What to See & Do 2013-14 Explore: Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Outdoor Adventures Discover the largest expanse of freshwater Unspoilt Landscapes in Great Britain Spot seals, otters, red squirrels and osprey Rare Wildlife www.visitscottishheartlands.com Welcome to... Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park 01 06 08 12 Disclaimer VisitScotland has published this guide in good faith to reflect information submitted to it by the proprietor/managers of the premises listed who have paid for their entries to be included. Although VisitScotland has taken reasonable steps to confirm the information contained in the guide at the time of going to press, it cannot guarantee that the information published is and remains accurate. Accordingly, VisitScotland recommends that all information is checked with the proprietor/manager of the business to ensure that the facilities, cost and all other aspects of the premises are satisfactory. 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Quality Assurance awards are correct as of December 2012. near Tyndrum For information on accommodation and things to see and do, go to www.visitscotland.com www.visitscottishheartlands.com Contents 02 Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park 04 Loch Lomond 06 The Trossachs 08 Breadalbane 10 Helensburgh & The Clyde Lochs 12 The Vale of Leven & West Dunbartonshire 14 Wildlife & nature 02 16 Where legends come to life 18 What to see & do Enter Scotland’s first National Park and discover 20 Quality Assurance 21 Practical information a place of outstanding natural beauty on the 22 How to read the listings ‘bonnie banks’ of Loch Lomond. Witness incredible 22 Great days out – Places to Visit 32 Outdoor adventures wildlife in nature reserves found on the secluded 34 On the water islands of this vast stretch of water and soak up 36 Great days out – Leisure Activities spectacular scenery on long walks through lush 40 Food & drink forests and over rugged hillsides. Experience an 41 Great days out – Food & Drink 44 Shopping incredible array of outdoor activities which range 45 Great days out – Shopping from fishing to water skiing, and discover quaint 48 Travel tips 50 Transport villages scattered across the shore. 50 Tours 51 Great days out – Tours Explore the dramatic landscape of the Trossachs where the legendary 54 What’s on Rob Roy once roamed, and fall under the spell of its breathtaking 56 Events & Festivals mountains, glens and lochs. 57 Local Services 57 Family Fun 58 Visitor Information Centres 65 Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park area map Cover Fishing on Loch Lomond near Tarbet. 01 Loch Katrine, from Ben A’an. 02 Glen Ogle, near Lochearnhead. 03 Curling on the Lake of Menteith. 13LOCH Credits 03 Photography: Forestry Commission Picture Library/ Loch Lomond Highland Games/Stirling Council/Loch Katrine Experience/Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park/Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival, Paul Tomkins/VisitScotland/Scottish Viewpoint, Chris Robson, Disney•Pixar. Design: APS Group Scotland | www.theapsgroup. com, Shaw Marketing and Design | www.shaw- online.com, THK Design | www.thkdesign.com This brochure is printed on recycled content paper. VisitScotland is committed to ensuring that our environment, upon which our tourism is so dependent, is safeguarded for future generations to enjoy. To find out more about Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park go to www.visitscottishheartlands.com 01 Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Walking trails Wonderful wildlife Discover Argyll Forest Park Pick up a copy of the Argyll & The Isles What to See & Do Bustling towns Guide from VisitScotland Information Centres Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park 01 This precious conservation area spans 720 beautiful square miles of mountains, glens and lochs and is home to a wonderful array of wildlife and outdoor activities. • Discover Loch Lomond, beneath • The Highland Boundary Fault, the • Take in the ‘bonnie banks’ of the majestic peak of Ben Lomond, geological rift between the Highlands Loch Lomond using the water bus the tranquil woodland glens of the and Lowlands, runs through the park service which provides access to Trossachs, the rugged mountain and can be seen at Loch Lomond the attractive villages of Inversnaid, terrain of Breadalbane in the north, stretching along Conic Hill and back Luss, Tarbet, Balmaha, Inchcailloch and the ancient Argyll Forest, located across the islands of Inchmurrin, and Rowardennan. at the western edge of the park. Creinch, Torrinch and Inchcailloch. 02 For information on accommodation and things to see and do, go to www.visitscotland.com Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Did you know? 50 percent of Scotland’s population is lucky enough to live within an hour’s drive of the park. The length of the park’s boundary is an incredible 202 miles. 02 • Grab your binoculars and set off • Take a ferry out to see Inchmahome on the 25 mile Bird of Prey Trail Priory, a ruined Augustinian 03 through the Trossachs for the monastery set on an island on chance to see ospreys, hen harriers the Lake of Menteith, where Mary and even golden eagles. Queen of Scots once took refuge. • Experience a fantastic range of • Take a bike ride along the West watersports that includes canoeing, Loch Lomond Cycle Path, a 17 mile sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, long cycle trail that leads from wakeboarding, water skiing Balloch at the southern tip of and fishing. Loch Lomond to Tarbet. • See if you can scale the heights • Enjoy a gentle stroll along the Luss of Ben More, near Crianlarich, the Village Paths with four walking highest of the park’s 21 Munros, trails that lead through the streets which measures 1,174 m. and the surrounding countryside of this pretty conservation village. • With 50 rivers and burns and 22 large lochs, the park offers fishing that is second to none. • At the The Lodge Forest Visitor 04 Cast your line in the River Leven, Centre, located in Queen Elizabeth one of Scotland’s most renowned Forest Park, you can learn about the salmon and trout fishing rivers. wildlife of the Trossachs and enjoy 01 Ben A’an, near Aberfoyle. magnificent views that take in the • When visiting Loch Lomond & 02 View from Ben More towards Campsie Hills, Ben Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, take Crianlarich. Loch Ard Forest. care to adhere to the Outdoor 03 Loch Voil, near Balquhidder. Access Code set out by Scottish 04 West Highland Way, near National Heritage. Inversnaid. To find out more about Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park go to www.visitscottishheartlands.com 03 Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Loch Lomond 01 The largest expanse of fresh water in mainland Britain, Loch Lomond is a place of outstanding natural beauty which offers a fantastic range of recreational activities. • One of the most relaxing ways to • Experience the glorious sight of • The drive from Balloch, at the appreciate the area’s breathtaking Loch Lomond & The Trossachs southern end of the loch along the scenery is during one of the many National Park from the sky. Take off western shore to Ardlui, is one of the cruises available across the tranquil from the still surface of Loch Lomond most scenic in Scotland. surface of Loch Lomond, which carry in a seaplane and soar above rugged passengers to some of the loch’s mountain peaks, crystal-clear lochs • Stay over or enjoy a delicious meal 23 islands. and emerald forests. on the island of Inchmurrin, the largest of Loch Lomond’s islands, • Find out what makes Loch Lomond • Rising just above the sleepy village where the crumbling remains of the & The Trossachs National Park so of Balmaha, a climb up the summit 14th century Lennox Castle sit. special at the National Park Visitor of Conic Hill will reward walkers with Centre in Balmaha. stellar views across Loch Lomond and its islands. • A more invigorating way to explore the loch is in a Canadian • Part of the West Highland Way – one canoe or kayak accompanied by a of Scotland’s most popular walking knowledgeable and experienced routes – weaves along the eastern guide. Paddle out to the less shore of Loch Lomond to the hamlet accessible islands while absorbing of Ardlui situated at its northern tip. the remarkable views. 02 04 For information on accommodation and things to see and do, go to www.visitscotland.com Loch Lomond Explore on the water Fascinating Step aboard the Loch Lomond Water Bus for a chance to facts experience the loch from its best In the summer months vantage point – on the water. common seals can be 03 spotted near In spring the rare black grouse Balloch. can be spotted at the RSPB reserve of Inversnaid. Look out Make a pit stop at one of the picnic stops located just off the 04 A82 and savour the tranquillity of this beautiful place. Keep a watchful eye for ospreys soaring overhead during the summer months. Places to explore The pretty village of Luss was 05 made famous by the Scottish drama Take the High Road. Relax in Balloch, the southern gateway to Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. Visit the Clachan Inn in Drymen, the oldest licensed pub in Scotland. See the stunning Hill House in Helensburgh, an original work by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, high on a hill overlooking the River Clyde. 01 Loch Lomond from Duncryne Hill, near Gartacharn. 02 The oldest licensed pub in Scotland, Drymen.