Killin is a village in Perthshire in the central Highlands of Scotland. Situated at the western head of Loch Tay.

Killin has long been associated with Clan MacNab. The clan’s ancient burial ground is located on Innis Bhuidhe (the “Yellow Island”) in the River Dochart, just below the falls. This island is the final resting place for many of the clan’s chiefs and is accessible from the bridge. The burial ground reflects the clan’s deep-rooted presence in the area. 

James arrived in Killin as the afternoon light stretched long across the Falls of Dochart, turning the surging waters into molten silver. The river roared, the mist rising like spirits between the jagged stones. He gripped the bridge’s rail, letting the spray hit his face. This was a place of movement—a place of passing through.

Lawers was behind him now. He had stood by its crumbling kirk, felt the weight of history in the stones, and thought—just for a moment—that he had heard something in the wind. A whisper of prophecy. Whether it had been real or just the mind playing tricks, he didn’t know. But now, he was here. Killin.

The village had always been a waypoint, a place between what was and what came next. As a boy, he had known it only as the place where you caught the train to Glasgow, an alternative to Aberfeldy. But now, he looked with different eyes.

To his left, the whitewashed Killin Hotel stood sturdy against time. He had heard a story—Ann Crawford, the actress, had once owned a hotel here, or perhaps her family had. He wasn’t sure if it was this one, but the thought lingered. The past clung to places like this.

Further down, the remnants of the old railway station sat in quiet abandonment. The Callander and Oban Railway had once linked the Highlands to the wider world. Now, its tracks were gone, and the waiting room sat empty as if still holding echoes of those who had once stood on its platform, tickets in hand, bound for places unknown.

Beyond the village, he caught sight of Innis Bhuidhe, the island where the MacNab chiefs lay buried, the river swirling around their final resting place. He had read about the Killin Incident of 1749, when the villagers defied the British and freed two men arrested for wearing Highland dress—a rare act of defiance when the Highlands had been silenced.

James exhaled, adjusting the strap of his bag. There was always something left behind in places like this. Echoes. Footsteps. Names that lingered.

But he wasn’t meant to stay. The road stretched onward, and beyond the hills, his next destination waited.

He looked at the roaring Falls of Dochart, then stepped away from the bridge, toward whatever lay ahead.

The Killin Incident of 1749:

Tensions remained high in the Highlands after the Jacobite rising of 1745. In August 1749, two men wearing traditional Highland dress—outlawed by the Dress Act of 1746—were captured by British soldiers in Killin. However, a local mob, supported by the sheriff depute, intervened and secured their release, highlighting the community’s resistance to external authority and the cultural significance of traditional attire. 

The Falls of Dochart and Currency Imagery:

The Falls of Dochart, a series of rapids running through Killin, are a natural spectacle and have been culturally significant. While specific details about their depiction on currency in the 1940s are scarce, the falls have been emblematic of the region’s beauty and heritage. Their inclusion in various artworks and possibly currency designs underscores their iconic status in Scottish imagery.

Anne Crawford’s Connection:

Anne Crawford, a British film actress born in 1920, had a career spanning the 1940s and 1950s. While there isn’t concrete evidence linking her or her family to hotel ownership in Killin, local lore or anecdotal accounts may have associated her with the area. Further research into local archives or historical societies might illuminate any such connections. 

Literary and Royal Connections:

Killin has attracted notable visitors over the centuries. The poet William Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy visited in September 1804, and Queen Victoria and Prince Albert passed through the village in 1842 during a journey from Taymouth Castle. These visits highlight Killin’s appeal and significance during those times. 

James in Killin – Moving Forward: Tomorrow, he heads for Foringall en route to Aberfeldy train station and destinations unknown.