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This two thirds round of Loch Katrine starts at the pier at Stronachlachar where the steamship Sir Walter Scott arrives mid morning, leaving plenty of time for the return walk back to the Trossachs pier. We did it exactly a year ago but never got round to posting anything at the time so thought I'd keep it seasonal by posting now.
Rob Roy MacGregor was the first to walk the hills that fringe Loch Katrine as this was his territory. He was born at Glengyle near the western tip of Loch Katrine in 1671. He hid in these hills when an outlaw, and knew the secret paths, nooks and crannies all along the loch. A small, steep sided island near Stronachlachar is known as Factor's Island, this being where Rob Roy imprisoned the factor of the Duke of Montrose as a reprisal for evicting his family!
Stronachlachar pier and Factors Isle (protective wall built after water level was raised)
An alternative way to reach the start is by car via the single track road from Kinlochard. We didn't use car or boat but walked from the converted steading behind Glengyle House where we were staying - and hadn't expected to be quite as remote as it turned out to be with no mobile signal, no wifi and ten miles of narrow twisty single track road to reach anywhere else!
The pier tea room was a 3 mile walk from where we were staying but was worth it
After visiting the tea room where dogs can be left at the door (with dog blanket and water bowl provided) you take the private road which heads west round the far end of the loch. This road is owned by Scottish Water and we needed a number to get our car through the gate which means it's a quiet road mainly frequented by walkers and cyclists.
Vehicle barrier
From the slipway tiny Factor's Isle and Stronachlarach Lodge which is available for self catering
This point on the road has a view east towards Ben Venue and Ben A'an but also has the best mobile signal (they told us this in the tea room as there was nothing there). We came to this spot several times to make contact with someone close to us who was going through a medical emergency - not a good time to be out of contact!
This walk provides a great wee history lesson with several of these information boards at strategic points
Zoomed to Ben A'an
From the slipway we followed the road west enjoying the early autumn colours of the bracken.
Looking back to Ben Venue
Glengyle House - birthplace of Rob Roy MacGregor and where we were staying
More history
Line of trees marks the old road and bridge before the level of the loch was raised
Canada geese naturalised on Loch Katrine
Beinn Ducteach overlooking west end of the loch
After rounding the end of the loch and crossing the new bridge now on north side heading east
Glengyle house close up - unoccupied and for sale
Walking east through the oak, birch and beech woods there was access to the shore at various points for the dogs to cool off in the loch. Hope this didn't contravene Scottish Water rules but being labradors it's hard to stop them!
Jack inspecting the boathouse - no outlaws here today
After passing a house at Portnellan the burial ground of the McGregors comes into view. Gravestones date from 1699 to 1800 and are protected by a wall and gate just a short walk from the road.
McGregor burial ground
Rob Roy is not buried here and tradition claims his grave is at Balquhidder although there is some dispute about this!
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/104687/The-grave-mistake-over-Rob-Roy-s-burial-placeThe road winds along the north side of the loch past Strone, Edra and Letter to what is arguably the more attractive eastern end of the loch. It was a holiday in the Trossachs in 1809 that inspired Sir Walter Scott to write "The Lady of the Lake" for which the shores and islands of Loch Katrine provided the poem's setting. His heroine Ellen was imprisoned on one of the islands - known as Ellen's Isle - but I'm not sure which one it is.
Islands towards east end of loch
Ben Venue
Steamer Sir Walter Scott approaching Trossachs pier
The nearer we got to the pier the busier it got with walkers and cyclists as the road hugs the steep side of the loch and is fenced in for safety. We kept the dogs on lead for this last section and found the area around Trossachs Pier alarmingly busy with tourists, cars and coaches after our remote hideaway at Glengyle!
Sir Walter Scott which daily plies the waters between here and Stronachlachar where the walk started.
Loch Katrine from Ben A'an
An easy walk on tarmac round two thirds of lovely Loch Katrine. It would have been good to have done it in conjunction with a steamer trip but because of where we were living we walked the route out and back with Glengyle as our base.
