MacLaren Clanland

is located in the southern Highlands in the Loch Lomand & Trossachs National Park (north of Stirling) around the village of Balquhidder.

The small town of Balquhidder itself does not have many inhabitants (in Scottish such small towns that have a "parish church" are also called "Kirkton"). However, Balquhidder has a "Village Hall", a cemetery with a church of the Parish Church of Scotland and the ruined church "Auld Kirk".

The cemetery is a MacLaren burial ground where all of the MacLaren chiefs are buried. Our long-time clan chief Donald MacLaren, who unfortunately died suddenly and unexpectedly of a heart attack in 2023, has also found his final resting place there.

A hiking trail (approx. 30 minutes) starts from the cemetery to the historic clan site "Creag an Tuirc". This is a rocky outcrop on Mount Meal an t-Seallaidh. "Creag an Tuirc" or "Boar's Rock". The MacLaren used to meet here when there was something to discuss or celebrate.

Balquhidder is framed by Loch Voil in the west, Meal an t-Seallaidh in the north, and Crag Mohr and Beinn an t-Sidhein in the south. This overwhelming landscape attracts countless hikers every year. But cyclists also visit this area, as the disused Callander-Oban railway line is a wonderful cycle path that crosses the area.

The MacLaren have made it their mission to restore the ruins of the "Auld Kirk at Balquhidder" and secure them for the future.