A Day in the Trossachs

Aberfoyle Old Parish Church

An attraction

Set amongst the hills and trees, Aberfoyle is a picturesque hub of the Trossachs. A highlight is the old, ruined parish church, built in the 1700s on top of a medieval religious site. Outside the door, heavy mortsafes once protected the freshly buried bodies of loved ones from graverobbers looking to sell the corpse to medical schools! There are dozens of fascinating old graves outside, many being painstakingly recorded and restored by a local group. The most famous burial by far is that of Robert Kirk, minister here in the late 17th century. Expect to find offerings and tokens of respect for this man who has become known as the Fairy Minister, but his story is better told on a nearby walk. Doon Hill & the Fairy Tree Leaving the grave of Robert Kirk behind, a walk heads into the woods towards Doon Hill, taking around an hour return trip. It’s a route that was familiar to the minister, who wandered here while pondering the lives and stories of local fairies. Rather than ridicule his parishioners for their folk beliefs, he recorded them in a text called “The Secret Commonwealth”. Doon was known to be a fairy hill and legend says that the “wee folk” weren’t happy with their secrets being revealed. One day, Robert Kirk was found dead along the path, with no obvious signs of injury. To this day, some people believe the fairies took him, imprisoning his spirit in a pine tree found at the top of the trail! The Station Coffee Shop In the centre of Aberfoyle, the Station Coffee Shop is the perfect lunch spot with great coffee and even better toasties. Haggis and cheese with a bowl of soup is my top recommendation!

Three Lochs Drive

An attraction

This seven-mile drive along forest tracks winds through some outstanding scenery. You’ll pass Lochan Reòidhte, Loch Drunkie and Loch Achray with plenty of options to clamber out of the car and stretch the legs if you’ve got the time.

Loch Katrine

An attraction

In my opinion, Loch Katrine is the real jewel of the Trossachs. This slender loch stretches for eight miles into the mountains and the best way to see it is by hopping onto one of the boat cruises around the water. The famous Scottish outlaw Rob Roy was born at the end of Loch Katrine in the late 1600s and the author Walter Scott was inspired to write Lady of the Lake after his visit here. Today, it’s actually the reservoir providing water to the homes of Glasgow!

Trossachs Woollen Mill

An attraction

There’s one big attraction at the Trossachs Woollen Mill, or should I say three big attractions – Honey, Baxter & Hamish the Highland Cows! It’s hard to pass by without stopping in to say hello, pick up a bag of vegetables from the shop and give them a feed (and a scratch)!

More infoMore about Trossachs Woollen Mill

Inchmahome Priory

An attraction

End the day with a visit to Lake Menteith (one of the only lakes in Scotland) and catch a Historic Environment Scotland boat to Inchmahome Priory. Founded in the 1200s by the powerful Comyn family, the priory became a safe haven for the infant Mary Queen of Scots in the 1500s. It might be a ruin today, but Inchmahome is in better condition than many of its religious contemporaries, likely due to its island location. It’s a quiet place, where you feel enveloped by the history; just make sure not to lose track of time and to leave on the last boat!