Trossachs
Strictly speaking, the Trossachs is the narrow wooded glen between Loch Katrine and Loch Achray, but the name is now used to describe a much larger area between Argyll and Perthshire, stretching north from the Campsies and west from Callander to the eastern shore of Loch Lomond.
It's a very beautiful and diverse area of sparkling lochs, craggy mountains and deep, forested glens, and for this reason is often called the 'Highlands in miniature'. Visit in the autumn when the hills are purple and the trees are a thousand luminous hues, from lustrous gold to flaming scarlet and blazing orange.
The Trossachs was one of the country's first holiday regions, and remains a major tourist destination. Its enduring appeal is due in no small measure to Sir Walter Scott, who eulogized its great natural beauty in his epic poem, Lady of the Lake, and whose historical novel, Rob Roy, brought to public attention the region's other great attraction, Rob Roy MacGregor, one of the great romantic Highland figures.
Region
Stirling & TrossachsTravel Directions to Trossachs
There are regular buses from Monday to Saturady that starts from Stirling to Aberfoyle and Callander (T0870-6082608). There are also daily services to Aberfoyle from Glasgow, via Balfron. There is a daily Scottish Citylink service between Edinburgh and the Isle of Skye that stops in Callander and links with buses to Killin.
There is a postbus service T01752-494527, http://www.royalmail.com/postbus, from Aberfoyle to Inversnaid on Loch Lomond. It leaves Aberfoyle post office daily, except Sunday, at 0900 and arrives at Inversnaid at 1325.
Trossachs Trundler is an alternative for those wanting to make the journey from Callander to Aberfoyle via the SS Sir Walter Scott on Loch Katrine before winding over the Duke's Pass into Aberfoyle. Running four times a day between May and early October. Current prices are £5 for a day-pass or £12 for a family of four. Stirling Tourist Information Centre or local Trossachs Tourist Information Centres.
Tourist Information Centres in Trossachs
Aberfoyle TIC on the main street, T01877-382352, http://www.visitscottishheartlands.com, Apr-Jun and Sep-Oct 1000-1700; July and August 0900-1800, Nov-Mar weekend only, 1000-1600.
Callander TIC Ancaster Sq, T01877-330342, daily, Apr-May, 1000-1700; June-Sep 1000-1800; winter 1000-1700, shares the same building as the Rob Roy and Trossachs Visitor Centre. Fifteen miles southwest of Aberfoyle and Balloch, the southernmost end of Loch Lomond and terminus for trains from Glasgow, is the Loch Lomond National Park Gateway Centre T01389-722199, http://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org. Here you will find a tourist information office daily 1000-1700, and details about ferry and bus transport in the entire park area.
Adjacent to the modern Gateway Centre is the retail cresent of Loch Lomond Shores, with attractions including the recently opened Loch Lomond Aquarium T01389-721500, daily 1000-1700, £7.95, £6.95 concession, £5.50 children, as well as the watersport, walking and cycling operator, Can You Experienceand a cafe aboard the restored Steamer Maid of the Loch.Tarbet TIC T01301-702260, Apr-Oct.