ESSENCE OF SCOTLAND Loch Lomond, Stirling & the Trossachs Front cover: Sunset over Loch Lomond This page: Stirling Castle stands tall above the city Loch Lomond, that most celebrated of Scottish waters, lies only half an hour to the north of Glasgow, and little over an hour from Edinburgh. The National Park, embracing the loch and the neighbouring Trossachs region, is a haven for outdoor activity enthusiasts and nature lovers, while nearby Stirling, Scotland’s newest city, is recognised as one of Scotland’s heritage centres. BASE YOURSELF IN LOCATION MAP Aberfoyle > 12 Balquhidder > Callander Kingshouse Inverarnan A84 welcome > Drymen £ Paid Entry Seasonal Disabled Access Dogs Allowed Tea-Room Gift Shop WC > Stirling Ardlui Strathyre DON’T MISS To find out more about Stronachlachar accommodation in these areas, 11 14 22 10 21 call 0845 22 55 121 3 Brig o’Turk Callander 12 or click on visitscotland.com TTarbetarbet Arrocharocharochar 26 Kinlochard A821 A84 16 15 4 Port of Menteith Doune 1. Loch Lomond and 2. Plenty of fun, with laughs 3. The dramatic scenery of 4. The main visitor centre of 5. Stirling Castle stands Rowardennan Aberfoyle A873 Thornhill 20 29 Dunblane The Trossachs National and thrills in equal measure, the Trossachs is said to be the Queen Elizabeth tall in the Old Town of this IDEAL FOR Bridge of Allan A82 24 Park has its gateway centre Stirling Old Town Jail the inspiration behind Sir Forest Park is on the A821 central Scottish city. A key A81 L M9 22 o Arnprior on the southern shore of the presents life in an authentic Walter Scott’s The Lady of north of Aberfoyle. An fortress in days gone by, the c 7 History and heritage h 17 > Luss Kippen 27 A811 L STIRLINGSTIRLING A91 loch in Balloch. From here Victorian prison. You’ll see the Lake. It is fitting then that integral part of the National castle has been the venue 25 o 6 9 Buchlyvie The great outdoors m and elsewhere on the loch, for many an important > o Balmaha wardens, prisoners and the historic steamship which Park, it offers a host of n Drymen A875 2 5 7 d 23 Bannockburn moment in Scotland’s history Fans of literature and Balfron 18 boat trips offer visitors the governors, and might even regularly sets sail on Loch walking, wildlife and > 19 Gartocharn 13 16 24 legends chance to explore the meet the notorious Katrine is named after him. photography opportunities and today provides Arden 8 Killearn A811 largest body of freshwater in hangman! When you’re The SS Sir Walter Scott from the foot of Loch fascinating interpretations of Craighat 28 Britain. To the west, Argyll how it once was. Explore Balloch finished, head across to the will cruise up to Lomond to Strathyre Forest, 1 Forest Park provides the recently restored Great Loch Lomond has the largest surface Tolbooth, the former city jail. Stronachlachar and return north of Loch Lubnaig. Here, area of any loch in Scotland. secluded waymarked trails, Hall and feast your eyes on Principal photography © Paul Tomkins, VisitScotland/Scottish Viewpoint Today, it’s a vibrant music you to the Trossachs Pier. you’ll find a multitude of while the Trossachs to the how a Castle kitchen Additional photography: VisitScotland Stirling and arts venue with a £ waymarked paths, forest All information checked in August 2005. VisitScotland can accept no responsibility for errors. operated in medieval times. east have provided superb bistro and restaurant. shop, wildlife viewing station inspiration for poets and Thankfully, they’re much £ and Liz MacGregor’s Coffee novelists throughout the more up-to-date in the FCS: Forestry Commission Scotland Shop. NTS: National Trust for Scotland centuries. Castle cafe! (HS) HS: Historic Scotland £ OUTSTANDING VIEWS WALKS HISTORY & HERITAGE GOLF 6. The beauty of Loch Lomond is undisputed but the finest vantage point is more 11. To walk along the shore Old Town of Stirling 16. The Lake of Menteith is the only ‘lake’ in The National Park Golf Pass offers open to debate. Everyone has their favourite spot and no doubt you will too. Take a of Loch Katrine, start at dates back to the 12th Scotland, all others being known as lochs. Sail from the opportunity to play 5 quality golf cruise on the loch itself from Luss, Balloch or Tarbet or head to Inversnaid on the west the Trossachs Pier (A821 century. Guided tours, the Port of Menteith, off the A81 south of Callander, courses within the area – Aberfoyle, bank for more rugged views. west of Callander). Here you taking around 2 hours, are to the island that is home to Inchmahome Priory, Buchanan Castle, Callander, Killin and can choose to walk the 12 available to give you the an 18th century Augustinian monastery. (HS) St Fillans. The Pass offers 5 rounds 7 7. Stirling Castle offers splendid views of Stirling, the mile route to Stronachlachar inside story on how life was £ on participating courses at a cost of Forth Valley, and the Ochil and Trossachs hills, rivalled and get the steamer back in olden times. 17. Built in tribute to Scotland’s national hero Sir £80 for 5 days or £50 for 3 days. only by those from the National Wallace Monument. or you can walk as far as £ William Wallace, the National Wallace Monument, www.nationalparkgolf.co.uk. The Monument is located on the edge of the University you like and then re-trace 14. On the A84, 2 miles by Stirling, can be seen for miles around. The grounds, just over a mile north of Stirling. your steps. Cycle hire is north of Callander in the exhibition tells of his epic struggle for a free Scotland. 22. Part of the National Park Pass, also available here. Callander Golf Club heartily 8. ‘The Dumpling’ is the nickname for Duncryne Hill, a volcanic plug, situated just off Queen Elizabeth Forest £ welcomes visitors onto its undulating, the A811 at the east end of Gartocharn. At about 465ft high and accessible by a short Park, is the Pass of Leny. 17 partially wooded parkland course. steep path, it is an astounding vantage point overlooking Loch Lomond’s islands. 12. The village hall in With spectacular views of Balquhidder is your starting the Falls of Leny, this is Most memorable is the green at the 8 point for one of often known as one of the 15th, where views of Ben Ledi are Breadalbane’s most glorious great gateways between the breathtaking. From October – April, views. Head along the Highlands and Lowlands. green fees are reduced by 50%. Loch Lomond Shores Kirkton Burn and upwards A way-marked circular trail Tel: 01877 330090 onto a forest road. Soon takes roughly 2 hours to 18. The legendary Scottish victory by Robert the 23. you’ll reach Creag an Tuirc complete. (FCS) Bruce and his men over King Edward II’s army in To test your parkland skills, try LOCH LOMOND & THE 1314 is recorded at the Bannockburn Heritage Buchanan Castle Golf Club in where you can absorb the 14 Centre TROSSACHS NATIONAL PARK beauty of Balquhidder Glen, on the outskirts (A872) of Stirling. (NTS) Drymen, with its beautiful Loch Voil and little Loch £ surroundings and warm welcome. Scotland’s first National Park, Loch Lomond & Doine. Including a short 19. The islands of Loch Lomond are home to Visitors are best to book in advance. 1 The Trossachs comprises a variety of different climb, this 2 /2 mile walk many ancient ruins including a 7th-century monastery Tel: 01360 660307 landscapes, from mountains to gentle rolling hills, should take you about and the remains of former Victorian whisky distilleries. 24. The picturesque village of Bridge from lochs to river rapids. These assets certainly 2 hours. 20. Situated by the banks of the River Teith, Doune of Allan is home to a friendly, high- Castle was once the ancestral home of the Earls befit its nickname – ‘Gateway to the Highlands’. 15 of Moray. At one time occupied by the Jacobite standard 9-hole course. Call in 9. Conic Hill 15. Rowardennan (B837 is located just north of Balmaha on the B837. A 358m ascent, it offers advance to check that no competitions From such a diversity of terrain springs a wealth from Drymen) on the eastern troops, this castle can now be explored and makes superb views of Loch Lomond and its islands. From here, you can also see the are taking place but most days, of wildlife habitats, with some 200 species of edge of Loch Lomond is a great picnic spot. (HS) £ dramatic changes to the landscape caused by the Highland Boundary Fault. simply turning up should ensure a birds, 29 species of mammals and over a quarter a wonderful starting and 21. Rob Roy was a renowned figure in his day. 10. From the Stronachlachar junction on the finishing point for a gentle The Rob Roy & Trossachs Visitor Centre in round. Tel: 01786 832332 of Britain’s flowering wild plant species. Stay Inversnaid road (B829), the wild landscape of Robert MacGregor was walk along the shores, Callander tells the story of his life as an outlaw and known as Rob Roy due to the observant and you might catch a glimpse of an Loch Arklet leads down towards Loch Lomond following part of the famous general rogue! The centre lets you experience life as red (‘roy’) colour of his hair. 13. Steeped in history and Spot a red kite at the feeding station West Highland Way. osprey, stag, golden eagle or even a wallaby! and its surrounding hills. built on the hill leading up it was in an 18th century Scottish farmhouse.