
- Glen Lochay's midge rating is 3/5 — significant from late May to September. Sheltered, humid evenings are the worst; high wind and the high tops are safest. Carry Smidge and a head net from May onwards.
- Is wild camping allowed in Glen Lochay?
- Wild camping in Scotland is legal under the Land Reform Act 2003 on most unenclosed land, subject to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Avoid enclosed agricultural ground, camp in small numbers, and leave no trace. The Loch Lomond and Trossachs Camping Management Zones (which restrict wild camping in marked areas March-September) do not apply to Glen Lochay.
- Is there public transport to Glen Lochay?
- Buses reach Killin — check Traveline Scotland for the current service. No public transport into the glen.