Kinlochleven: A secluded spot in the Scottish Highlands

 

View of village and local river

This evening, I am posting information on the secluded village of Kinlochleven (pop 1100) which is set in the Scottish Highlands against a backdrop of stunning scenery comprising mountains, Loch Leven, a river, moor and woodland.

By road, Kinlochleven is twenty-two miles S.E. of Fort William and seven miles east of Glencoe.

The name translates as 'at the head of Loch Leven'.


Morning view of Kinlochleven from West Highland Way 

View of Loch Leven from vantage point of West Highland Way.

Despite many attractive features, Kinlochleven does not receive the high volume of tourists who frequent nearby Fort William and Glencoe. However, the village is conveniently situated on the line of the West Highland Way, a long distance hiking trail which is used by some 30,000 people each year many of whom use Kinlochleven as an overnight stop-over.

The village rose to prominence in 1909 upon commissionming of a huge aluminium smelter which was powered by a hydro-electric scheme using water sourced from a dam created in the mountains high above the village.The smelter was closed in 2000 after which substantial assets and land were transferred to a local Community Trust. However, electricity generation continues.

The Community Trust was formed to acquire land transferred from the aluminium producing company, Alcan, to the local community for regeneration purposes.As a consequence, the local community moved from its historical dependence of heavy industry to outdoor tourism and smnall businesses.

Loch Leven and the River Leven provide for water based activities. In the town is the Ice Factor, a facility which provides for indoor ice and rock climbing.For visitors there is a wide range of accommodation to suit most budgets plus a couple of inns.

The writer was impressed by the freshness of the air and cleanliness of the environment.

Fast flowing river at Kinlochleven

White water activities
 

Housing at Kinlochleven


The Tailrace Inn (pub).

Ice Factor building-indoors ice and rock climbing



Lairigmor (the great pass)

Overall, Kinlochleven would present a good location for a visitor wishing to connect with the Scottish Highlands whilst desiring a base away from the hustle and bustle of more popular tourist centres.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Reconstructed Roman Villa

Image
This evening, I am reporting on my visit earlier today to a meticulously reconstructed Roman Villa in Somerset, England.   Funding for the project was provided by a South African billionaire. Specific features of the reconstruction project which is known as 'Villa Ventorum': Employed hundreds of architects, builders, archaelogists, mosaic makers, fresco painters and experts on ancient plumbing. The new build was built close to the remains of the original villa which dates from AD351. Incorporates the only working hypocaust system in Europe to create authentic Roman underfloor heating. Thne system also provides heating for the internal baths. Designed to appear to visitors as though still in use. Mosaics and frescoes have been made below the top standards of the time (e.g. Chedworth ) to reflect the social rank of the resident family. Incorporates a Roman 'fast food bar' allong the lines of that found in Pompeii . (Core of above information sourced from the Times newspap
Read more

Glen Quaich, one of Scotland's best backroads tour routes

Image
This afternoon, I am reporting the route of Glen Quaich in Central Scotland. This is a scenic, single track road which is usually closed to traffic in winter. The route covers about twelve miles and runs between the villages of Amulree and Kenmore on the northern tip of Loch Tay in Perthshire. Depending on time of year it is possible to encounter low lying snow, many sheep, grouse and other exceptional opportunities for photography. Incidentally, Quaich means a drinking cup. In a certain place the landscape is shaped like a bowl. Glen Quaich, Perthshire, Scotland Glen Quaich Black Grouse at Glen Quaich Here are a couple of video clips.
Read more

Fort Augustus, a popular visitor site on southern tip of Loch Ness

Image
Loch Ness from flight of locks at Fort Augustus, Scottish Highlands This evening, I am posting information on Fort Augustus, a busy tourist village on the southern tip of Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. Summary information on Fort Augustus as follows:- Population about 650 persons. Distance, about 160 miles from Edinburgh and 35 miles from Inverness entailing journey times of 3.5 hours and 1 hour respectively. Well endowed with hotels and other accommodation plus shops, restaurants and visitor attractions. From here visitors can avail of boat trips on Loch Ness. Home to an impressive flight of five locks on the Caledonian Canal. Latter dates from 1822 and is now primarily used by pleasure boats. Closely linked with the 18th century Jacobite uprising in that (a) the village was renamed Fort Augustus (after Prince William Augustus, third son of King George II) consequent upon construction of a British military (redcoat) fort in 1742 and (b) the same Prince
Read more