LOCH  KATRINE.

The loch naturally formed through the ice age sits east to west with a little section on the west side of the loch going north to south. Scottish Water owns the private road and the waters of Loch Katrine. Over the years the loch’s waters have been raised which now supplies fresh drinking water to some parts of Glasgow also Tennents lager use the loch’s water for their brews. Many tourists visit here every year to enjoy day visits or even for stay overs at the Eco Lodges. 

VISITING OR STAYING.

Whether you stay in the Eco Lodges or just a day visit there’s plenty to see and do if you like the outdoors. Hire a bike and travel by boat to Stronachlachar and cycle your way back on the private road, remember to watch out for steep slopes and tight corners along the way back. Ben A’an car park sits not too far away from Loch Katrine which gives great views over Loch Katrine and Loch Achray. Walk Hill and Glen offers all inclusive guided walking tours to Ben A’an and Primrose Hill, also our Three Loch Walk starts at Loch Katrine check our website for View our tours Loch Katrine’s Primrose Hill is another walk with less of a climb than Ben A’an but the scenery along the way is just as stunning with views of Ben Venue, Ben A’an, Ben Lomond, the Arrochar Alps and many other mountains and hills that also surround you. Or have a more relaxing stroll to Brenachoile point around 2 miles away from the pier which gives great views of the loch, Ben A’an and Ben Venue.

HISTORY.

The Trossachs is steeped in history with a MacGregor island cemetery at the east side of the loch and not far from there the birthplace of Rob Roy MacGregor. MacGregor was a clan with a reputation that led to the name MacGregor being outlawed after the battle of Glen Fruin in 1603. The islands were used as a place of protection during times of feuds or danger where women with their children would row their boats along with any spare boats to the islands and hide till danger passed. Sir Walter Scott’s poem Lady of the Lake was inspired by a story of a woman who used the island for protection, saving the lives that were in danger by killing an English soldier. Queen Victoria launched the Sir Walter Scott steamship in 1900 a year before her death, the Queen sailed on the Rob Roy II in 1859 to officially open the aquaduct, where the Royal Cottage was built for her stay, but on her arrival to the cottage she was greeted by a 21 gun salute which shattered the windows of the cottage abandoning her stay.

PRIMROSE HILL.

This great wee walk up Primrose Hill is a circular walk that takes you through some of the most stunning scenery in the Trossachs, especially on a clear day.  This walk takes around 4 hours to complete, so maybe take some snacks and drinks. The terrain is flat paths, on road (watch out for cars and cyclists) and forestry with a couple of short steep hills but this is generally an easy walk. A great walk for families although not buggy friendly. Our daughter, Arrochar, who reluctantly comes on some of our walks, enjoyed this walk and didn’t complain once, going by her judgement she gives this walk a rating of 1 – 1 being good – 5 being not good, and has to be bribed with a takeaway!. Look out for Arrochar’s ratings in our future blogs. The car parking prices are a little expensive but absolutely worth it, the parking cost for Primrose Hill will be £6. That gives you 4 – 8 hours, giving you extra time to maybe enjoy a cup of tea or something to eat at the cafe after your walk.

THE GREAT TROSSACHS PATH.

Starting from Callander over to Inversanid this trail takes you through the very heart of the Trossachs, and is part of Walk Hill and Glen’s Three Loch Walk, which is walked over 2 and 3 days, check our website for more information. This walk may be straight forward but it’s tough on the feet. Passing Samson’s Stone and an Iron Age Fort near Callander, walking alongside Loch Venachar’s north path heading past Glen Finglas and arriving at Loch Achray’s campsite (which needs to be booked online) ends day 1, or a stay at the Eco lodges at Loch Katrine which is not far from Loch Achray. Day 2 walking on Loch Katrine’s north path via Primrose Hill is optional, but is advised for its stunning scenery, reaching Inversnaid’s Bunkhouse where you can have a stay in the bunkhouse or camp, showers and food is available during the months of April to September. Passing 4 Lochs and reaching a fifth one over two days along with all the scenery will leave you with great memories! 

RESPECT THE OUTDOORS.

Always great to be out and about but please take your rubbish home with you to stop the overflow of rubbish littering the place. Thank you!