Glen Lyon, near Aberfeldy, Perthshire, Scotland

Loch Lyon

Reservoir

Place photograph

5.8

Wildland

1–2 hours

Time

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Cost

Remote

Feel

Remote countrysideValleyHillsPhotographersWalkers

Why it's Wildland

5.8

At the far end of a long Highland glen, the road reaches Loch Lyon and its huge dam—a striking destination after the mountains, river and scattered hamlets of Glen Lyon.

Loch Lyon earns its place for the journey as much as the destination: it lies at the end of a long, sparsely settled glen, where the road follows the River Lyon beneath high mountains before reaching the reservoir and its immense dam.

Remote · Dramatic

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Glen Lyon, near Aberfeldy, Perthshire, Scotland

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The experience

Visit as the destination on a scenic drive through Glen Lyon. The route described by Visit Aberfeldy passes high mountains, wooded riverbanks and small settlements before reaching Loch Lyon’s dam. No specific walking circuit or water activity at the reservoir is confirmed.

Things to do

Drive the length of Glen Lyon

Follow the route described by Visit Aberfeldy through the glen, from Fortingall and the wooded banks of the River Lyon towards Loch Lyon and its dam. The road is described as twisting and single-track.

Pause at MacGregor’s Leap

Look for the deep chasm just beyond the four-arched Bridge of Lyon. The local tourism source recounts that, in 1565, a Clan MacGregor chief reputedly escaped pursuing Campbells here; this is presented as a reported story, not verified history.

Take in Loch Lyon’s dam and setting

At the end of the Glen Lyon road, view the reservoir and its large dam from areas where access is permitted. The source does not confirm access to the dam structure or shoreline.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · 1–2 hours

Quick Escape: Reach the end of Glen Lyon

01
Drive along Glen Lyon towards Loch Lyon, following the route from Bridge of Balgie.
02
At the reservoir, take in the surrounding Highland landscape and the large dam from places where access is permitted.
03
Return the way you came; check road conditions and access arrangements first.

Half day · Half day

Make a half day of it: Follow Glen Lyon to Loch Lyon

01
Follow the Fortingall Way to Fortingall, then turn onto the twisting single-track road through Glen Lyon.
02
Pause at the Bridge of Lyon and look for MacGregor’s Leap, a chasm associated with a local account of a 1565 escape.
03
Continue past Innerwick and Bridge of Balgie; the source notes footpaths at Innerwick and a tearoom and craft shop at Bridge of Balgie.
04
Continue to Loch Lyon and its large dam, then return along the glen. Check the tearoom’s opening and access details before travelling.

Verified history

The supplied local tourism guide describes Glen Lyon as more than 30 miles long and says it was once home to over 2,000 people, while fewer than 100 residents live there today. It also identifies the large dam at Loch Lyon and the hydroelectric power station at Cashlie. These details concern the glen and its route; the source gives no specific historical account of the reservoir itself.

Folklore & legend

Local account: MacGregor’s Leap, a deep chasm just beyond the Bridge of Lyon, is associated with a story that a Clan MacGregor chief escaped pursuing Campbells there in 1565. The source says this reputedly happened; it should be treated as local legend rather than established fact.

Hidden details

MacGregor’s Leap — Just beyond the four-arched Bridge of Lyon, the guide points out a deep chasm with a local story attached: a Clan MacGregor chief reputedly escaped pursuers there in 1565.

When to go

· Not specified in the supplied sources.

The supplied sources do not identify a best season. Conditions on the described single-track road and in the glen should be checked before travel.

Check current weather and road conditions before setting out. No specific weather guidance for Loch Lyon is provided in the supplied sources.

Worth pairing with

Bridge of Balgie

A settlement on the Glen Lyon route. The supplied tourism guide notes a tearoom and craft shop there; check opening before visiting.

Innerwick footpaths

The Glen Lyon guide says footpaths at Innerwick lead to views up and down the glen. It does not provide route details or access information.

What to look for

Notice how the road follows the wooded banks of the River Lyon beneath high mountains, then opens towards the reservoir and its large dam. The supplied sources do not identify specific wildlife, trails or historical features at the loch.

Best time to go

Not established by the supplied sources; check conditions before setting out.

The supplied sources do not identify a best season or time of day. Check current road and weather conditions before travelling.

How long to spend

1–2 hours

Perfect for

Photographers · Walkers

Before you go

Google Maps

Address

Aberfeldy PH15 2PX

Google rating

4.7 · 12 reviews

Practical information

Opening & access

A road through Glen Lyon reaches Loch Lyon and its large dam. The supplied information does not confirm access to the shoreline or dam structures; check local access and restrictions before visiting. Access arrangements are unconfirmed. Check before visiting; do not enter private land or restricted structures.

Check before visiting

Parking

Parking arrangements are not confirmed. Check before visiting.

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Toilets

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Food & drink

A tearoom and craft shop are noted at Bridge of Balgie, along the Glen Lyon route; check opening before setting out.

Check before visiting

Dogs

Check before visiting.

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Accessibility

The supplied source describes a twisting single-track road through Glen Lyon to the reservoir. It does not establish accessible paths or facilities at Loch Lyon. Check road and access conditions before visiting.

Check before visiting

Cost

Check before visiting.

Check before visiting

Water

Reservoir