The village has its own primary school,[3] a local Co-Op store, a pre and post school club - The Little Outdoor Classroom, and two nurseries - Mulberrybush Montessori and Heron House[4] The village is approximately 15 miles (24 kilometres) north of Glasgow, 7 miles (11 kilometres) east of Loch Lomond, and sits on the northwest flank of the Campsie Fells, most predominantly in the shadow of the volcanic plug of Dumgoyne, overlooking the confluence of the Endrick Water and Blane Water.

The Glengoyne whisky distillery, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and West Highland Way long-distance walking route are situated close to the village.

The Church of Scotland congregation at Killearn Kirk falls under the Presbytery of Stirling, within the Synod of Forth.

Killearn was the birthplace of the historian and humanist scholar George Buchanan, (February 1506 – 28 September 1582).

Born at The Moss, Killearn, a monument, (Obelisk), at the centre of the village is dedicated to Buchanan.