Visit Loch Lomond and the Trossachs
National Park, Scotland.
Loch Lomand & Trossachs National Park
Search this site . Guestbook The Trossachs Scotland and things to see and doThe Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park in Scotland ( sometimes mistakenly called the Loch Lomond National Park ) is the first of two new national parks in Scotland and is a wonderful place to take a vacation.
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National Park Scotland !
What's it all about?
The Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park opened in July 2002 and the extent of the national park has been defined to encompasses the whole of Loch Lomond, the Trossachs, the area around Callander, Balloch in the south to Crianlarich and Killin to the north, (and a bit more besides over to the west of Loch Lomond to Loch Long, Gareloch and Strachur in the Cowal Peninsula).
This is where the Highlands meet the Lowlands, where the lochs, mountains, rivers and villages hold secrets of history, legend and tradition.
It's a place where visitors can enjoy adventure, sport or tranquility when they Visit Scotland.
National Park Aims
The National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000 sets out four National Park aims:
- To conserve and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of the area,
- To promote sustainable use of natural resources of the area,
- To promote understanding and enjoyment (including enjoyment in the form of recreation) of the special qualities of the area by the public
- To promote sustainable economic and social development of the area's communities.
These aims are to be pursued by all public bodies with an interest in the area and the National Park Authority's purpose is to ensure that they are collectively achieved in a co-ordinated way.
The Areas within the National Park
The four Areas of the park have been named:
Loch Lomond
The area surrounding Loch Lomond, including Balloch, Rowardennan, Balmaha, Luss, Tarbet and Ardlui. Ben Lomond is on the east side of Loch Lomond and motor launches ply the loch between the islands. Cruises operate from Balloch and Balmaha.
This tends to be the best known and often most crowded area and is the 'water playground'. Many choose to stay away from Loch lomond because of this and will make Loch Lomond a 'day out' rather than their base. Ideal for those interested in water sports and boat trips. The rail link from Glasgow terminates at Balloch near the Gateway centre. Bus services operate on the west side of the loch en-route to the west highlands. The east shore road to Balmaha and Rowardennan is mostly single track after Balmaha. but is always popular.
The Trossachs
The Central area including Aberfoyle, Loch Katrine pier, Brig o' Turk, Callander & Strathyre. Also includes the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, seven major lochs and even more small lochs. Most accommodation in and near Callander.
Often referred to as 'The Highlands in Minature' - Less well known than Lomond area, but having a larger variety of scenery, mountains and lochs is often preferred by those interested in scenery, walking, cycling and hill walking. The area is steeped in history and tradition and was the haunt of Rob Roy MacGregor. Loch Katrine in the heart of Trossachs is well known for 100 year old pleasure Steamer Sir Walter Scott. Popular for corporate events and team building as well as leisure activities.
Breadalbane
The northern area including Glen Dochart, Killin and Glenogle. For vaguely political reasons, St Fillans and Loch Tay are excluded. Several well known Munroes lie in this area.
This is the part of Highland Scotland once owned by the notorious Campbell family and 'Black Duncan Campbell' with his castle at Killin. Vast open spaces here with some of the highest mountains and longest glens in Scotland. Loch Tay offers watersport facilities.
Argyll
The western area including Helensburgh, Strachur, Arrochar and the Argyll forest park. Three sealochs penetrate this area, giving it an interest not seen in the other parts.
This is the land of forests and sea lochs. Loch Long, Loch Goil and The Gare loch are the better known lochs. Includes such resorts as Helensburgh and Dunoon - much loved by the Glasgow folks in the mid 20th c for the annual holiday 'doon the watter'. The Cobbler, or Ben Arthur is at the head of Loch Long near Arrochar .
The landscape and history
A landscape formed by vulcanism, ice, water and over five thousand years of human occupation forms the heart of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. This countryside of lochs, woodland, mountains and moorland has fascinated visitors since the early nineteenth century, when they first came here to view the wonders of nature.
Now, at the start of the twenty-first century, these same wonders still bring thousands of visitors every year.
It could be said that the sight of a visitor complete with camera and tartan bonnet is not unknown here!
Things to do and see
Whatever your interests or reasons for taking your holiday, there is something for everyone in Scotland's first National Park.
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See Loch Lomond homepage for more things to do.
Conservation
The Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park provides many important habitats. The native oak and birch, which once covered much of the land, have been reduced, mainly by the activity of man to a few small remnants which are home to a huge variety of plants and animals.
The National park is not just about tourism. The over-riding function of a National Park is to protect and maintain the environment of the park so that we and future generations may continue to enjoy this unique environment. The greatest challenge to the management of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park is to balance the needs of conservation with the increasing demands of tourism and the harsh economics of modern life.
The Administration of the Park
The Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park is administered by a committee composed of Local Authority councillors, Government nominated individuals and locally elected individuals. The NP headquarters is in Balloch with a sub-office in Callander.
An early priority is to develop the National Park Plan, but it also has many other activities:
Will Scotland change?
A visitor to the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park will not observe any change in the nature of Loch Lomond or of The Trossachs! This may sound, then, like a pointless exercise. The very reason for the establishment of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park in Scotland is to ensure that the area is managed to conserve the natural beauty whilst making the most of the assets of the area.
The Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park came into being in 2002.
Visit Loch Lomond and The Trossachs - see for yourself.
Queen Elizabeth Forest Park in The Trossachs Scotland
The Trossachs - the place to be! Callander - the place to be in The Trossachs.
Callander in the Trossachs - the place to be in the Loch Lomond National Park