Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park


Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)
Looking eastwards along Loch Katrine
Location Scotland, Argyll and Bute, Cowal, Perth and Kinross, Stirling and West Dunbartonshire
Coordinates 56°15′N 4°37′W / 56.250°N 4.617°W / 56.250; -4.617Coordinates: 56°15′N 4°37′W / 56.250°N 4.617°W / 56.250; -4.617
Area 1,865 km2 (720 sq mi)
Established 2002
Governing body National park authority

Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park (Scottish Gaelic: Pàirc Nàiseanta Loch Laomainn is nan Tròisichean) is a national park in Scotland centred on Loch Lomond, and includes several ranges of hills and the Trossachs. It was the first of the two national parks established by the Scottish Parliament in 2002,[1] the second being the Cairngorms National Park.

The park is the fourth largest in the British Isles, with a total area of 1,865 km2 (720 sq mi) and a boundary of some 350 km (220 mi) in length. It includes 21 Munros (including Ben Lomond, Ben Lui, Beinn Challuim, Ben More and two peaks called Ben Vorlich), 19 Corbetts, two forest parks (Queen Elizabeth and Argyll) and 57 designated special nature conservation sites. There are two National Nature Reserves within the National Park: Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve and The Great Trossachs Forest National Nature Reserve. The former is managed by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), and the latter by a partnership of the Forestry Commission Scotland, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the Woodland Trust (Scotland).

15,600 people live in the park, which is customarily split into four sections: Breadalbane, Loch Lomond, The Trossachs, and Argyll Forest Park.

Sights

The park consists of many mountains and lochs, and the principal attractions are scenery, walking, and wildlife.[2]

For walkers seeking a challenge, the West Highland Way passes through the park, while the mountains of Ben Lomond in Dunbartonshire and The Cobbler in the Arrochar Alps on the Cowal Peninsula attract most hikers. Less intrepid visitors can detour from the A82 to view the Falls of Dochart.

There is a national park visitor centre at the southern end of Loch Lomond, called Loch Lomond Shores in Balloch, which includes a visitor information centre at the most popular gateway to the park, as well as an aquarium, shops and restaurants.

On Loch Katrine, visitors can travel on the historic steamship SS Sir Walter Scott, while cruises on Loch Lomond can be taken from Tarbet, Argyll and Bute and Balloch; there is also an extensive water taxi service between most lochside communities.

Towns and villages within the park

Council area Towns and villages
Stirling Aberfoyle, Balmaha, Brig o' Turk, Callander, Crianlarich, Croftamie, Drymen, Inversnaid, Killin, Lochearnhead, Port of Menteith, Tyndrum, Strathyre, Balquhidder, Kilmahog, Gartmore, Inchmahome (Island of Lake of Menteith)
West Dunbartonshire Balloch, Croftamie, Gartocharn
Perth and Kinross St Fillans
Argyll and Bute Ardentinny, Ardlui, Arrochar, Blairmore, Carrick Castle (village), Glenbranter, Kilmun, Lochgoilhead, Luss, Tarbet, Succoth, Strone, Whistlefield.

Munros within the Park

A list of mountains over 3,000 feet (914 m) within the park and the closest village:

There are 21 Munros in the National Park and 16 of them are within Breadalbane. Ben Lomond remains the most popular mountain in Scotland to be climbed.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "National park 'goes live'". BBC News. 8 July 2002.
  2. ↑ http://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/rr-content/uploads/2016/07/Downloadable-map-of-Loch-Lomond-and-the-Trossachs-National-Park.pdf
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