Loch Katrine

The classic Victorian loch and landscape

Loch Katrine is a unique place, steeped in history and set in magnificent scenery – this is the quintessential Trossachs landscape. It’s easy to see how it inspired writers like William Wordsworth and Sir Walter Scott, as well as artists and musicians. Indeed, Scott's famous poem 'The Lady of the Lake' was set here and sparked the interest of its Victorian readers, who began to travel to The Trossachs to see the sights for themselves.

Enjoy the loch and landscape from the deck of a century-old steamship and, if you’re feeling energetic, return along the shore by bike or on foot. Look out for part of the Art & Literature Trail along the north shore, which highlights historic points of interest along the way, or follow one of the shorter trails from the pier.

Walking trails

Loch Katrine route card (PDF)

Walking

Brenachoile Trail

Follow the beautiful oak-laced shore of Loch Katrine to the wonderful viewpoint on Brenachoile Point. Learn how the landscape and its history inspired The Lady of the Lake.

Wide, smooth tarmac surface with moderate slopes. Brief uneven grassy path to the viewpoint with short fairly steep slope. Includes gate and opening both 1.1m wide.

4 ½ miles / 7.1 km

Allow 2 ½ hours

More information

This easy tarmac trail to Brenachoile Point and back is ideal for gentle walking or cycling, and the views across the loch are breath-taking. Look out for 'book-style' information panels along the way, which are part of the area's Art and Literature Trail and reveal fascinating facts about how this landscape inspired artists, writers and musicians. Discover the story of the Lady of the Lake, the musical connection between the US President and Schubert and why this place sparked the travel bug in Victorian times.

Walking

Primrose Hill Trail

Climb up the primrose-covered hillside above Loch Katrine for some of the most spectacular views in the Trossachs. Look out at Ben Venue, Ben Lomond and the Arrochar Alps.

Long steep slopes for up to 400m on uneven grassy and rocky paths. Includes some muddy sections and a narrow kissing gate.

6 ½ miles / 10.5 km

Allow 4 ½ hours

More information

This trail is a great way to appreciate Loch Katrine’s seasonal spectacles: vivid green hills over deep blue waters in spring and summer, a stunning show of autumn colour from the native oaks and birch, and a wild snow-capped mountain backdrop in winter.

This dramatic landscape is part of The Great Trossachs Forest, a major native tree regeneration project. This area has been planted with Scots pine and broadleaf species like rowan and aspen: trees that would have grown naturally here in the past and are essential for native wildlife.

Activities

A classic loch cruise on a historic steamship

Take to the water on the historic steamship Sir Walter Scott, which has been sailing these waters for over a century, or enjoy the intimate heated saloon of the smaller Lady of the Lake. Book a return journey if you fancy a relaxing day on the water, or go one way and walk or cycle back along the shoreline. Tickets can be booked at time of departure or online at Loch Katrine Cruises.

The classic 'bike and boat' day out

Cycling one way along the loch and sailing back the other has been a popular family day out for many a decade. The gently undulating shore line offers a straightforward but picturesque 13 mile journey between the two ends of the loch. If you don't have your own bike, you can hire one from Katrine Wheelz at the Trossachs Pier. There's plenty of choice, including electric bikes and tandems!

The Great Trossachs Art & Literature Trail

Discover more about the poets, writers, artists and musicians inspired by this dramatic landscape by following The Great Trossachs Art & Literature Trail. The full trail links Inversnaid and Callander, with many of the prime locations found on the north shore of Loch Katrine.

Say hello to Loch Katrine's hairy cows!

Look out for Highland cattle as you explore Loch Katrine. They play a very important part in enhancing the forest environment around the loch. The cattle graze on the move, trampling the undergrowth, which helps birds and butterflies move about and feed. Their manure is a natural fertiliser for the soil and also attracts insects, which are a food source for many birds and mammals such as shrews, hedgehogs, foxes and bats.

Facilities and access

Cycling

Walking

Picnic area

Toilets

Parking (charge)

Shop

Cafe or refreshments

Bike hire

There are public toilets, a café and shopping at Trossachs Pier, where you can also hire bikes or book a sailing.

Getting here

Loch Katrine is well sign-posted from the A821 between Aberfoyle (6½ miles away) and Kilmahog (9 miles away).

Using SatNav?

FK17 8HZ is the nearest postcode.

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