The Trossachs Local Information
The Trossachs in Scotland and Loch Katrine have been known for their scenic attractions ever since Sir Walter Scott wrote 'Rob Roy' and 'The Lady of the Lake' in the early nineteenth century. Sir Walter visited the Trossachs and stayed near Loch Katrine with his wife Charlotte and daughter Sofia in 1819. Knowing something of the history and legends, he was moved to write 'The Lady of the Lake'. It was completed and published in May 1810.
'The summer dawn's reflected hue,
Sir Walter Scott
The Lady of the Lake
Katrine was raised three times in Victorian days to provide water for Glasgow via 24 mile long twin aqueducts.
Loch Katrine complex offers options for a trip on the water: the SS Sir Walter Scott - the old steamer, 'Ellen's Isle', a small cruise launch which reaches the secret corners, and a recent addition to the fleet, 'Lady of the Lake', which originally cruised on the river Clyde. The Trossachs Pier complex also boasts cycle hire, a cafe and a gift shop. A cruise up Loch Katrine on steamship Sir Walter Scott is an essential part of a day out in the Trossachs. The Steamer leaves from the rustic Pier and sails to Stronachlacher at the other end of Loch Katrine in the mornings and provides circular Loch Katrine cruises (without stopping at Stronachlacher) in the afternoons.
"Trossachs" was originally the name of a small area between lochs Achray and Katrine but the National Park Authority has given the name 'Trossachs' to the scenic triangle bounded by the head of Loch Katrine, Aberfoyle and Callander and north to Strathyre and Balquhidder.
The Trossachs was the haunt of the highland caterans who hid in its secret glens, and after whom Loch Katrine is reputed to be named - though some say it was named after a lady of that name! Rob Roy MacGregor brought his 'lifted' cattle through the 'Bealach nam Bo' (or 'pass of the cattle') on the south side of Loch Katrine and the Trossachs Pass through which the modern access road now leads.
On the slopes above the south shore is a cave named 'Coire na Uriusgean' ('Goblin's cave') and apart from ghosts and goblins, is also reputed to be one of the hiding places of the old highland rustlers.
There are walks, cycleways and mountains to climb - see a wealth of wildlife; red deer, roe deer, eagles, red kites, osprey and other birds of prey, red squirrels foxes and even the occasional wildcat.
Things to do when you Visit The Trossachs:
Visit Loch Katrine leisure complex
Walk or cycle by the Loch or in the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park
Fish in any of the lochs
Go riding at Rednock Farm Pony Trekking & Horse Riding Centre
Climb Ben A'an for a unique view of the Trossachs
Don't forget to visit the old steamer SS Sir Walter Scott on Loch Katrine.
Go-Ape! - Vertigo - high in the trees
See the Ospreys at David Marshall Lodge
Geography has been very kind to Callander. Being centrally located, a huge variety of day trips and activities are possible within easy driving distance. The main shopping towns of Stirling, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth are all within one hours drive.
Callander in Perthshire is itself an attractive town situated at the confluence of two rivers and in an area of outstanding natural beauty known as The Trossachs on the edge of the Scottish highlands. Explore the area, see Loch Venachar and Loch Lubnaig. Add 15 minutes and you can include Loch Achray, Loch Katrine and the Lake of Mentieth. Loch Lomond is just an hour away. These Lochs between them offer sailing, water ski-ing, steamer trips, fishing and of course magnificent scenery and walks. These scenic surroundings combined with the numbers and variety of Lochs and rivers make this a natural playground for even the most demanding visitor. Ben Ledi, Callander's own highland 'Ben', looks down on the town from a distance of two miles- it's a great energetic way to a wonderful view.
From Callander on the A821 'Trossachs Road' leaves the busy A84 at Kilmahog and passes the ancient burial ground at the riverside before crossing the river Teith then climbing to reveal some excellent views back to Callander.
Samson's putting stone - a glacial erratic boulder can be seen up on the hillside- Dunmore Hill to the right. The hill to the west of the putting stone is topped by the remains of a Pictish or hillfort. Another half mile or so down the road you will see the remains of a ruined farm about two hundred yards to the right of the road. This is 'Coille an Togle' farm, made famous in Scott's 'Lady of the Lake'.Near the east end is 'Coille an Togle' farm, another place mentioned in Scott's yarns. A road on the right leads over an old stone bridge (c1777) then a right turn leads to a car park - worth a visit for the view of the Venachar and Ben Ledi to the north.
Continuing along this road you may see among the trees away to the far western shore some spires and turrets rising through the trees. The spires belong to Invertrossachs house which was a favourite of Queen Victoria. It now bears little resemblance to the original house as it has been extended, modernised and landscaped although most of the original building still remains. After climbing up through some winding bends, Loch Venachar comes into view on the left where some lovely sunsets can be seen on calm evenings.
The road now descends to the shore of the loch where there are some lovely picnic spots beside the water. This is also one of the favourite haunts of fishermen and where boats may be hired at 'Venachar Lochside' . Climbing up through the bends again you pass 'Lendrick Lodge', presently a 'retreat' before driving into the village of Brig o' Turk.
Where I live, Brig o' Turk,the name of the village is derived from the bridge and the mountain behind the village 'Creag an Tuirc' ('an tuiric' = the boar)is a peaceful little hamlet about 7 miles west of Callander on the A821 road from Callander to Aberfoyle via the Duke's Pass.
Queen Victoria stopped at the original Brig o' Turk Inn and famously presented 'Muckle Kate' the landlady with a golden sovereign. Poets Millais and Ruskin stayed in the village at Glenbruach - now a guesthouse - for four months in 1853. William Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy also came here on a visit.
The Byre Inn and Restaurant is hidden away the trees in a beautiful corner of the village. Unwind over a relaxed lunch or dinner by the fire or on our outside decking. Also,the Old Brig o' Turk Tea Room is central to the village, Tel No: 01877 376267 provides meals throughout the day. It was built in 1923 and is well known to cyclists and walkers alike. It featured in the 1958 version of 'The 39 Steps' with Kenneth More. The walls are adorned with colour photographs of leisure cyclists in the 50s.
Up the narrow road beside the tearoom and you pass the famous 'metal eating tree' (or 'bicycle tree' or 'iron tree' which has embedded in it various iron articles which were left against it by the blacksmith at the old smiddy which once occupied the site.The village has its own local monthly newspaper 'The Bicycle Tree, which is named after the tree.The Blacksmith is buried in the little graveyard up the lane a little on the left.
Just past the Glenfinglas road and on the left before the bridge, a lane to the left leads over an old bridge to join the cycleway and footpath from Callander to The Trossachs.
Up the Glen Finglas Rd at the tea room and the graveyard is about 600m on the right just before the schoolhouse. There are several interesting stones, and many which are roughly hewn flat slabs with no discernable markings. The memorial next to the top wall which marks the grave of Hugh MacGregor the blacksmith who died in 1923 at the grand age of 82 - he was 48 years the blacksmith in Brig o' Tuirk; a healthy occupation? Just on the left on entering the enclosure I found the most interesting memorial, that of Duncan Campbell, who died in 1888. On the memorial he is described as "Loved and respected by all who knew him". Obviously a well loved person judging by the ornate table type, coffin shaped memorial which is adorned with a beautifuly crafted (possibly cast iron) replica of a gnarled shepherds crook.
Interesting also is an upright stone at the top of the burial ground, this one commemorating Katerina Stewart, who died 1782. The stone is flaking badly, but it appears to be inscribed in latin.
Attractions at Brig o' Turk:
Walk up Glen Finglas to the dam or to the viewpoint
Walk down the lane to the Byre Inn and over the old bridge to access the footpaths and forest walks
2 miles west to the Ben A'an car park - the walk up takes about 1 hour if you're reasonably fit
Take to your bike and cycle GlenFinglas or the cycleway by loch Achray
Sit by Loch Achray and enjoy the reflections in the placid waters
Visit the old burial ground near the village school on the GlenFinglas road
Visit the Trossachs Church in a stunning location by Loch Achray
Visit the Bicylcle Tree
Now on foot or on bicycle, take the right fork for a very steep climb up the winding narrow road for some good views through the trees. The road now drops steeply for about half a mile to approach the Glen Finglas reservoir.
The glen was once the favourite hunting and riding ground for the Stewart kings of Scotland, but the reservoir now covers a huge part of the glen.This is now an area for the keen walker or mountain bike enthusiast. About two miles up the loch there is a fork in the now rough track. The left fork follows the lochside then climbs steeply to reach a height of about 1600 feet before dropping again to return here by the right fork path. The keen walker may take the right fork and after about 2½ miles turn right onto a narrow foot track past the ruined sheilings and which leads eventually to Balquhidder via Glen Buckie - once the sheiling lands of the Clan Stewart family whose home was at Stronvar house (once called GlenBuckie House) at the foot of the glen beside loch Voil.
This sheltered loch is seen in many visitor guides of the area and is famed for the spectacular reflections often seen in the calm waters in the beautiful surroundings.
Further still to the west you pass Tigh Mor, once the Trossachs Hotel but now owned by the 'Holiday Property Bond'. This magnificent spired building is probably seen to best effect from the other side of the loch where the reflections can add to the splendour of the view.
The views over the Trossachs and Loch Katrine from the summit of Ben A'an are spectacular for its modest height of 1500 ft. Cross the road from the car park to a path which climbs up steeply through mixed woodland and is soon accompanied by a burn on the right. The path levels out after crossing the burn by a footbridge.
On the left there is a viewpoint looking over the Trossachs steamer pier. The path meanders through pines and when it emerges from the trees the conical summit of Ben A'an is suddenly revealed ahead. The path now becomes more demanding, a steep scramble up loose rock.
Pause occasionally to catch breath and enjoy the view back.
The steeper route leaves to the left and is often used by rock climbers, while the 'tourist' path continues to the top. It generally takes about an hour or more to reach the summit though the super-fit can do it in half this time.
The highest point on the route is 1,491 feet and the path ends at its twin rocky peaks each providing vast landscapes of Scotland in different directions - west over Loch Katrine past Stronachlacher at Loch Lomond to the 'Arrochar Alps' and 'the Cobbler' and south-east over Loch Achray and the Campsie Fells. This walk gets a bit busy at times.Twice a day in summer the sound of a pipe band might drift up from the steamer Sir Walter Scott as she leaves for trips up Loch Katrine. The return from Ben A'an is by the same path and should take little more than thirty minutes.
Source: Edited from www.incallander.co.uk
The National Park encompasses around 720 sq miles (1,865 sq km) of some of the finest scenery in Scotland.
It is an area of contrasts from rolling lowland landscapes in the south to high mountains in the north, and has many lochs and rivers, forests and woodlands. It is also a living, working landscape which has been influenced by people for generations and is visited and enjoyed by many for its recreational value.
The Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park became fully operational on 19 July 2002 and was officially opened by Princess Anne on 24 July 2002.
Key Facts
¦The Park is 1,865 sq km (720 sq miles) and has a boundary length of 350km (220miles).
¦50% of Scotland's population lives within an hour's drive of the National Park.
¦There are 20 Munros (mountains above 3,000ft) in the Park and the highest is Ben More at 1,174m.
¦There are 19 Corbetts (mountains between 2,500ft and 3,000ft).
¦There are 22 larger lochs, with numerous smaller lochs and lochans.
¦About 50 rivers and large burns.
¦15,600 people live in the National Park (2001 census).
¦There are two Forest Parks - Queen Elizabeth in the Trossachs and Argyll in Cowal.
Source. www.lochlomond-trossachs.org