Scottish Hiking Adventure – Loch Katrine to Balmaha
Overview
Join Walk Hill and Glen on this hiking tour in Scotland and experience the best of the country’s natural beauty and rich history with our all-inclusive 2-day guided hike through the heart of the Trossachs National Park. Our tour package offers an unforgettable journey as we explore the following:
- Hear about Ellen Stewart ( Brave Ellen ) a story told by her great great grandson in the year 1806,
- Along the way learn earn about the life and legacy of legendary Scottish outlaw Rob Roy MacGregor.
- Visit a MacGregor Cemetery or two
- The unspoiled beauty of the Trossachs National Park, with its rugged peaks, rolling hills, and pristine lochs will keep you company along this hike.
- Lunch at Rowchoish Bothy
- Rob Roy’s cave.
- Enjoy a hearty Scottish breakfast on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.
- Enjoy a night camping (upgrade for comfortable accommodations) and delicious meals while our experienced guides lead the way and share their knowledge of the area.
Don’t miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity to discover the beauty of the Trossachs National Park with our guided tour of Scotland. Check out our news page for some great blogs of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Book your tour package today!
Included/Exclude
- Backpack for all your personal Items, food and drink
- Full packed Lunch, we'll email you to get your preferences once you book
- Tea Coffee, and water which our tour guide will be carrying along the way
- Poncho in case any of the famous Scottish rain comes in
- Walking Poles
- Tent
- Sleeping Mat
- Sleeping Pillow
- Waterproofs
- Warm clothes like hat and gloves
- Personal medication, we are first aid trained and carry a full kit but are not equipped to handle anyone's personal medication
- Water bottle for hygiene purposes
- Headtorch
- Sleeping bag
Tour Amenities
Restaurant
Tour Plan
We'll pick you up at Stirling train station where we will introduce you to the tour and make sure you're ready for your hike into the very heart of the Trossachs National Park.
Here we'll make sure we have all the essentials before we head off on our journey. As we hike along the north shore path of Loch Katrine we'll stop for a little history with the Sir Walter Scott Steamship, how the islands were once used by those from the past, also a story from Ellen Stewart's great great grandson, who in 1802 told the story of Brave Ellen in the village of Brig o Turk. Leaving the history behind for now you'll head up Primrose Hill which only takes 15 minutes to reach the hill's ledge that we hike along which you'll have some stunning views along the way, near the end of the hill you can sit relax and have tea as enjoy the views from high above before heading through the wooded area. Back on the path we continue our journey towards lunch
Off Primrose Hill we've hiked another hour or so and it's now lunch time. Sitting at the side of the loch as we have our lunch with an open view looking back down the loch and the surrounding mountains, you can nearly taste the peacefulness of it all. As we sit resting I'll introduce you to the MacGregor Clan, after all we're in their lands and not too far away on our journey sits a MacGregor cemetery waiting to be visited along with the birthplace of Rob Roy.
Satisfied from our lunch we continue along Loch Katrine heading towards a view point where we'll relax for a short while capturing the peacefulness of the area before heading to the Macgregor cemetery with around 9-10 graves in the walls of the cemetery, the dates are weather worn and are not clear apart from one which dates back to 1600s. Leaving the Cemetery we are not far from the birthplace of Rob Roy MacGregor, although we cannot access the grounds, we do pass by it and get a good view of the birthplace from the other side. Walking along I will tell you a little about Rob Roy himself. You'll arrive at Stronachlachar saying your goodbyes to Loch Katrine and start your short journey along Loch Arklet passing by and learning a little about the Garrison that sits not too far away from Inversnaid's Bunkhouse here you'll have dinner and camp on the grounds of the Bunkhouse.
Experience the warmth and welcoming atmosphere of Inversnaid's Bistro and Bunkhouse, a converted church that now serves as a dining and lodging destination. Enjoy a delicious dinner at the bistro before retiring to the bunkhouse grounds for a comfortable camping experience complete with access to a shower. Upgrade to the Bunkhouse is available if booked early.
We'll begin our day with a hearty Scottish breakfast served on the scenic shores of Loch Lomond before embarking on our hiking tour. You'll be picked up from the Bunkhouse for breakfast and arrive on the Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond. As you sleep at the Bunkhouse, our staff sleep on the Bonnie Banks so we don't bother you early in the morning with setting up the kitchen. The views from your breakfast table will be the perfect start to your day. We'll allow our breakfast to settle before we start the hike.
This second day is part of the West Highland Way heading south towards Balmaha from Inversnaid. This Walk is more of a challenge than day one, so many ups and downs. It can be hard going yet rewarding with the views keeping you company along the way. Optional - The van will be at Rowardennan if you wanted to cut your hike short.
We'll reach Rowchoish bothy an old home-shelter deep in a wooded area of Loch Lomond, we will have some lunch here with a freshly made cup of tea. Around this area there were 9 families that stayed here. Once we get back on our journey we will visit old foundations that sit in the woods not too far away from the Bothy.
Not too far from Rowardennan, the views of Loch Lomond just keep pleasing the eye along the way, there's a great place to sit on the shores of the loch with great views across the loch also north and south. We'll relax here for a bit with tea and biscuits and here is where I will talk about the battle of Glen Fruin which led to the MacGregor name being outlawed. Not too far away we'll reach Rowardennan which is only a 3-4 hours hike away from Balmaha.
Reaching Balmaha will be a welcoming sight after the hard days hike, dinner will be served in the Oak Tree Inn, before we say our farewells for now.
Calendar & Price
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