Loch Katrine

Loch Katrine is 40 miles north of Glasgow, 9 miles west of Callander, 7 miles north of Aberfoyle.

Other top attractions close by are The Lodge in the mountains with a Go Ape, Inchmahome Priory on an Island, and the grave of Rob Roy MacGregor.

Loch Katrine can be visited all year round. Postcode: FK17 8HZ

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Camping & Touring Parks in area

The image top is of the vast Car Park at the Trossachs Pier at Loch Katrine. Second top is of the Cafe overlooking the Pier.

By the Cafe is Katrine Wheelz where you can hire Bikes to tour round the Loch. It is about 12 miles to Stronachlachar Pier at the other end of Loch Katrine. Many cyclists bike out to there and catch a Boat back. There is also a scenic viewing area 2 miles out, popular with cyclists and walkers. katrinewheelz.co.uk.

The image right is of the Piers at Loch Katrine with the steamship Sir Walter Scott preparing to leave. This Ship was completed in 1900 as one of the first large pleasure cruisers on Scottish Lochs. You can take 1 hour cruises out onto the loch, or 2 hour cruises up to the Stronachlachar Pier. There is a Cafe and Bar on board. Large Image.

The other smaller Boat on Loch Katrine is the Lady of the Lake. This Boat takes bikes. Loch Katrine Website for cruise times / prices.

The Glen Finglas Monument is a few hundred yards out from the Pier. This Monument was unveiled by Princess Margaret in 1958. Glen Finglas is a water system that links Glen Finglas Reservoir to Loch Katrine. Water from Loch Katrine has been used for Glasgow drinking water since 1859.

Brenachol Point is a viewing area about 2 miles out from the pier. The Mountain across the loch is the 2,391ft Ben Venue, a popular hike with great views over Loch Katrine. The 1,512ft Ben A'an is also a popular hike with great views over the Loch.
Ben Venue Tour . Ben A'an Tour

The Stone Slabs at Brenachol Point give information on the famous people that have visited the point, such as William Wordsworth, Walter Scott, and John Ruskin.

The Echo Lodges are close to the Pier. These were completed in 2018.

Loch Katrine History

Loch Katrine is 11 miles long by 1 mile wide.

Its name is thought be from the Gaelic Ceathairne, that may mean Cattle Thief.

1671 - Robert Roy MacGregor is born at Loch Katrine.

1689 - Rob Roy joined the Jacobite Rising where he is wounded but survived.

1700s early, Rob Roy runs into financial difficulties whilst running his Cattle Farm, he is then accused of being involved in Cattle Rustling, and much more.

1700s early - Rob Roy imprisoned the Factor to the Duke of Montrose on Factors Island on Loch Katrine. One of many disputes he had with large Landowners.

1734 - Rob Roy dies at his family home at Balquhidder, 20 miles north of Loch Katrine.

Rob Roy and his family grave is at a small church in Balquhidder.

1803 - William Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy visit Loch Katrine. His poem Stepping Westward was about Loch Katrine.

1809 - the novelist Sir Walter Scott visits the Trossachs then starts writing his famous poem - The Lady of the Lake, whilst visiting Loch Katrine.

1817 - Sir Walter Scott writes the novel Rob Roy.

Works by Sir Walter Scott are said to have increased visitors to Scotland dramatically.

1853 - writer, naturalist and philosopher John Ruskin and the artist John Millais visited Loch Katrine. Millais painted his famous portrait of Ruskin at Brig O’Turk.

1859 - Queen Victoria opens the Aqueduct and Tunnels built between Loch Katrine and Glasgow, 30 miles south, to supply the city with drinking water.

Loch Katrine is about 390ft above sea level, Glasgow centre only a few feet above sea level.

1899 - the coal fired Steamship Sir Walter Scott is built in sections at Scott Denny, William & Bros, at Dumbarton west of Glasgow. The Ship is 110ft long by 19ft wide.

The Ship was then taken on Barges up the River Leven and through Loch Lomond to Inversnaid on the east side of Loch Lomond. The sections were then trailed by horse-drawn cart for over 4 miles to Stronachlachar on Loch Katrine west side.

1900 - the Steamship Sir Walter Scott begins its service as a pleasure cruiser for tourists visiting Loch Katrine.

1958 - the Glen Finglas water system was completed linking Glen Finglas Reservoir and Loch Katrine.

1995 - the film Rob Roy is released starring Liam Neeson.

2007 - the SS Sir Walter Scott is converted to run on biodiesel fuel.

2008 - the Ship named Lady of the Lake starts operating on Loch Katrine alongside the SS Sir Walter Scott.

The Lady of the Lake had previously ran between Glasgow centre and Braehead Shopping Centre, under the name Pride of the Clyde.

2018 - Echo Lodges were built close to the Trossachs Pier.

Today - the SS Sir Walter Scott is licensed to carry about 160 passengers. Before restrictions, a few hundred passengers were regularly taken at a time.