Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park

Located in Scotland, centred on Loch Lomond, the national park is the fourth largest in the British Isles. The park stretches 350 km and covers a total of 1865 square kilometres. Within the national park there are many peaks and hills, including The Trossachs, and over 50 special nature conservation sites.

Towns of the Trossachs National Park

There are many settlements within the park covering 4 counties. The eastern gateway of the park starts at the town of Stirling (although the town doesn’t lie within its boundaries). Running through the counties of Stirling, West Dumbartonshire, Perth & Kinross and finally to Argyll & Bute where it reaches another gateway to the National Park at Dunoon, which lies just outside its boundary. Callander lies within the boundaries of the park, approximately 30 miles drive from its centre at Loch Lomond, and within the boundaries of the Trossachs.

The Trossachs

The Trossachs are a circular area is made up of Highlands and lowlands. The two main towns in the area are Callander and Aberfoyle with many small villages and hamlets around these settlements. One of the only lakes in Scotland also lies in the area, called the Lake of Mentieth. On one of the islands in the lake stands Inchmahome Priory, an ancient monastery, which is managed by Historic Scotland. A short boat trip from nearby the Port of Mentiath will take you to the island to see the ruins.

The Trossachs are known as the lands of Rob Roy MacGregor. The area gets its name from the town Balquhidder where the MacGregor family are buried.

Rob Roy MacGregor

Rob Roy was born at the head of Loch Katrine in 1671. His name is an anglicised version of his name Raibeart Ruadh, which actually is thought to mean Red Robert. This name comes from his fiery red hair, although this is thought to have dulled to auburn in later life.

Rob Roy MacGregor is known as a Scottish Hero and Daniel Defoe fictionalised his life in 1723. He fought against the Jacobite revolution in Scotland to support King James. He lived as a cattleman and he soon borrowed money to increase his herd. Unfortunately, when he tried to return the money the man he entrusted with it betrayed him and Roy was branded an outlaw. He soon was warring with his main creditor, The 1st Duke of Montrose, but was captured and imprisoned. At this time Defoe was writing his book, which turned MacGregor into a hero and even influenced George I to pardon him from his crimes, just before he was to be deported.

The Life of Rob Roy MacGregor has captured the imagination of many people over the years and including Defoe’s book about his life, he is was captured in writing by William Wordsworth in his poem Rob Roy’s Grave and Sir Walter Scott in 1817. He was also the subject of the 1995 film Rob Roy and even in the Disney film Rob Roy, The Highland Rogue from 1954.