Trossachs
Contents |
The Trossachs Visitor Guide
Aberfoyle | Callander | North Of Callander
About The Trossachs
Strictly speaking, the Trossachs is the narrow wooded glen between Loch Katrine and Loch Achray, but the name is now used to describe a much larger area between Argyll and Perthshire, stretching north from the Campsies and west from Callander to the eastern shore of Loch Lomond. It's a very beautiful and diverse area of sparkling lochs, craggy mountains and deep, forested glens, and for this reason is often called the 'Highlands in miniature'. Visit in the autumn when the hills are purple and the trees are a thousand luminous hues, from lustrous gold to flaming scarlet and blazing orange.
The Trossachs was one of the country's first holiday regions, and remains a major tourist destination. Its enduring appeal is due in no small measure to Sir Walter Scott, who eulogized its great natural beauty in his epic poem, Lady of the Lake, and whose historical novel, Rob Roy, brought to public attention the region's other great attraction, Rob Roy MacGregor, one of the great romantic Highland figures.
Getting Around The Trossachs
There are regular buses from Monday to Saturady that starts from Stirling to Aberfoyle and Callander (T0870-6082608). There are also daily services to Aberfoyle from Glasgow, via Balfron. There is a daily Scottish Citylink service between Edinburgh and the Isle of Skye that stops in Callander and links with buses to Killin.
There is a postbus service T01752-494527, http://www.royalmail.com/postbus, from Aberfoyle to Inversnaid on Loch Lomond. It leaves Aberfoyle post office daily, except Sunday, at 0900 and arrives at Inversnaid at 1325.
Trossachs Trundler is an alternative for those wanting to make the journey from Callander to Aberfoyle via the SS Sir Walter Scott on Loch Katrine before winding over the Duke's Pass into Aberfoyle. Running four times a day between May and early October. Current prices are £5 for a day-pass or £12 for a family of four. Stirling Tourist Information Centre or local Trossachs Tourist Information Centres.
Walking The Trossachs
The Trossachs is superb walking country. The two most challenging peaks are Ben Venue and Ben A'an around Loch Katrine and Loch Achray, about 10 miles west of Callander. Ben Venue (2,385 ft) is the more difficult climb. It starts from behind the Loch Achray Hotel and is waymarked, but it's a strenuous climb which requires hill walking experience, proper clothing and all the usual safety precautions. Allow about five hours for the return trip. Ben A'an (1,520 ft) isn't a giant of a hill, but it's a steep climb from the start, from the car park of the former Trossachs Hotel (now a timeshare development) on the north bank of Loch Achray, and there's a bit of scrambling involved near the summit. It takes about 11/2 hours to the top. The views from both hills are stupendous on clear days, but remember that the weather is as unpredictable in the Trossach mountains as anywhere else in the Highlands. A useful guide is Collins' Walk Loch Lomond and the Trossachs.
Both these mountains lie within the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park. This vast and spectacular wilderness of 75,000 acres borders Loch Lomond to the west and incorporates Loch Ard, Loch Achray and Loch Lubnaig, as well as Ben Venue, Ben A'An and Ben Ledi, which overlooks Callander. The park is run by the Forestry Commission and is criss-crossed by a network of less difficult waymarked trails and paths which start from the David Marshall Lodge, Queen Elizabeth Park Visitor Centre, T01877-382258, Mar-Jun, Sep-Oct daily 1000-1700; Jul-Aug 1000-1800; Nov-Feb 1000-1600, parking £1, about half a mile north of Aberfoyle on the A821. The centre incorporates audio-visual displays on the park's flora and fauna and information on the numerous walks and cycle routes, a restaurant and children's play area.