Loch Lomond and the Trossachs
Touring north from Holy Loch and
leaving the shore of Loch Fyne, you strike east and up through
dramatic Glen Kinglass, with its towering peaks and tumbling torrents,
to emerge at the viewpoint aptly named “Rest and be Thankful”.
Thrilled by the view down Glen Croe, you will quickly descend to
Loch Long and the pretty village of Arrochar, before cutting east
through the hills to the village of Tarbet on beautiful Loch Lomond.
A left turn here takes you north,
by the long narrow finger of Loch Lomond to Crainlarich and through
Glen Dochart to the attractive village of Killin in the heart of
the Breadalbane mountains. Here the River Dochart rushes over the
Falls of Dochart and into Loch Tay. South lies Lochearnhead in
its magnificent loch-side setting – one of Scotland’s
premier water sports venues. The road south brings you to lovely
Strathyre and the picturesque Balquidder churchyard, final resting
place of the famous outlaw and folk hero Rob Roy MacGregor.
If you elect to journey south from
Tarbet, you will be amply rewarded with stunning views of Loch
Lomond, with towering Ben Lomond and the surrounding hills forming
a colourful backdrop. Past the pretty village of Luss and the championship
Loch Lomond golf course, you round the southern end of the loch.
Through the town of Balloch, where the pleasure boats cluster on
the River Leven’s mouth, you approach the attractive villages
of Drymen and Aberfoyle. You are now entering the compact area
of stunning mountain and loch scenery called The Trossachs, which
marks the transition from the Scottish Lowlands to the Highlands.
Loch Katrine lies at the heart of the wild beauty of the Trossachs.
It was the inspiration for Sir Walter Scott’s famous poem “Lady
of the Lake” and the tiny vintage steamship, which carries
sightseers around the loch, is aptly named SS Sir Walter Scott.
