Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park

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Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park
IUCN Category II (National Park)
Looking eastwards along Loch Katrine in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.
Looking eastwards along Loch Katrine in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.
Location Scotland, Argyll and Bute, Perth and Kinross, Stirling and West Dunbartonshire
Area 1,865 km²
Established 2002
Governing body National Park Authority

Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park (Scottish Gaelic Pàirc Nàiseanta Loch Laomainn is nan Tròisichean) is a national park in Scotland. It is centred on Loch Lomond, and includes several ranges of hills, the Trossachs being the most famous. It was the first of the two national parks established by the Scottish Parliament in 2002; the second is the Cairngorms National Park.

It is the fourth largest national park in the British Isles, with a total area of 1,865 km² (720 mi²)and a boundary that is 350 km (220 miles) long. It includes 21 Munros (including Ben Lomond, Ben Lui, Ben Challum, Ben More and two peaks called Ben Vorlich), 20 Corbetts, two forest parks and 57 designated special nature conservation sites.

Contents

[edit] Towns and Villages within the Park

Council area Towns and villages
Stirling Aberfoyle, Balmaha, Brig o' Turk, Callander, Crianlarich, Croftamie, Drymen, Inverarnan, Inversnaid, Killin, Kinlochard, Lochearnhead, Port of Menteith, Tyndrum, Strathyre, Stronachlachar, Balquhidder, Kilmahog, Stirling (Known to be the Eastern Gateway to the National Park thought it's ouside), Gartmore, Glengyle, Auchtertyre, Ewich, Benmore (Breadalbane), Lochdochart house, Auchessan, Luib, Ledchary, Auchlyne, Ardchyle, Lix Toll, Inverlochlairg, Monachylemore, Stronvar, Auchtoo, Leitters, Kingshouse (Srtathyre, Ballimore, Derrydaroch, Frenich, Royal Cottage, Teapot (Hamlet near Loch Ard), Glenshart, Milton, Milton (Brig o'Turk), Pass of Leny, Stank (Near Loch Lubnaig, Ardchullarie, Braeval, Portend (Lake of Menteith), Inchmahome (Island of Lake of Menteith), Cobleland, Dalmary, Lednabraw, Sallochy, Millarrochy, Milton of Buchanan, Buchanan Smithy, Buchanan Castle, Baws
West Dunbartonshire Alexandria, Balloch, Croftamie, Gartocharn, Duncryne, Ross Priary, Jamestown, Cameron House, Dumbarton (Known to be southern Gateway though just outside), Pirniehall, Balquhain, Blairlusk
Perth and Kinross St Fillans, Ardvorlich, Ardrostan, Finglen
Argyll and Bute Arden, Ardentinny, Ardgarton, Ardlui, Arrochar, Benmore, Bernice, Blairmore, Carrick Castle, Glenbranter, Glenlean, Inverarnan, Inveroaden Kilmun, Lochgoilhead, Luss, Rest and be Thankful, Tarbet, Succoth, Strone, Butterbridge, Ardkinglas, just outside Cairndow, just outside Strachur, Glenmassan, Ardbeg, Rashfield, Eckford House, Dunoon (Known as Gateway to National Park though just outside by only a few miles), Culmuich, Glensluan, Glenfinnart, Craighoyle, Aldlochlay, Edentaggart, Invergroin, Ross Park, Stuckgowan

[edit] Lochs within the National Park

[edit] Stirling

[edit] West Dunbartonshire

[edit] Perth and Kinross

[edit] Argyll and Bute

[edit] The sea lochs of The National Park

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In Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park the boundary crosses from, Callander, to Lake of Menteith, to Gartmore, to Croftamie, to Balloch, to two miles north of Helensburgh and Rhu, to Ardmay to Lochgoilhead, to Ardentinny, to Kilmun and up to Breadalbane, but the boundary follows the coastline from Ardmay to near Dunoon. Does that mean that the coast or sea lochs are not in the National Park? Not at all. If you compare the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park or the costal ones in England. Does the sea involve with the boundary on the map, no. But in the National Parks, it's mainly the land that involves in the area on the boundary map but actually in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, the sea lochs are part of the National Park and really in it. That makes Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, a Pass way of Mountains and water, as in Loch Lomond, with a similarity to the lakes in Canada. A National Park of Mountainous landscapes, as in Breadalbane and Argyll Forest Park, with landscapes similar to America, Switzerland and Norway. And a land of importance and myths of enchantment, The Trossachs or the whole National Park for example. But the lochs of Loch Long, Loch Goil and the Holy Loch, in a way making it a costal National Park too, but this National Park has the landscapes, as alongside, culture, Geography, history and in other ways.

[edit] The Holy Loch

The Holy Loch is a picturesque area, with luxury Victorian time houses, guarding the shoreline, with views to the craggy mountains of Loch Eck and the Clyde villages of Kilcreggan, Helensburgh, Greenock and Gourock involving the Rosneath Peninsula and Cloch Lighthouse. It is situated in the Cowal Peninsula, and the loch is a gateway to Loch Fyne, Dunoon, Toward and the Kyles of Bute. The villages of Hunter's Quay, Ardnadam, Sandbank, Rashfield and Kilmun guard the loch. These villages would have seen plenty of times, Dolphins, Porpoises, Seals and the sea birds of the likes of Oyster Cacthers, Sea Gulls and Swans as the smaller ones play on the trees and perhaps the animals from the Argyll Forest Park may come down to visit, as the Argyll Forest Park Headquarters are in Kilmun. These waters would have seen the Clyde Ships too, as World War Two took place in The Blitz across the water in Glasgow, Clydebank and Gourock. Though in general ships were common from before those times and afterwards as Cowal was popular for Pleasure Cruises from opposite the water and today, Cargo and Ferries cross the Open waters of the Firth of Clyde. Many people today see Yachts and other pleasant watersports as these waters are popular.

[edit] Loch Long

Loch Long is a narrow loch at the northern end, as it is mountainous with the Arrochar Alps on the west and the Luss Hills on the east as the North West at the Arrochar Alps and Tarbet are the real highlands. In the south, it is wide, with the hills this time being softer and gentle, as the southern end has the same Victorian houses as the Holy Loch with the examples of Kilcreggan, Strone and Cove, as they see the Yachts passing by. On the meaning of the hills being softer and gentle, that would be the south eastern part as the west is always in the making of Mountains and is the Argyll Forest Park. Back to the northern end, Arrochar is the main village, with views to The Cobbler. An outdoor centre at Ardmay offers good activities for the area. Opposite the loch, Ardgartan sits in the Arrochar Alps, with a caravan site. The Eastern side is completely different from the west. Further down on the east, you will end up at Portincaple, a village were the road does not continue down the loch as it goes to Garelochhead. At that location, there are views to Carrick Castle at the mouth of Loch Goil wich that loch experiences some of the best landscapes in the National Park, at the heart of the Arrochar Alps.

[edit] Loch Goil

As some said, the scenery at Loch Goil is like somewhere between Switzerland, Norway and Glencoe. It is at the heart of the Arrochar Alps, as rugged mountains with conifers and mixed trees go down to chalets, caravans and leisure facilities with a picturesque and typicall Highland vilage, Lochgoilhead. The scenery is special and is a jewel to the people of Glasgow as in the past people from the city came up to Loch Goil from the paddlesteamers to the peninsula of Ardgoil, known as the green lung of Glasgow. The scenery is spectacular with two mountain ranges, as the Arrochar Alps and the Ardgoil Hills that run behind the village and crawls down the land between Loch Long and Loch Goil. Ben Donich, Beinn an Lochain, The Brack, Mullach Coire a Chuir, Stob an Eas and Beinn Bheula stand steeply around the loch. There is an extensive range of wildlife from the costal, Porpoises, Seals and forest of Red Squirrel an Wildcats with the mighty deers and birds of prays in the area of the mountains. Lochgoilhead is a small Victorian village at the head of the loch. Once famous for one of the Waverly's stops, the village has a samll pier, with shops, the odd place to eat and community activities. As in the forest park, the village has a good choicee of forest walks from, a gentle stroll in the conifer wood, or climbing the mountains. You are really in the true sense of Highland Granduer and isslolation when you are here, the wilderness is around you at all times. Towards the north western edge of the loch, Drymsynie Estate has Holiday Homes to rent or actually have to your self. There is a range of lodges, A-framed lodges, caravans or chalets. The estate or house is also a leisure centre. It offers swimming, indoor bowling, ice skating and pony trecking. At the estate house, people come to report sightings of Red Squirrels, as the Cowal Red Squirrel Group has highlighted that Cowal could be their last strongholds of a healthy population in Scotland, as The Cairngorms too, have a stronghold of population. There are four signs within Loch Goil as there are Red Squirrels being reserved there. Further down the loch is Carrick Castle. It as well is a village alongside a castle. It is fairly private there but people come down for the quiteness as the northern end is relaxing, as well as a popular outdoor area with two ouutdoor centres and a popular watersports loch. But we do have to admit it, Loch Goil is one of the special places in Scotland and the National Park.

[edit] Loch Lomond

Loch Lomond is the largest body of freshwater in Britain. It ranges from the flatter lowlands, to the northern end that is truly in the highlands and mountainous, there is a huge contrast from top to bottom. The Highland Boundary Fault Line crosses the first few islands, including Inchmurrinand Inchcailloch, with the hill of Conic Hill. The Bonnie Banks it is famous for and has been said to be Scotland's most famous loch, despite Loch Ness. Ben Lomond and Ben Vorlich are some of the famous mountain tops in the area as Ben Lomond is Scotland's most popular mountain to climb. A world famous golf course at Loch Lomond currently holds the Scottish Open. The districts on Loch Lomond are:

[edit] The Trossachs

Known as the land of Rob Roy MacGregor or the romantic and enchanted land, in fact this land is a small area. The area is like a circle, with one half in the Highlands and the other in the Lowlands. Callander and Aberfoyle are the two main towns, as Scotland's only lake, Lake of Menteith stands with a priory on the island of Inchmahome. Loch Katrine, with Sir Walter Scott's paddle steamer or the Lady of the lake is their. It is a remote loch, with the odd district on the shores. According to some maps, The Trossachs to them are an area with Buchlyvie, Kippen, Blair Drummond, Doune, Callander, Strathyre, Lochearnhead, Killin and Inversnaid as the first four towns to be listed are not currently in the National Park. The city of Stirling is just about on the outskirts of The Trossachs as Scottish Pride still stands in his city of History. Doune is also an outskirt to the proper land, as well it is an outskirt to the National Park. Loch Ard, Loch Chon and Loch Arklet are some of the lochs of a majestic pass from Aberfoyle to the eastern shores of Loch Lomond at Inversnaid. According to some, the whole eastern shore of Loch Lomond eastwards is The Trossachs. To the north of Aberfoyle is the Duke's Pass. The places there are:

[edit] Loch Katrine

Loch Katrine is one of the more popular and famous lochs in Scotland. The paddle steamer there, named after SIR Walter Scott as he wrote lady of the lake. The loch can be accesed via the Inversnaid road or Brig o'Turk road. There is only really a private road around the loch but at both ends you are aloud to be there.

[edit] Land of Rob Roy MacGregor

Here are some of the places that involved with Rob Roy MacGregor in the National Park:

He is known as the Robin Hood of Scotland.

[edit] Loch Tay and Loch Earn

These are some of the famous lochs in the Breadalbane area of the National Park.

[edit] Loch Tay

Loch Tay itself is just abot only has a quarter of a mile of the shoreline in the National Park though to the National Park, they treat it as an area to explore if you are a visitor. They also guide you to Ben Lawers, (Britain's 10th biggest mountain), that has an area up the mountain that is owned by the Natural Trust of Scotland. The Loch itself starts from Killin in the west in Stirling to Kenmore on the eastern side and in Perth and Kinross, near Aberfeldy and Pitlochry. Tay Forest Park has parts of the loch. In Killin, by the Falls of Dochart, the mountains above Loch Tay rising about over 3500ft can be seen. Loch Tay is the end of Scotland's longest river, the River Tay. The water of Tay then starts by Carnoustie and Broughty Ferry as the Firth of Tay, then going past Dundee, (One of Scotland's cities), passing by Perth, to wards Pitlochry as the River Tay then passing through Aberfeldy to Kenmore, meeting Loch Tay, then ending at Killin in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

[edit] Loch Earn

Loch Earn at the western edge is in the True Highland landscape area, with Killin nearby, Glen Ogle and Ben Vorlich with Stuc a' Chroin It then travells to St Fillans, named after one of the Irish saints, were the landscape is a bit softer by being on the edge of the Highlands. The Loch is popular for Watersports, as the visitors in Breadalbane come over to Loch Earn.

[edit] Mountains and Hills within the Park

[edit] Ardgoil

[edit] Arrochar Alps

[edit] Ben Lomond Group

[edit] Crianlarich Hills

[edit] Ben Ledi and Venue Group

[edit] The Luss Hills

[edit] Tyndrum Hills

[edit] The Crieff and Loch Earn Hills

[edit] The Mamlorn Hills

[edit] Loch Eck, Holy Loch and Southern Loch Long Mountains

[edit] The Beacon

Ben Lomond, known as the beacon of Glasgow was once a Volcano, which is a Natural Disaster but not today. At the time Ben Lomond was a volcano, the hills of the Kilpatrick Hills, Campsie Fells and Ochil Hills, parrael to the Highland Boundary Fault Line were made from volcanic activity, at the same time Ben Lomond was active. Looking at Ben Lomond, you can see it from the front, e.g from Balloch and across the water from Dumbarton, or from front/angle, e.g from Bearsden or Mugdock Country Park, from the east, a smooth and steep looking mountain looking from Stirling and Aberfoyle, the west, a sharp jagged looking peak, see from Tarbet and Arrochar, and the north, looking steep and dark, seen from Ardlui. It is the most popular mountain to climb in Scotland as it is as well the most southerly munro in Scotland too. It can be climbed from the car park or visitor centre at Rowerdennan, a small hamlet at the end of the road on the north eastern side of Loch Lomond. There, you are at the foot of the mountain and it is your choice to climb and make choices on this mountain that has seen volcanic activity as well as glacial. Remember to take care on equipment for the mountain and the weather can change sometimes dramatically.

[edit] The Four Parts of the National Park

In Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park there are four Parts. They Are:

[edit] Argyll Forest Park

The second best mountain Landscape in the National Park, with picturesque, glens, typical of truly Highland Argyll. Conifers surround, the heads of the lochs. Glen Croe drives into the heart of the Arrochar Alps, with Lochgoilhead the closest village, just at the south of the glen and in the heart of the mountain range. It's very remote at Lochgoilhead with fantastic craggy mountains around, magical conifers and trees, and a drive sheer into Hells Glen and Gleann Mor. Lochgoilhead is one of the remote picturesque villages. Argyll Forest Park, is truly entering the Highlands and mountainous surroundings.

[edit] Loch Lomond

Starting from Balloch in the lowlands, this loch starts fro not remote lowland landscape, to mountainous, remote highland landscape. Ben Lomond dominates the loch, at 3191ft. It is the most popular peak in Scotland. The West Highland Way starting from Milngaive in East Dunbartonshire goes up the eastern side of the loch all the way to Fort William. Green Wooded Islands stud the loch as the opening ones are the Highland Boundary Fault Line, where the Highlands meet the lowlands, that goes through Conic Hill near Balmaha. Luss and Tarbet (Loch Lomond) are two pleasure ride communities in Argyll. History goes well back in time with all sorts of people living here.

[edit] The Trossachs

Starting from the Lake of Menteith the skyline to the south is the wall of mountain, the Campsie Fells that is a gateway to The Trossachs. To the 1960s people stayed as far as Torrance, East Dunbartonshire to go to the Campsies. Aberfoyle and Callander sit in the area, with easy access to, Loch Lubnaig and Loch Ard. Doune is famous for its castle, that sits between Callander and Dunblane. Loch Katrine, a famous loch, for its SSR Water Cruise named after a famous Scotsman. Loch Katrine itself is firly remote, which can be approched by road from Loch Chon and towards Loch Vennachar.

[edit] Breadalbane

Truly the National Park's best mountain landscape. It could have stretched from Loch Tay all the way to Loch Awe, though they could be in another national park or land reasons. Ben More comes in as the biggest mountain in the national park. From the East of Breadalbane of Highland Perthshire like landscape ( Killin and St Fillans), to Argyll Like Highland landscape(Tyndrum, near the mountainous and unique Argyll Highland area of Loch Awe and Loch Fyne. The mass of Beinn Dorain near Tyndrum, around Bridge of Orchy, could have been in the national park alongside, Ben Cruachan and Ben Lawers, but there was for a while of planning to make a Glen Nevis and Glen Coe National Park, that would have had, the Bridge of Orchy Hills, the Glen Etive Hills and the Ben Cruachan Group. The northern half of Breadalbane is in the Central Highlands.

[edit] The Council Regions in the National Park

In Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, there are four different councils, that represent, either, Loch Lomond, Argyll Forest Park, Breadalbane or The Trossachs.

[edit] Perth and Kinross

Loch Earn's southern and eastern half are in the huge council of Perth and Kinross. The Council itself starts, from north of Dunblane and all the way up to the Pass of Drumtocher in The Cairngorms National Park. In the National Park's area, St Fillans, Ardvorlich and Ardrostan are the settlements, that sit on the shores of Loch Earn. If the National Park extended further east that Killin and north of Dochart to Glen Lyon, the national park would be extended of Perthshire villages, towns and hamlets. In the meantime St Fillans is the main village, named after one of the Celtic saints. It sits on the eastern edge of Loch Earn, with the Highland Boundry Fault Line further east. If you travel a few miles west to the western edge of the loch, you will be in the edge of the central highlands, being remote and in the mountainous areas of Breadalbane. If you travel east you will leave the mountainous areas of Breadalbane, and leave the Highlands, entering Comrie, (3 miles outside the national park) and into Crieff.

[edit] West Dunbartonshire

West Dunbartonshire in the National Park, like Perth and Kinross, is very valid. The council itself starts from Dumbarton up to the southern islands of Loch Lomond. The west side is towards Cardross and the east side, is Duntocher and towards East Dunbartonshire. Speaking of which, East Dunbartonshire could have been in a part of the National Park, as the northern end is in the area of Lake of Menteith, Kippen, Aberfoyle and Buchlyvie, with the Campsie Fells rising, and Loch Lomond being local. In the meantime West Dunbartonshire, has the districts of Balloch, Alexandria, Jamestown, Gartocharn and the island of Inchmurrin. Balloch is famous for being on the southern end of Loch Lomond with the outdoor, shopping, centre, sea life centre and pleasure trips. The further up you go you will reach the Highlands in Argyll and Bute which is mostly in the Highlands. But the northern end of West Dunbartonshire is in the Highlands. One of the Islands in Loch Lomond, West Dunbartonshire is Inchmurrin, that is on the Highland Boundary Fault Line that could cause the odd earth tremor. Most the islands on the loch are wooded. Further south is Gartocharn. It is a small district but one of the bigger ones in the national park for West Dunbartonshire. It is famous for its panoramic view, as you start your way in Gatocharn to get to Duncryne Hill. The view there is fantastic like the Queen's view by the Campsie Fells which is nearby.

[edit] Argyll and Bute

Argyll and Bute runs into the west of the National Park. The Councill itself is about 95% in the Highlands. It is remote, truly highland and mountainous. In the National Park, the districts of Luss, Tarbet and Inveruglas are in the Loch Lomond area. Tyndrum partly is in Argyll and Bute so a bit of Breadalbne counts there, but the rest is Argyll Forest Park. The Arrochar Alps dominate the seen. Arrochar itself is just about outside the range, and is the gateway to Argyll Forest Park, the start of the real highlands. Continue on and you will go through fantastic mountain pass ways, Glen Croe, near Lochgoilhead, Ardgartan, Butterbridge and Cairndow, Hell's Glen near Lochgoilhead, Rest and be thankful and Cairndow and finally Glen Kinglas, near the rest and be thankful, Butterbridge and Lochgoilhead. Lochgoilhead is remote, in the wilderness, with leisure faciliies. Really when once you pass through Glen Croe, and continue on, you are in the wilderness and almost the middle of no where, but you have got small local company, in the heart of land, with huge peaks, conifers, and wild animals, with even sea lochs, but once you pass through that glen, you are never leaving the wilderness. In the meantime, Luss sits on the sunny shores of Loch Lomond. Why I said sunny is to reason that you enjoy it when its sunny and its beautiful, and really once you enter summer it is lovely. Tarbet as well is sunny, but really is the start of the real highlands, but not the central. Ardlui sits underneath Ben Vorlich, like Lochgoilhead sits underneath Ben Donich, The Brack and Beinn an Lochain with Beinn Bheula in the distance. What a perfect way to enjoy a weekend.

[edit] Stirling

Stirling has Loch Lomond, and many other places init. The Councill itself starts in the northern end of the Campsie Fells and up to Loch Tay. Stirling the town is not in in the National Park, but has views to Ben Ledi, Stuc a' Chroin, The Cobbler, the two Ben Vorlichs and Ben Lomond. Doune nearby sits just outside the National Park too. The opening east end for Stirling is Callander. Aberfoyle, Lake of Menteith, partly Tyndrum, Killin, Balmaha and Lochearnhead are as well the bigger towns for Stirling in the National Park]]. Other landmarks as the River Forth travells into [[Loch Ard. The land of the Trossachs is a homeland to Rob Roy MacGregor, who had stayed before, in Lochgoilhead, Loch Lomond, Loch Fyne and Breadalbane. By Callander, there are meddows]]. Meddows]] that have fish and have been a childhood to the local people and children]]. Callander these days has a thriving street, with shops, museums and take aways. To many this is the gateway of entering the towns of Stirling, Falkirk and Edinburgh and as well a gateway to Loch Lomond, partly Argyll and Perth and Kinross, with Dunblane nearby.

[edit] Areas that could be used in the National Park

Due to Scottisheartlands, (Visitscotland) they used Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park as a bigger area in their guide. They meant that in their guide, whilst you are on your stay in the National Park, you can also explore the areas outside the boundary but nearby. They used four more areas that were.

These are the areas that anybody could visit if they went to stay on holiday in the National Park.

[edit] Parks in the National Park

These are the parks or National Park visitor centres and areas.

[edit] Swimming leisure facilities

[edit] Sights

[edit] See also


[edit] External links

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National parks of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Scotland : Cairngorms • Loch Lomond and the Trossachs
An area with ‡ has similar status to a UK National Park. Areas marked † are proposed.