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Gigantic ice sheets on the move
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The Great Moor is one of the last remaining wildernesses in Europe and stretches out far to the north and west from Rannoch Station and the end of the B846. Lying at an average height of 1000 feet/305 metres above sea level, the area is a vast stretch of land composed of blanket bog, lochans, rivers and rocky outcrops. Despite a distinctly damp and peaty appearance, the `floor` of the moor is made of granite with the upper peat layer reaching depths of up to 20 feet in places. During the last Ice Age (approximately 10,000 years ago) an enormous glacier covered the moor - with powerful, slowing moving ice sheets radiating outwards and gouging out many of the glens in the region including the Rannoch/Tummel Valley, Glencoe and Glen Etive.
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A remote landscape teaming with life
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Rannoch Moor is a beautiful, special place –it is also one of the most desolate, wild and challenging environments in the whole of Scotland. The flora and fauna love it! A wealth of plant, insect, bird and animal life can be found on the moor and, in places, where the peat has dried out, the roots of old pine trees from the ancient Caledonian forest are exposed, some of which are thousands of years old.
Birds include curlew and grouse on the heathery areas and red breasted merganser on the lochs. Roe deer and herds of red deer also enjoy the solitude.
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A railway built on a bog
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One of the best ways to get a feel for this unique area is to take a train journey on the famous West Highland Railway. The railway line that crosses the moor rises to over 1300 feet and travels over 23 miles of moorland. Construction of the track began in 1889, but the extreme wet and boggy conditions, coupled with the lack of firm foundations meant that viaducts had to be built over the worst parts and some of the bogs had to be filled with brushwood and turf, before the line was finally opened in 1894. The West Highland Railway Line runs between Glasgow and Fort William, on a circuitous route.
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Superb Walks
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High mountains are also a feature of the moor although these are best left to experienced hillwalkers with excellent navigation skills. All walkers should be aware of the character of the moor - beautiful but very challenging in bad weather or in winter.
Scenic lower level paths (see below). See Ordnance Survey Landranger Maps 41 and 51.
# Rannoch Station across the moor to Corrour Station - 9 mile/14 km linear tramp on a reasonable track (Right of Way). Option to get the train back from Corrour to Rannoch.
# Circuit of Loch Ossian starting from Corrour Station - 7 mile/11 km circular route on a well surfaced path. Ideal for mountain bikes too.
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Rannoch Moor Visitor Centre
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Rannoch Station © James Rattray
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Opened by Professor David Bellamy in September 2005, the new centre is housed within the historic Swiss chalet buildings at Rannoch Station. High quality interpretation focuses on the beauty and interest of the Rannoch Moor - its evolution, early historical development, flora and fauna and the importance of the railway to the area.
The Rannoch Moor Visitor Centre is open from March to October, 10am to 5pm. A tearoom is also located within the centre.
Rannoch Station
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Getting there
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Corrour Station
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Visitors staying in Perthshire can easily enjoy a day out on the moor by starting their journey from either Crianlarich Station or Rannoch Station.
(First ScotRail T: 08457 484950 Train Information
By road the moor is best accessed from the B846 which stretches west from Pitlochry. The road ends, and the moor begins, at Rannoch Station.
A small SYHA hostel is located on the shores of Loch Ossian - walk 1 mile from Corrour Station. (NB: there is no vehicle access to either the hostel or Corrour Station). Advance booking of hostel essential.
The VisitScotland Information Centre in Pitlochry can provide details on this and other accommodation in the area. (T: 01796 472215)
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