Scotland - Loch Lomond, Stirling, and the Trossachs

2 Pages·2007·2.041 MB·English

ESSENCEOFSCOTLAND
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. welcome
BASE YOURSELF IN LOCATION MAP
> Aberfoyle 12 Balquhidder
> Callander Kingshouse
Inverarnan
> Drymen A84
DON’T MISS £
Paid Entry Seasonal Disabled Access Dogs Allowed Tea-Room Gift Shop WC
> Stirling Ardlui Strathyre
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
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26 Kinlochard A821 A84
15 4 16Port 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
A82 24Bridge of Allan Park has its gateway centre Stirling Old Town Jail the inspiration behind Sir Forest Park is on the A821 central Scottish city. A key
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> Fans of literature and 19mond Gartoc2h3aDrnrymen A87B5alfron 123 156 274 18 Bannockburn boat trips offer visitors the governors, and might even regularly sets sail on Loch walking, wildlife and moment in Scotland’s history
legends chance to explore the meet the notorious Katrine is named after him. photography opportunities and today provides
Arden A811 8 Killearn largest body of freshwater in hangman! When you’re The SS Sir WalterScott from the foot of Loch fascinating interpretations of
28Balloch Craighat Britain. To the west, Argyll finished, head across to the will cruise up to Lomond to Strathyre Forest, how it once was. Explore
Loch Lomond has the largest surface 1 Forest Park provides Tolbooth, the former city jail. Stronachlachar and return north of Loch Lubnaig. Here, the recently restored Great
area of any loch in Scotland. secluded waymarked trails, Today, it’s a vibrant music you to the Trossachs Pier. you’ll find a multitude of Hall and feast your eyes on
Principal photography © Paul Tomkins, VisitScotland/Scottish Viewpoint
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. east have provided operated in medieval times.
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 Castleoffers 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 NationalWallace 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, 2miles 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,
8. ‘The Dumpling’ is the nickname for Duncryne Hill, a volcanic plug, situated just off also available here. Queen Elizabeth Forest £ Callander Golf Club heartily
the A811 at the east end of Gartocharn. At about 465ft high and accessible by a short Park, is the Pass of Leny. 17 welcomes visitors onto its undulating,
steep path, it is an astounding vantage point overlooking Loch Lomond’s islands. 12. The village hall in With spectacular views of partially wooded parkland course.
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 Away-marked circular trail Tel:[phone]
onto a forest road. Soon takes roughly 2 hours to 18. The legendary Scottish victory by Robert the
you’ll reach Creag an Tuirc complete. (FCS) Bruce and his men over King Edward II’s army in 23. To test your parkland skills, try
LOCH LOMOND & THE
1314 is recorded at the Bannockburn Heritage Buchanan Castle Golf Clubin
where you can absorb the 14
TROSSACHS NATIONAL PARK beauty of Balquhidder Glen, Centreon 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.
The Trossachs comprises a variety of different climb, this 21/2mile walk many ancient ruins including a 7th-century monastery Tel: [phone]
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 2hours. 20. Situated by the banks of the River Teith, Doune
of Allan is home to a friendly, high-
Castlewas once the ancestral home of the Earls
befit its nickname – ‘Gateway to the Highlands’. 15 standard 9-hole course. Call in
15. Rowardennan (B837 of Moray. At one time occupied by the Jacobite
9. Conic Hill is located just north of Balmaha on the B837. A358m ascent, it offers
From such a diversity of terrain springs a wealth from Drymen) on the eastern troops, this castle can now be explored and makes advance to check that no competitions
superb views of Loch Lomond and its islands. From here, youcan also see the
of wildlife habitats, with some 200 species of edge of Loch Lomond is a great picnic spot.(HS) £ are taking place but most days,
dramatic changes to the landscape caused by the Highland BoundaryFault.
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 TheRob Roy & Trossachs Visitor Centre in round. Tel: [phone]
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
observant and you might catch a glimpse of an known as Rob Roy due to the
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
osprey, stag, golden eagle or even a wallaby! and its surrounding hills. built on the hill leading up West Highland Way. it was in an 18th century Scottish farmhouse. at Argaty, near Doune.
£
toits famous Castle, the
Loch Lomond, Stirling and the Trossachs
FOOD & DRINK
25. Whilst touring around Loch Lomond, be sure to stop at the Coach House
Coffee Shop in the conservation village of Luss. Accompany a bumper
homemade scone with a Lomond Latte or a Clyde Cappuccino!
26. The Village Inn at Arrochar is a charming country inn on the edge of
Loch Long. Offering traditional Scottish home-cooking, it proves to be a great
favourite with walkers exploring the adjacent ‘Arrochar Alps’.
27. The Gargunnock Inn is situated in the small village of Gargunnock on the
A811 west of Stirling. A welcoming, friendly establishment, it serves freshly
prepared, local produce in its restaurant and has a more informal bar adjoining
for relaxing in after dinner.
28. Scottish institution Jenners,on the shores of Loch Lomond, is ideal for
picking up great quality Scottish produce to take home not only to others but for
yourself! Once you’ve completedyour shopping, you’ll find a variety of eateries
with fantastic views over Loch Lomond.
29. Family friendly, the Forth Inn at
Aberfoyle is known for its food and Doune Castle, west of Stirling,
will be familiar to fans of ‘Monty
atmosphere.Its award-winning bar and
Python & the Holy Grail’, scenes
restaurant are favourites with locals and from which were filmed here.
Loch Katrine, Trossachs visitors alike. Looking across the countryside to Stirling