The Park
(Picture: Luss, Loch Lomond)
Welcome to Loch Lomond & The Trossachs
The Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park was established as Scotland’s first national park in 2002. The 720 sq miles (1,865 sq km) includes a huge variety of Scottish habitats from sea-loch to high mountain – but the common theme is spectacular scenery. As well as the famous ‘bonnie banks’ of Loch Lomond and the ‘bristly country’ of the Trossachs, the 220 mile (352km) long park boundary also takes in the high ground of Breadalbane, a tract of wild mountains and glens in the heart of Scotland, as well as Argyll Forest Park to the west. There the key landscape feature is the long fjord-like sea-lochs that bring a taste of salt air to the gloriously rugged wooded slopes.
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs have attracted visitors since tourism began in Scotland, at the dawning of the Romantic age more than two centuries ago. As a result Loch Lomond and The Trossachs are icons of Scotland’s scenery, with a special place in the hearts of Scots and home and overseas. The famous song ‘The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond’ is still sung with affection, (hear it below.)
The ‘bonnie banks’ have an annual influx not just of visitors from all over the world, but also day-visitors from other parts of Scotland – after all, half Scotland’s population lives within an hour’s drive. It is no surprise that Loch Lomond and The Trossachs is firmly established as Scotland’s most popular countryside leisure destination. See Map
One other characteristic of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs area is the way that it brings together the best of Highland and Lowland Scotland. And the change is quite sudden – that’s part of the appeal! Drive up the zigzag Duke’s Road (pictured above) into the Trossachs, take the main road beyond Balloch, cross by ferry to Dunoon and continue by the Holy Loch northwards into the heart of Cowal – the Highland landscapes will beguile you straightaway!
(Pictured Loch Lomond and Ben Lomond)
Naturally, in an area with such a long tradition of welcoming visitors, finding a base for your explorations is quite straightforward and there is a huge choice of accommodation of all kinds. And there are endless discoveries to be made. In spite of its popularity, only a very small effort is needed to see the wild landscapes at the heart of the National Park – to find the places by the lochs (salt-water or fresh), in the oakwoods or on the open hill where wildlife and unspoilt nature can be enjoyed and appreciated – the goal of so many generations of visitors.
Welcome to this special place - Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park!
(Pictured Loch Long at Arrochar
The Bonnie Banks o' Loch Lomond
Enjoy this rendition of the world famous song about Loch Lomond, click here for more about the song.
By yon bonnie banks and by yon bonnie braes,
Where the sun shines bright on Loch Lomond,
Where me and my true love were ever wont to gae,
On the bonnie, bonnie banks o' Loch Lomond.