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Mountains reflected in a still loch, framed by overhanging trees
Loch Lomond

Loch Venachar

A long loch west of Callander, with a sailing club and a sixteen-mile cycling circuit of its shores.

Welcome

Loch Venachar stretches west from near Callander towards Loch Achray and the heart of the Trossachs, a long loch of about three and three-quarter miles between wooded hills, with Ben Venue and Ben Ledi in view.

The A821 runs along its northern shore, and a quiet private road, the Invertrossachs road, follows the south side.

It is a loch for being out on and around. The Loch Venachar Sailing Club, on the south shore off the Invertrossachs road, is open to sailors of any age and experience. The water holds good numbers of trout and pike for anglers. For cyclists there is a circuit of about sixteen miles from Callander, following the Invertrossachs road, part of National Cycle Route 7, and a stretch of the Great Trossachs Path high above the lochshore, and walkers can follow forest tracks round the loch past hidden lochans.

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The Daily for 3 November, from Scotland with love. Black cattle graze a fort mound above a river valley, a farmhouse and white cottages scattered among green fields and autumn woodland.
A short drive awayLoch LubnaigA long, quiet loch below Ben Ledi between Callander and Strathyre, with the Rob Roy Way along its shore.23 min by roadSee itLoch Lubnaig
Before you go

Loch Venachar is west of Callander on the A821; the Invertrossachs road runs along the south shore.

Road
The A821, north shore.
Cycle
A circuit of about 16 miles from Callander.
Sailing
Loch Venachar Sailing Club, south shore.

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Where it is

West of Callander.

Close byNear Callander.
  1. A wood-fired pizza with pepperoni, mozzarella and fresh basil on a wooden table at Nick's at Port of Menteith.Nick's at Port of Menteith4 miles as the crow flies
  2. White water pouring over rocks at the Falls of Leny.Falls of LenyWhite water in the Pass of Leny above Callander, where the Garbh Uisge crosses the Highland Boundary Fault.5 miles 18 min by road
  3. Galleria Luti's stone front on Ancaster Square, Callander.Galleria LutiA family-run gallery of bright contemporary Scottish art in a converted house on Ancaster Square, Callander.5 miles 19 min by road
  4. Ancaster Square, its spire and cafés.CallanderThe busy gateway town on the River Teith where the road enters the Highlands, with a Roman fort, the Crags and the Rob Roy Way.5 miles 20 min by road
  5. The pool below a falls in the rocky gorge, a footbridge above.Bracklinn FallsA string of cascades in a wooded gorge above Callander, where the Keltie Water crosses the Highland Boundary Fault.6 miles 22 min by road
  6. Loch AchrayLoch AchrayA small, still loch in the middle of the Trossachs below Ben Venue, with a Victorian hotel on its shore.10 miles 25 min by road
Directions
Steel bridge spans a rocky gorge above a dark waterfall poolAttractionsScouts Pool5.9 miles
The view from Ben Ledi's slopes over the hills of the Trossachs.AttractionsBen Ledi6.3 miles
Families with wheelbarrows picking pumpkins across the field at Arnprior under a grey October sky, with a painted photo frame in the foreground.AttractionsArnprior Farm7.1 miles
Forested hillside curves along a still loch beneath distant mountainsAttractionsLoch Lubnaig9.0 miles
The steamship Sir Walter Scott at the pier on Loch Katrine.CafeSteamship Café10 miles
Ben Venue in low evening light above the forest and Loch Katrine.AttractionsBen Venue10 miles
The Broch Café's carved wooden sign above spring daffodils.CafeThe Broch Cafe11 miles
A red-brick building lettered "DEANSTON DISTILLERY" stands beside a taller mill building, a road curving past manicured lawns.AttractionsDeanston Distillery12 miles
Balquhidder parish church and the ruined old kirk among trees, from the air.AttractionsBalquhidder Parish Church16 miles

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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
  • 11 miles from Loch Venachar
Check datesA grand stone mansion with multiple gables and chimneys stands behind a lawn set with wicker chairs, seen through overhanging leaves.Cromlix
  • To stay
  • In Kinbuck
  • 13 miles from Loch Venachar
Check datesSuie Hunting Lodge, Loch LomondSuie Hunting Lodge
  • To stay
  • In Luib
  • 15 miles from Loch Venachar
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
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