History of Strathfillan in Central Scotland


Christianity arrived in the area in the 7th Century.

600AD

Ancient Celtic foundation of St Fillan's Priory - which can be seen today at Kirkton.
A battle was fought in 729 between Nectan, King of the Picts and Oengus, son of Fergus, at Clifton.

700AD

The Dark Ages had begun to cause a massive gap in the recorded history of Britain as a whole, but particularly in remote areas like Strathfillan.
In 1306 Robert The Bruce was ambushed by Alisdair MacDougall of Lorne. A battle ensued on a large flat area known as Dal Righ, or the King's Field, in which Robert was defeated - but despite losing both his sword and the brooch of Lorne, he escaped with his life.

1300AD


At the end of the 15th Century King James IV established a Royal hunting lodge at Auch, in the vast Caledonian Forest. Today only 2 small parts of this woodland remain, one at the end of Cononish and the other between Bridge of Orchy and Inveroran.

1400AD

Evidence suggests that there was a working mine at Tyndrum around 1428. It produced enough silver to be declared a 'Royal Mine' but output was probably sporadic.

1600AD

Crianlarich & Tyndrum were established as resting and grazing places during the 17th, 18th and 19th century cattle droving era. An Inn came into existence at Tyndrum, where 2 drove roads met.
In 1730 Sir Robert Clifton opened up commercial mining in the area in pursuit of lead.

1700AD

Between 1751 and 1761 General Caufield constructed the military road system from Stirling to Fort William, passing through Strathfillan.
In 1870 Victorian railway engineers stretched the railway system from Callander as far as Crianlarich. In 1873 the same line reached Tyndrum on its way to Oban.

1800AD

In 1870 Victorian railway engineers stretched the railway system from Callander as far as Crianlarich. In 1873 the same line reached Tyndrum on its way to Oban.

Ben More Lodge Hotel, Crianlarich, Perthshire FK20 8QS

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