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Situated in the far western corner of Strathearn, the village of St. Fillans is twelve miles from Crieff and five from Comrie.
The journey between Comrie and St Fillans is widely regarded to be one of the most scenic and truly beautiful routes in central Scotland.
Until the early 1800s St. Fillans was known as Port of Lochearn or Meikleport, at which time it was a sleepy clachan (or hamlet), comprising a few thatched cottages, a limekiln, a brewery and of course, a distillery!
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As with so many of Scotland's now tranquil and pictureque towns and villages, there is a long and often bloody history to be told.
St Fillans witnessed many a scene worthy of retelling, particulary in relation to the Stewarts of Ardvorlich. A few miles outside the village you will find Ardvorlich House (associated with Sir Walter Scott's "The Legend of Montrose") the home of the Stewarts since 1580.
Near the entrance to Ardvorlich House you will see a tombstone marking the spot where workmen unearthed the graves of seven Glen Coe men, killed whilst attempting a raid on the house in 1620.
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This part of Scotland is a paradise for the walker, with leisurely strolls in the surrounding foothills to serious hill treks for the more energetic.
St Fillans village was laid out in the 19th century by the Drummond family.
To the east lies the remains of the ancient 7th century Pictish fort of Dundurn.
There is a large hydro-electric power station in St Fillans, fed from a dam at Loch Lednock high above the village. You would be forgiven for missing the station though, it is underground and was hewn out of solid rock.
Loch Earn Castle was situated on an island just off St Fillans. Now totally ruined but once a stronghold of the MacNeishes from 1250 until mid 15th century. |