The Loch Katrine Experience

When we visited the cafe lift was out of order. Same thing happened on our last visit a couple of years ago. So maybe work a phone call before you set off. Food was available to order at the gift shop and as it was a lovely day, so we could eat at one of the tables outside. Be aware, the accessible toilet is VERY low. If you have back or shoulder/arm problems this will cause you serious difficulties.

This very beautiful and picturesque loch was just a twenty-minute drive from where my friend and I stayed in Callander. Trossachs Pier has a cafe (with lift access), gift shop (with level access), toilets (including an all-abilities toilet located in the cafe), and a booking office (with level access) where you can book scenic boat cruises on the loch. We planned to go on a boat cruise, but unfortunately, Loch Katrine’s only wheelchair-accessible boat (also with an all-abilities toilet), the Steamship Sir Walter Scott, was out of service due to being under restoration. We knew this before visiting but wanted to take in the scenery anyway. We made the most of our visit to the loch by going on a nice scenic stroll along the North Shore Road. Before heading off on our stroll, we came across a map that showed something very special three miles from Trossachs Pier - Brenachoile Point (where a scene from Outlander was filmed). Exciting! We decided to head there! Brenachoile Point is where Brianna and Roger had a picnic in Outlander. It’s not very accessible once you reach it, but I think it was worth it. We saw a lot of beautiful scenery, heard some wildlife and encountered some very friendly people along the way. We also passed Glen Finglas Falls. This was very pretty, and I loved the sound of the water there.

Our plans to has a sail on the Sir Walter Scott were scuppered last September when the vessel was out of action whist we were staying in the area. Not so this time however and I phoned up to make a booking in advance of us going as I use a wheelchair and couldn’t see how to book such on the website.. I spoke to a very helpful gentleman called Gordon who advised which was the better of the two days I could visit, in accordance with advance bookings and what was also happening on the pier. We were also just told to pay on the day incase our plans were changed. Being a wheelchair user also gets a £1.50 discount on the aduly fare. Obviously he couldn’t guarantee what the weather would be and we found the day we visited to be fairly dreich. Having had an ‘interesting drive’ over from Dunblane, we found the signposts to be excellent in getting us to the pier and found a disabled parking by right beside the booking office/jetty. Boarding was made easy for the wheelchair thanks to a ramp and the crew members willing to assist. Due to the weather I stayed inside and, although the cabin was busy, I was able to have good forward and side facing views. My wife and daughter braved the elements and went out to the forward seating areas for a bit. Although we didn’t try them ‘Special teas/coffees’ were being sold as was photographs taken by the on board photographer’ Unfortunately the weather did hamper viewing the peaks during the two hour sail up to Stronachlachar Pier but I found the bits of commentary interesting as landmarks were pointed out as well as historic facts. Despite the weather hampering the views and a busy and a noisy cabin, I did enjoy have the sail on the Sir Walter Scott - another of the my bucket list