The Trossachs are the wooded hills, lochs and glens that spread east from Loch Lomond — the other half of the national park, and to many minds the more romantic one. Sir Walter Scott set poems and novels here in the early 1800s, sparking a tourist boom that never really stopped, and the landscape still earns its old nickname of “the Highlands in miniature”.
It is bigger and less obvious than the loch shore: less about a single village, more about a day of driving between viewpoints, walking up a small sharp hill, and sailing a Victorian steamship across a mirror-calm loch. Aberfoyle makes the natural base.
Loch Katrine and the SS Sir Walter Scott
Loch Katrine is the jewel of the Trossachs and the place that inspired Scott’s “The Lady of the Lake”. No private cars reach most of its shore, which keeps it beautifully quiet. From Trossachs Pier you can sail the loch aboard the SS Sir Walter Scott, a genuine Victorian steamship that has cruised here since 1900, or the smaller Lady of the Lake.
A lovely alternative is to hire a bike at the pier and follow the traffic-free lochside road toward Stronachlachar — a flat, family-friendly ride with water views the whole way, and you can pedal one way and sail back.
Ben A’an
If Conic Hill is the loch’s easy classic, Ben A’an is the Trossachs’ equivalent — a small but shapely peak of just 454 metres that walkers climb in two to three hours return. The path is steep and rooty in places but well made, and the summit rewards you with a knockout view down Loch Katrine and across to the bigger hill of Ben Venue. It is one of the best effort-to-view walks in central Scotland.
Aberfoyle and Loch Ard
Aberfoyle is the Trossachs’ main village, a single busy street of cafes, shops and the Scottish Wool Centre, with the Loch Ard Forest and the Lodge Forest Visitor Centre right on the doorstep. The gentle trails around nearby Loch Ard are ideal for an easy walk or cycle, and Go Ape’s treetop course at The Lodge adds a bit of adventure for families.
Duke’s Pass
The A821 Duke’s Pass is one of Scotland’s great short drives, twisting over the hills between Aberfoyle and the Trossachs pier with laybys that open onto sudden views of forest, loch and crag. It links the main sights into an easy loop and is worth doing slowly, with a stop at the Lodge visitor centre on the way.
Getting to the Trossachs
- Car: Aberfoyle is about 30 minutes from Stirling and an hour from Glasgow or Edinburgh; the Trossachs pier is a further scenic drive over Duke’s Pass.
- Public transport is limited — a seasonal bus links Callander, Aberfoyle and the pier, but a car gives far more freedom.
- Combine with Loch Lomond easily: it is a short hop over from the loch’s east side.
- Allow a full day to do Loch Katrine, Ben A’an and Duke’s Pass without rushing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Trossachs known for?
The Trossachs are a scenic area of wooded hills and lochs east of Loch Lomond, famous through Sir Walter Scott’s writing and often called “the Highlands in miniature”. Highlights include Loch Katrine, Ben A’an and the village of Aberfoyle.
Can you sail on Loch Katrine?
Yes. The Victorian steamship SS Sir Walter Scott and the smaller Lady of the Lake sail from Trossachs Pier across Loch Katrine. You can also cycle the traffic-free lochside road and sail one way.
How long is the walk up Ben A’an?
Ben A’an takes most walkers about two to three hours return. It is short but steep, and rewards you with one of the finest views in the Trossachs, down Loch Katrine to Ben Venue.
Where should I base myself in the Trossachs?
Aberfoyle is the main hub, with cafes, shops and forest trails on its doorstep and the Duke’s Pass drive linking it to Loch Katrine. Callander to the east is a larger alternative.
