Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park

Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park [1] straddles the two regions of the Scottish Highlands and the Central Belt of Scotland, one of the four homelands of the United Kingdom. Understand The park is divided into four distinct areas: Loch Lomond, The Trossachs, Argyll Forest [2], and the Breadalbane [3]. It is located to the NW of Glasgow. History The Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park became fully operational on 19 July 2002 and was officially opened by Princess Anne on 24 July 2002. Landscape The National Park encompasses around 720 sq miles (1,865 sq km) of land including the Loch Lomond area as well as The Trossachs region. Flora and fauna Climate Get in There are three national park visitor centres: National Park Gateway Centre, Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch, ☎ +44 845 345 4978 (gatewaycentreinfo@lochlomond-trossachs.org). A state-of-the-art interpretation centre exploring the nature, geology and social history of the National Park  edit National Park Centre, Balmaha, In the pretty village of Balmaha, East Loch Lomond, ☎ +44 1389 722100. A stop-off point for walkers on the West Highland Way, local produce and top-up supplies  edit National Park Centre, Luss, ☎ +44 1389 722120. Find out about Loch Lomond's islands, the conservation village of Luss, and local walks like the village paths and Luss Glen  edit The following communities are within the National Park boundaries: Aberfoyle, Arrochar/Tarbet, Balloch, Balquhidder, Callander, Inversnaid, Kinlochard, Lochearnhead, Lochgoilhead, Luss, Kilmun, Port of Menteith, Rowardennan, Stronaclachar, Tyndrum The following communities are located nearby: Doune, Dunoon, Dumbarton, Helensburgh, Inveraray, Milngavie By train Balloch at the south of Loch Lomond has trains from Glasgow Queen Street (low level platforms), taking about 50 minutes with generally two trains per hour. Garelochhead, Arrochar/Tarbet, Ardlui, Crianlarich and Tyndrum are all on the West Highland Railway, which is served by trains running from Glasgow Queen Street (main level platforms) to Oban and/or Fort William and Mallaig, in addition to an overnight sleeper train from London Euston to Fort William via Edinburgh. All of the above trains are operated by ScotRail [4]. By bus The A82 road up the shore of Loch Lomond is used by the Citylink [5] 914, 915 and 916 buses (4-6 per day depending on season) from Glasgow to Fort William and the Isle of Skye. In addition, the summer-only 977 bus from Glasgow to Oban uses this route, heading west at Tyndrum. The Citylink/West Coast Motors 926 bus from Glasgow to Campbeltown go up Loch Lomond as far as Tarbet and then pass Arrochar and Cairndow on the way to Inveraray. The 976 bus from Glasgow to Oban also uses this route. During the summer, Citylink buses from Edinburgh to Fort William via Stirling pass Callander and Crianlarich en route. Fees/Permits No permit is required to enter the park or explore on foot, by bicycle or by road. Permits may be required for fishing, or some boat use. Get around By bus The National Park Authority publishes a timetable of all the buses and ferries [6] which may be available as a booklet locally. By car If you're driving, mind that the road along the northern part of Loch Lomond is pretty narrow for the traffic it has. By boat Sightseeing trips by boat on Loch Lomond run from Loch Lomond Shores near Balloch. There is also a useful passenger ferry between Inverbeg (served by Citylink buses) and Rowardennan (at the foot of Ben Lomond mountain). The steamship SS Sir Walter Scott offers cruises on Loch Katrine in the Trossachs. There are connecting buses from Callander and Stirling for some services. See Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, (From Glasgow follow signs on M8 for Aberfoyle. From Stirling/Callander follow A81 to Aberfoyle via Dukes Pass), [7].  edit Breadalbane Folklore Centre, overlooks The Falls of Dochart at the western end of Killin (easily reached from Aberfeldy and Kenmore (via the A827 along the shores of Loch Tay), and from Crianlarich and Lochearnhead (via the A85 and A827)). April to OCtober 10AM - 5PM. discover the story of Scotland's 'High Country' Adult £2.75, Child (5-16) £1.80.  edit Do Hike the West Highland Way, [8]. the West Highland Way walking path journeys through some of the finest scenery that Scotland has to offer. Traveling from Glasgow (Milngavie) to Fort William, it crosses the National Park and runs the length of the eastern shore of Loch Lomond.  edit Bike the West Loch Lomond Cycle Path, [9]. This is a 16.5 mile route between Balloch and Tarbet  edit Do go Fishing, [10].  edit Buy Eat Drink Sleep Briar Cottages, Lochearnhead (M9 Stirling J10, A84 to Lochearnhead, A85), ☎ 01567 830443, [11]. Briar cottages are holiday cottages for 4 plus 1 pet in the village of Lochearnhead Perthshire.  edit Lake of Menteith Hotel (Lake Hotel), The Lake of Menteith Hotel Port of Menteith Perthshire Scotland FK8 3RA (From either Edinburgh or Glasgow follow the motorway to Stirling. At Stirling come off at junction 10 signposted for Callander and The Trossachs (A84). Take this road for approximately 4 miles and take a left fork to Aberfoyle and Port of Menteith etc (A873). Once on this road follow it through Thornhill towards Aberfoyle for approx 9 miles and you will reach The Port of Menteith. Once in the village take your first left onto the B8034 and we are approx 200 yds on the right.), ☎ 01877 385258, [12]. In The Trossachs National Park yet easily accessible, being an hour from Glasgow and Edinburgh and twenty minutes from both Loch Lomond and the ancient City of Stirling. You drive through some remarkable Scottish scenery and upon reaching Port of Menteith, the Lake unfolds before you with the hotel nestling lakeside.  edit Lodging Camping Backcountry Stay safe Get out This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!