Trossachs Region Disney Travel Agents Near Me

Overview

Introduction

The Trossachs (which means "bristling country") was home to Scottish folk hero Rob Roy MacGregor and the setting of Robert Louis Stevenson's Kidnapped and Sir Walter Scott's Lady of the Lake. The scenery—hills and valleys—and alpine ambience are reminiscent of parts of Austria and Switzerland, even though it lies a mere 25 mi/40 km north of Glasgow. We suggest at least a full day there; it's one of the country's most beautiful—and underrated—regions.

Callander, which is a good base for exploring, has a variety of shops and an exhibition about Rob Roy. At Balquhidder, north of Callander, you can visit his grave with its inscription "MacGregor Despite Them," referring to the fact that the MacGregor name had been proscribed. Nearby Loch Katrine is one of the most romantic of Scottish lochs and the water supply for the city of Glasgow. The steamer Sir Walter Scot sails across the loch daily in the summer. http://www.lochkatrine.com/steamship.html.

Popularized in a Scottish ballad, Loch Lomond is one of the most accessible of the Scottish lochs. Straddling the Highland Boundary Fault line, it shares characteristics of both Highlands and Lowlands and boasts a huge variety of wildlife, especially birds and plants. Waterskiing and windsurfing are excellent (equipment may be rented locally), but beware of strong underwater currents.

The surrounding scenery, including the nearby peak of Ben Lomond, is delightful. The village of Luss, on the coast, is a conservation village that was once important in the cotton and slate industries. The loch is good for a day trip from Glasgow or Stirling, or it can be combined with a visit to the Trossachs.

Though only a small city, Stirling possesses as much visual charm as any other place in Scotland, and it has great historical importance. Stirling was once the capital of Scotland and Stirling Castle the favorite seat of the Stuart kings for 800 years (http://www.stirlingcastle.gov.uk). From the castle ramparts, the whole of the surrounding countryside can be seen, including the Wallace Monument (http://nationalwallacemonument.com) and the Battlefield at Bannockburn (https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/bannockburn).

The fine Gothic Church of the Holy Rude (http://www.holyrude.org), the Guild Hall (http://www.cowanes.org.uk), old craftsmen's houses, Argyll's Lodging—a 16th-century town house—and a wealth of architectural gems from throughout the centuries make Stirling one of the most attractive of Scottish towns. Highlights include the Tolbooth Theatre (http://tolbooth.stirling.gov.uk), the Queen Anne Garden, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regimental Museum (http://www.argylls.co.uk). For more information, see http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk.

At Bannockburn, just to the south, Robert the Bruce won Scottish independence in 1314, and you can see an excellent audiovisual display about the battle there. Hunters in the area may come across the obscure, seemingly forgotten memorial marking the spot where King James III was mysteriously murdered.

The massive Wallace Monument stands across the River Forth from Stirling, near where Sir William Wallace, another fighter for Scottish independence, defeated the English (Wallace's 6-ft/2-m broadsword is on display in the tower). At nearby Bridge of Allan is a more historically dubious tribute, a monument to Wallace that depicts the freedom-fighter's face as that of actor Mel Gibson in the movie Braveheart.

For those more interested in animals than history, visit Blair Drummond Safari Park. http://www.blairdrummond.com.