Oh how I love Killin. It has a real community feel, nestled at the bottom of the Tarmachan and Ben Lawers mountains. I love the way you walk down the high street and there on the left you have the bank building which just looks like a house, and the towering mountains in the background. Really impressive when the peaks are snow capped. The Falls of Dochart tumble right through the middle and are a great tourist attraction. they come by the bus load to snap and peer at the galloping waters.
The dogs of Killin are characters in their own right. A nice flatcoat retriever hovers at the door of the wonderful Cappercaillie restaurant, where you are guaranteed good food and good service. I've eaten in several other eateries in the town, and still prefer the aforementioned. Not posh, but comfortable and welcoming. Meandering down the street I was greeted by another waggy tail behind green railings as his owner tended the garden. I got a friendly hello from them both. And then a rather inquisitive who the hell are you from a fat old thing that was toddling up the road.
A rotty-cross breed I suspect, most likely labrador. He just gave me an old fashioned look and kept on going.
They have an interesting art gallery, a £1 shop, which is always worth a look (half my kitchen utensils came from there) lots of eateries, a laundrette and a well stocked Co-op. There's also a wee bakery, a paper shop,an outdoor shop, an ironmonger's, a gift shop near the bridge, a shop with a great title, Killin' Time, which seems to make interesting clocks and of course the Breadalbane Visitor centre, where you can learn some local history.
I hope someone soon invests some money into the gift shop and cafe that lie derelict in the centre of the village, let's hope they are not turned into the ubiquitous flats that are leaping up across the land everywhere that there's an opportunity.
Killin is host to many walkers, climbers, watersports people you name it. It sits at the head of Loch Tay and is well worth a visit. It's a place you leave, knowing you will return.