Hidden Scotland
Sign in
Loch Lomond

Loch Katrine

The loch of Scott's Lady of the Lake, the birthplace of Scottish tourism and Glasgow's water supply, with a steamer of 1899.

Visit website
Welcome

Loch Katrine lies deep in the Trossachs, a long loch winding west between wooded hills and mountains, and it has a fair claim to be the birthplace of Scottish tourism.

Visited and photographed by Simon Hird

In 1810 Sir Walter Scott set The Lady of the Lake here, and so many readers came to see it that the Trossachs became a place to visit. Rob Roy MacGregor was born at Glengyle at the loch's far western end, and his name was later given to its steamers.

In 1859 Queen Victoria sailed up the loch to open the waterworks that still send its clear water down to Glasgow. Since 1900 the steamship Sir Walter Scott has carried visitors from Trossachs Pier; restored at a cost of £850,000, she went back into service in 2023 and was named Flagship of the Year in 2025. Beyond the pier there are cafés, bike hire and a quiet road along the north shore, closed to most traffic, that makes a lovely walk or cycle ride towards Stronachlachar.

The Daily

Arrives at 5am every day.

A free morning email to see what’s on this week, catch up on what’s happening in Scotland and find somewhere new to go.

The Daily for 28 October, from Scotland with love. The same waterfall seen closer, its churning white water framed by orange and red autumn foliage.
Before you go

Trossachs Pier is at the eastern end of the loch, at the end of the A821 beyond Loch Achray, with cafés, a shop, cruises and bike hire.

Pier
Trossachs Pier, off the A821.
On the pier
Cafés, shop, cruises, bike hire.

Been here? Tell others what you know, and the best go on this page with your name.

Add your review

Did you know

A small tour boat glides across a calm loch near Wildwoodz, autumn branches framing the scene from both sides.
Did you know

A steamer that sank in a week.

The first steamer on the loch, the Gipsy, was launched in 1843 and sank mysteriously within a week.

Autumn-coloured trees crowd the shore of a still loch near Wildwoodz, their reflection mirrored in the calm water beneath misty hills.
Did you know

A queen on the water.

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert sailed on the Rob Roy II in October 1859 to open the new waterworks for Glasgow.

A tour boat moored with bunting sits beside a red-trimmed boathouse on a calm river near Wildwoodz, autumn trees and hills reflected in the water.
Did you know

Launched on Halloween.

The steamship Sir Walter Scott was launched on 31 October 1899 and entered service in 1900.

A rocky outcrop rises above autumn woodland reflected in a still loch near Wildwoodz, golden leaves lining the far shore.
Did you know

Flagship of the Year.

After a £850,000 restoration she returned to service in 2023, and in 2025 was named Flagship of the Year.

Autumn-coloured trees line the shore of a still loch near Wildwoodz, a metal fence running alongside a tarmac path in the foreground.
Did you know

Rob Roy's birthplace.

Rob Roy MacGregor was born at Glengyle, at the far end of the loch.

Hidden Scotland

From our guide to Loch Lomond & The Trossachs

Loch Katrine winds west for about eight miles between wooded hills, and it has a fair claim to be where tourism in Scotland began. Scott set The Lady of the Lake here in 1810, and so many readers came to see it that the Trossachs became a place to visit. Rob Roy was born at Glengyle, at the loch's far end. Since 1900 the steamship Sir Walter Scott has carried visitors from Trossachs Pier, and you can take a bike on board, sail to Stronachlachar and cycle back along the quiet lochside road.

Read more
01 / 07
Where it is

The Trossachs, west of Loch Achray.

Close byIn the Trossachs.
  1. Boats moored at a wooden jetty on a tree-lined Highland lochLoch Katrine and the SS Sir Walter ScottUnder a mile 1 min by road
  2. The café's white building by the pier, Loch Katrine and the hills beyond through the trees.The Pier CafeThe family café at Stronachlachar at the far end of Loch Katrine, with one of the finest views of any café in Scotland.2 miles 8 min by road
  3. Loch Arklet with the Arrochar Alps rising beyond.Loch ArkletA remote reservoir between Loch Katrine and Loch Lomond, dammed in 1914 to water Glasgow, with the Arrochar Alps beyond.3 miles 9 min by road
  4. Loch Chon among autumn woods, a white house on the far shore.Loch ChonA quiet wooded loch on the Inversnaid road, with a campsite, a seven-mile circuit and a kelpie of legend.6 miles 12 min by road
  5. Loch AchrayLoch AchrayA small, still loch in the middle of the Trossachs below Ben Venue, with a Victorian hotel on its shore.18 miles 30 min by road
  6. Ben Venue in low evening light above the forest and Loch Katrine.Ben VenueThe twin-topped Trossachs hill above Loch Katrine and Loch Achray, 729 metres, with a famous view.20 miles 32 min by road
Directions
The Inversnaid falls pouring through green woods into Loch Lomond.AttractionsInversnaid Waterfall6.3 miles
Loch Ard still as glass, reflecting trees and hills.AttractionsLoch Ard9.2 miles
A wooden footbridge over a burn in the green forest.AttractionsQueen Elizabeth Forest Park11 miles
A white cottage reflected in still water among dark trees near Aberfoyle.AttractionsAberfoyle13 miles
Old gravestones in the kirkyard with the hills beyond.AttractionsAberfoyle Old Parish Church13 miles
The Duke's Pass winding through autumn hills, the road curving away below.AttractionsThe Duke's Pass15 miles
The tall roofless walls and arched windows of the priory church.AttractionsInchmahome Priory17 miles

Recommend to a friend

Stay nearby

Places to stay near the loch, and when each is next free.

A Highland calf walks across a lawn before a pink harled house, a stone wall and outbuilding visible behind.Monachyle Mhor
  • To stay
  • In Balquhidder
  • 7 miles from Loch Katrine
Check datesSuie Hunting Lodge, Loch LomondSuie Hunting Lodge
  • To stay
  • In Luib
  • 12 miles from Loch Katrine
Check datesA stone cottage with a slated roof sits nestled among dense woodland, two paddleboards resting on the lawn in front.Red Squirrel Cottage
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Lochgoilhead
  • 17 miles from Loch Katrine
Check datesSeal Cabin, Argyll and ButeSeal Cabin
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Lochgoilhead
  • 17 miles from Loch Katrine
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in Loch LomondAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
Hidden Scotland, the magazine

Scotland, in print.

We want to show you the best that Scotland has to offer. The makers and the creatives, the enduring experiences, the evocative tales, the concealed corners. The roads less travelled that take you to places that matter. The adventures that gather you up and sweep you away. The blend of the wild and the artistic that makes Scotland what it is. We’d love for you to join us.

Get Issue 13Read it here
Read on

What we have written about it and more in Loch Lomond.

ArticleSir Walter Scott’s ScotlandArticleScotland by Bike: 10 of the Best Trails to RideArticleTracing Inspirations: A Jeweller’s Journey from the Isle of Skye to Callander with Heather McDermott
More in Loch Lomond
Find out more

For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .