Home Report Killearn

Killearn is an attractive and neighbourly village of some 1700 residents nestled near the northwestern end of the Campsies, located in the Stirling council area. Originally an agricultural village, today it is a commuter settlement for people mainly working in greater Glasgow, and other nearby settlements. It is around 17 miles north of Glasgow and about 7 miles east of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. The village also lies on the Highland Fault Line, which separates Highland from Lowland Scotland. Killearn is a place that gives the idea of being in an isolated village without actually being too far away from anything. Glasgow travel time for instance is only about 25 to 30 minutes.

As mentioned, the village is mostly home to commuters. With no railway line residents rely on road and car to get around. The A875 and B834 roads pass through the village allowing for onward travel south to Glasgow, or westwards to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, as well as east to Stirling. There is a regular bus service to and from Glasgow Buchanan Street Bus Station, Stirling Bus Station and Balloch with limited other connections.

In terms of local amenities, the village has places to eat, local convenience stores, a popular pub and a village hall that hosts many events. Though residents would have to travel outwards to Glasgow for instance for a wider variety of amenities.

There is however quite an array of things to do and see in or near the village. The West Highland Way passes close by, and many walkers use the village as a stop off and rest point. Being so close to the Campsie Fells themselves provides great walking and nature spotting opportunities. To the west of the village is the popular Pots of Gartness, which are rocky pools where salmon jump on their way upriver to spawn. The best time to go is said to be October and November. Situated at nearby Dumgoyne to the south is Glengoyne Distillery which is the most southerly Highland malt whisky distillery. There is an obelisk memorial in the centre of the town – the Buchanan Monument – dedicated to George Buchanan, a 16th-century historian, scholar and tutor to King James VI. He was a native of Killearn and became of the most profound intellectuals of the sixteenth century in Scotland. The Pepper Pot is worth a mention too. It’s a fantastic garden that has has a colourful range of flowers and plants to enjoy, even some exotic.

In terms of local education then, Killearn Primary School is the only primary school in the village. The closest secondary school is Balfron High School which most pupils are bussed to.