The name Tyndrum comes from the Scottish Gaelic “Taigh an Droma” meaning “The house on the ridge”.
Tyndrum is built over an ancient battle field of the “Battle of Dalrigh” in 1306. This battle was fought between Clan MacDougall and Robert the Bruce and was the site of a rare defeat of Robert the Bruce and his men.
Robert the Bruce is well known to Scots, but was made world famous in the film Braveheart. Also more recently in the film "Robert the Bruce" in which he is portrayed by actor Angus McFadyen, who was also the very same actor that played his role in Braveheart 26 years prior. The film "Outlaw King" is another more recent film which is based on Robert the Bruce.
There is a small stone bench on the West Highland Way route through Tyndrum which marks the site of this battle.
It is reported that in order to allow for a quick retreat, Robert the Bruce ordered his men to discard their weapons in to a nearby Loch. This Loch is now named “The Loch of the Legend of the Lost Sword” – after Roberts sword, which was said to have been over 6 feet in length.
The Green Welly Stop
The Green Welly Stop is a well known shopping and dining centre that is found in Tyndrum. It has long been a popular stopping point on the road for those travelling to and from the highlands. With a large dining area and several different shops selling a variety of items including souvenirs, whisky, and outdoor clothing, it is worth a visit for anyone passing through the area.
Tyndrum Mining Center
Tyndrum later went on to be come a mining centre, with both lead and gold mining taking place in different phases between 1730 and 1928.
There has long been a proposed gold mine just 2 miles south of Tyndrum. Work on constructing the mine took place in the 1980’s, but due to falling gold prices at the time the gold mine was closed before it ever became fully operational. It was announced in 2011 that the mine would be reactivated and was expected to produce over 5,100kg of gold and 18,500kg of silver over a 10 year period. This was expected to generate around £80 million for the Scottish economy. Unfortunately, due to planning difficulties and yet another decline in the price of gold – the opening of the mine was once again delayed. The mine is once again scheduled to be developed in early 2022 with updated estimates of over 5,600kg of gold and 24,125kg of silver.
Railway Trivia
Tyndrum has a unique claim of being the smallest settlement in the UK to have more than one railway station (and two different railway lines). These two different railway lines orignally built by two different rail companies pass through Tyndrum. One statiomn being ‘Upper Tyndrum’ – on the line which travels north to Fort William, and the other station, ‘Lower Tyndrum’ – which connects with Oban.
