Trossachs

The Trossachs lie east of Ben Lomond in Stirling council, a stretch of wooded glens, braes and lochs that forms part of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. The name comes from a small woodland glen at the centre, but now covers the wider region. Much of the area is protected by conservation designations, including the Great Trossachs Forest National Nature Reserve. The Trossachs represent a microcosm of a typical Highland landscape, with woodlands that provide important habitats for many species. The region has long attracted visitors from nearby Glasgow and Stirling, drawn by its scenery and outdoor activities. The Trossachs became one of Scotland’s earliest tourist destinations, thanks to its position on the southern edge of the Highlands and its striking scenery. William Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy visited in 1803, with Dorothy publishing an account of their journey. Sir Walter Scott’s 1810 poem *The Lady of the Lake* and his 1817 novel *Rob Roy* further popularised the area, linking it to Scotland’s romantic past. Queen Victoria had a holiday house built overlooking Loch Katrine, though she never stayed there. The scenic steamer SS Sir Walter Scott, launched in 1899, still carries visitors on Loch Katrine today. Walkers and cyclists follow the Great Trossachs Path, a 48 km route that runs between Callander and Inversnaid, passing Loch Katrine and Loch Arklet. The Trossachs glen lies between Ben A’an to the north and Ben Venue to the south, with Loch Katrine to the west and Loch Achray to the east. The A821 road through the glen offers access from the south and east, while the B829 leads to Stronachlachar. The Lake of Menteith, near Aberfoyle, features the ruins of Inchmahome Priory, where Mary, Queen of Scots once stayed. The area’s forests and lochs support a variety of wildlife, including red squirrels, pine martens and beavers.