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Kippen

Visiting Kippen in Stirlingshire

30 minutes from Loch Lomond Waterfront lies Kippen village in West Stirlingshire. Located between the Gargunnock Hills and the Fintry Hills, on the line of an 18th century military road. The village has an interesting history, and is worth a stop on your travels.

Food and drink

At Kippen, you can visit the delightful coffee shop Rhubarb and Lime. Or stop for some refreshments and shopping at The Woodhouse café and farm shop.

Kippen village walks

There are several picturesque walks beginning in Kippen, ranging from gentle strolls through the village and woodland, to more challenging routes up into the hills. Plan your walk here.

Legends of Kippen

One of Kippen’s most famous tales comes from the 16th century. Chief John Buchanan, proprietor of nearby Arnprior, became known as the King of Kippen, after an exchange with King James V of Scotland. The story goes that the Buchanans attacked and robbed the king’s hunting party one day, as they returned from the hills. In exchanging messages with the king, Buchanan declared that if James was King of Scotland, then he was King of Kippen. The king enjoyed the joke, and visited Buchanan at the palace of Arnprior, in disguise as “the Guidman of Ballengeich’. The two became friends and James later invited Buchanan to Stirling Castle as the King of Kippen.

Kippen is also known for its historic vineyard, the Kippen Vinery, which was planted in the village in 1891. One of its vines became the largest in the world, covering 5,000 square feet across four greenhouses. The vinery closed in 1964. However, cuttings of the vine were taken. And it now lives on at other locations in Scotland, such as Culzean Castle and Country Park Ayrshire.

After visiting Kippen and other local towns and villages around Stirlingshire, you can return to your lodge at Loch Lomond Waterfront to relax, unwind and start planning tomorrow’s itinerary.