LUXURY SELF CATERING FOR EIGHT, FULLY EN-SUITE, LOCH LOMOND 2022
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Aberfoyle Railway cycle track

6/4/2021

 


Aberfoyle to Buchlyvie  - 6 miles

Self catering cottage Loch Lomond
The former railway line is level with big skies and great views. Idyllic on a sunny day.
A beautiful day at the weekend so we took the bikes up to Aberfoyle and rode south along the former railway track to the former Bucklyvie Station - a distance of about six miles.
Aberfoyle itself is about fifteen minutes drive from Appletree luxury self catering cottage in Croftamie.  A little longer if you take the picturesque back road from Drymen to Gartmore.
Cycle hire near Appletree Self Catering Cottage Loch Lomond
If you don't have a bike Aberfoyle Bike Hire has a great selection of cycles - including electric bikes
Aberfoyle close to Appletree Self Catering Cottage Loch Lomond
Aberfoyle main carpark is fifteen minutes drive from Appletree Cottage and was the site of Aberfoyle railway station - the line's terminus.
The cycle ride starts from the main car park in Aberfoyle.  This area is the site of Aberfoyle Railway Station.   There are 125 parking spaces and there may be a small parking charge.

Aberfoyle Slate

Just to the north of Aberfoyle lie the former Aberfoyle Slate Quarries (featured in the Bridge of Death scene in Monty Python and the Holy Grail.  A mineral line ran from the quarries along side what is now Duke's Pass then down a steep rope incline to arrive at Aberfoyle Railway station.  The slates were then transferred to railway trucks and shipped all over Scotland.   The roof of Stirling Castle is supposed to be Aberfoyle Slate.
The start of the route at the east end of the car park. is easily identified by a railway signal and a blue sign giving the distances to various places along the line.
The first part of the route is tarmac and runs between birch trees which grow over the former goods sidings.
At this early stage there are a few walkers and cyclists but further along the track things become quite.
For much of the journey to Gartmore, the first former station which is about two miles from Aberfoyle the track runs between the main road and the early stages of the River Forth - which joins the sea on the east coast of Scotland by Edinburgh and Leith.
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Railway buffs will spot the remains of the locomotive turntable on the right hand side of the path as well as a set of not entirely complete buffers.  A goods loading platform can also be discerened.
Day out from Appletree holiday rental Loch Lomond
The outline of the locomotive turntable can be discerned poking through the fallen foliage.
Cycle from luxury self catering cottage Loch Lomond
Remains of railway buffers
Cycle rout form holiday rental for eight Loch Lomond
Bridge over the Allt Vingen burn leads to a pretty row of former railway cottages.

Aberfoyle to Gartmore

BMX Appletree luxury holiday rental Loch Lomond
Airborne cyclist at BMX track next to the railway path, Aberfoyle.
At the eastern end of the former railway yard we cross a wooden bridge over the Allt Vingen burn and pass a row of pretty cottages built for workers on the railway. 
Aberfoyle is a great place to bring the family.   As well as the large play park next to these cottages there is a BMX. cycle park, a golf course, boating on Loch And and the treetop experience of Go Ape just a mile north up dukes pass.  Not to mention the excellent Maggies Kitchen on the Main Street.
After the cottage and the play park the route takes close to the shore of the River Forth in its early stages - having started its course a mile to the west at the end of Loch Ard.
It takes the river another 29 miles (47km) to reach the North Sea.
Luxury Self Catering river forth
The River Forth only a mile old in its early stages after leaving Aberfoyle. Only another 26 miles to the sea!
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The cycle track is level, even, wide and peaceful. What more could you ask for?
Luxury holiday rental near Aberfoyle
A bee has been painted on the track near Aberfoyle
Cycling between the lines of trees it is a pleasure on the smooth surface.  There is plenty of room for walkers and cyclists to pass and although the route roughly follows the main road there is little traffic noise.
Every few hundred yards small pieces of artwork laid onto the tarmac decorate the path bringing a sense of cheer.

After a couple of miles our trek crosses a road near Gartmore.  This quiet road between the main road and the village is the only road we cross on our journey.
Luxury holiday rental near Aberfoyle
More artwork...
Luxury holiday cottage near Aberfoyle
...and more still. There are many such pieces along the route.
 As we arrive at the bollards by the side of the road there are two features.
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On the right hand side of the track is the remains of pillbox defence structure.  One of thousands built across the country during WW2 many by the Local Defence Volunteers which later became the Home Guard aka Dad's Army..  
This building is in better condition than many of the others of the same style and vintage.
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Sustrans Cycle Route 7

Self catering cottage cycle route 7 Loch Lomond
Sustrans Route 7 way marker
On the left is the way marker for the Sustrans Cycle Route 7. of which our trail today is part.
Cycle Route 7 takes a 542 mile long circuitous route from Sunderland in the north east of England via Carlisle, Kirkcudbright, Ayr, Glasgow, Dumbarton, Killin, and Aberfeldy to Inverness in the north of Scotland.  Quite.a journey.
More about the route can be found on the Sustrans website where they reckon the complete Sunderland to Inverness journey can be completed in 46 hours and 32 minutes.  I think I would take longer - just looking at the fantastic vistas along the way!
​www.sustrans.org.uk/find-a-route-on-the-national-cycle-network/route-7.
​

Gartmore Railway Station

We cross the road to rejoin the railway path.  Here is the site of Gartmore Station.  
Gartmore Station was actually situated 1.3 miles from Gartmore village,  in an area known as Cobleland 
There are few if any signs of ever having been a station here other than a short cobbled section at the entrance to the former railway yard.  A station house has been converted into a modern dwelling.
Gartmore station, used as a filming location in the feature film Geordie (1955) starring Bill Travers and Alastair Sim.  It is here Gordie is seen mounting a train to take him on the first part of his journey to the Melbourne Olympic Games where he is to compete in the hammer throwing event. (Sorry, spoiler there!)
The station closed in January 1959, about a year before passenger services ceased on the  route and  eight years before the Aberfoyle line closed completely.  More about that later.
Holiday cottage for eight Gartmore
Standing close to where Gartmore Station platform would have been looking south to the bridge carrying the A81 road. Note the bridge has been built to span two tracks.
Immediately after Gartmore Station site we pass under a bridge carrying the A81.  After going through the bridge the tarmac comes to an end and the track is unsurfaced.- although still easy to cycle on.

More about the Strathendrick Aberfoyle railway

The railway between Strathendrick and Aberfoyle was built as an extension to the Blane Valley Railway.  Authorised on 12 Aug 1880 it was completed less than two years later opening on 1 Aug 1882.  
One of its main reasons for existence was to transport slate from the Aberfoyle Slate Quarry tramway terminus to locations throughout Scotland.
The passenger service from Aberfoyle to Glasgow took an hour and a half calling on the way at Gartness, Buchlyvie, Balfron, Killearn, Dumgoyne, Blanefield, Strathblane, Campsie Glen, Lennox Town and Kirkintilloch before finally arriving at Queen Street Station.
The line was never a huge success.  Its estimated build cost was £52,000 and in the first three months of operation the receipts were £138, £88 and £32 respectively (August, September and October).  So not very profitable.
Trippers visiting the Trossachs, continuing their journey to either Inversnaid or over the Dukes Pass to Loch Achray and Loch Katrine  boosted numbers substantially in the summer months before the 1920s.
However the railway suffered in a similar way to the Forth and Clyde Junction Railway (between Stirling and Balloch), with which it shared tracks for part of the route, in that the stations were often a considerable distance from the village which they purported to serve.
Particularly Gartmore, Buchlyvie and Balfron.  The villages were tiny enough and the rail service sparse so it must have been hard to attract passengers.
As with many railways, road competition gained the upper hand and starved the route of passengers.  The line finally closed go passengers in 1951 with total closure from Campsie Glen to Aberfoyle taking place in October 1959. 
More can be discovered about the Strathendrick and Aberfoyle Line here: www.railscot.co.uk/companies/S/Strathendrick_and_Aberfoyle_Railway/

Gartmore to Buchlyvie Station

After Gartmore the views open out quite a bit with the Campsie range of hills in the distance to the south.  
Forestry plantations lie on either side of the track but as they have been recently felled there is not the interruption to the view as there might otherwise have been.
Self catering cottage Loch Lomond Bucklyvie
The line is almost dead straight and level between Gartmore and Buchlyvie Station. The Campsie hills loom in the distance.
Holiday cottage cycling Loch Lomond Trossachs
Bridge over the Forth
The path from Gartmore Station south is almost dead straight and level
In the distance on the right hand side we can see Gartmore House - a large former country house which hosts many activity holidays.
​Soon we cross over the River Forth, still a miandering, picturesque small channel at this stage.  A wooden footbridge has replaced the original iron railway bridge and is wide enough to cycle over comfortably.
Cycling holiday home Loch Lomond Trossachs
River Forth viewed from the bridge
Luxury holiday home Loch Lomond Trossachs
Bridge over the Keltie Water built over the previous bridge, the abutments of which have started collapsing into the water.
A mile or so later we come to another bridge.  This time over the Keltie Water, a tributary of the Forth flowing down from the hills in the west.
This bridge replaces a previous one, the abutments of which have partly collapsed into the water.  Interestingly the current replacement bridge is built straight on top of the first bridge without any apparent effort to remove it.
Shortly after the bridge over the Keltie Water the line starts to veer to the right and heat towards the west.  We are able to see some of the buildings in the village of Buchlyvie in the distance.

Buchlyvie Station

Just before Buchlyvie Station we come to where the junction was between the Aberfoyle Railway snd the Forth and Clyde Junction Railway (closed to passengers 1934 and closed completely late 1950s..   There's little to see now but the divergence of the routes can be easily discerned.  The junction initially having its own signal box was somewhat reduced in leaner times, being eventually controlled by the signal box at Buclyvie Station.
At the former site of Buchlyvie Station the station house survives as a private dwelling behind a high beech hedge.  It is however possible to make out that the design of the building is almost identical to many of the former station buildings on the former Forth and Clyde Junction Railway.
Quality self catering cottage Trossachs national park
Looking east at the point where the Aberfoyle branches away to the left from the Forth and Clyde Railway to Stirling which continues to the right of the signpost.
Quality self catering cottage Buchlyvie
Buchlyvie Station house, 1.3 miles from Buclyvie, survives as a private dwelling, its architecture similar to many station houses on the Forth and Clyde Junction Railway line.
Our journey from Aberfoyle had taken us the six miles along the track to the former Buchlyvie station.  Keeping an eye on the time we decided not to cycle the 1.3 miles along the back road into Buchlyvie Village but to turn and retract our steps (or perhaps wheels) to Aberfoyle for a welcome ice cream before returning to Appletree Cottage.

A month of contrasting weather...

11/2/2021

 
Very cold weather this February has produced much cold weather.  Apart from being good for our apple orchard (the cold kills the unwanted bugs) the weather has produced contrasting views and conditions in the space of a few days.
Last week the Endrick Water burst its banks on the flood plain by Drymen Bridge.  
It didn't take long to drain and a few days later the water had gone and was replaced by sunshine and snow...
Self catering holiday let Loch Lomond
Drymen Bridge this week
Perfect Holiday Cottage Drymen
Drymen Bridge last week - with another ten feet of water!
The flood plain by the bridge, an area which forms part of the show ground for the Drymen Show (one of Scotland's oldest agricultural shows) works very well.  Quick filling up after heavy rain and then dispersing - flowing into Loch Lomond -  within usually 24 hours
Luxury Holiday Cottage Drymen
Last week's flooding
Luxury self catering holiday home drayman
This week dried up with a dusting of snow. The Luss Hills are in the distance
Last week the water must have risen around ten feet (3.3 meters)   The skies were dark and everything was wet.  This week bright and cheery with a dusting of snow.
Luxury Holiday home Drymen
View of Strathendrick Golf Clubhouse from the bridge last week
Luxury holiday home drayman
Strathendrick Golf Clubhouse this week
Even the cold wet dark days are impressive in this ever changing landscape.
Family holiday cottage drymen
Last week the waters came over the top of the river bank here - quite a height!
Further down the road near Finnich Toll, not farm from the Devil's Pulpit, the water form a puddle in the road has splashed onto the adjacent fence and trees causing a myriad of little icicles..
Luxury Holiday Cottage Drymen
Icicles on the fence near Finnich Toll
Family holiday cottage drymen
Splash from the puddle create the icicles
Further up the Endrick Water still we found some good icicles on the bank at Gartness....
Family cottage near Killearn
Icicles viewed from the bridge at Gartness

A splendid sunny stroll up at Sallochy

30/1/2021

 
On a beautiful clear sunny day we drove for a a few minutes up the east side of Loch Lomond from Drymen to the pretty Sallochy Bay for exercise in the fresh air..
Family self catering cottage Loch Lomond
A jetty north of Sallochy Bay looking south.
Sallochy Bay is just a couple of miles past Milarrochy Bay which we visited in the mist and fog.. (see blog) 
Sallochy Bay car park and camp site which is on the West Highland Way is run by the forestry commission and is a small well kept peaceful area on the eastern shore of the loch.  Across the water the magnificent Luss hills rise out of the water covered in snow at this time of year.
Independent luxury self catering Loch Lomond
View to the west on a gorgeous January afternoon
Luxury family holiday cottage Loch Lomond
Bridge form the car park across the Alli a'Mhuitinn burn
From the car park we walked north across the foot bridge over crystal clear waters of the Allt a'Mhuitinn burn past a couple of picnic tables which in this area are built with a steel plate to hold a disposable barbecue.  We followed the tree lined footpath hugging the shoreline which forms part of the West Highland Way. 
Best self catering cottage Loch Lomond
The path through the woods follows the shoreline.
At this time of year one is able to see the buildings of Glasgow University's Scottish Centre for Ecology and the Natural Environment station discreetly hidden up on the hillside. Down on the shore at this point an attractive jetty pokes out into the water by a pumping station. At any other time of year they would be hidden from the view by foliage. 
Holiday cottage for eight Loch Lomond
Buildings of the Ecology and Natural Environment station hidden in the trees
Large holiday cottage Loch Lomond
Jetty pointing south
All the way along the route we come across one secluded small bay after another
Fully en-suite holiday cottage Loch Lomond
Many secluded tiny bays are.on the route
Sallochy lies on a strata of slate which runs through from the Aberfoyle Slate Quarries across Loch Lomond to Luss on the western shore and beyond.  The small slate pebbles make excellent material for skiing stones across the surface of the water.  Many happy hours can be spent doing this!
Fully en-suite holiday cottage for 8 Loch Lomond
Skiffing stones can be an absorbing pastime

Magical mist at Milarrochy Bay, Loch Lomond

24/1/2021

 
Self Catering for eight Loch Lomond
Still waters at Milarrochy Bay
Another misty January day here at Appletree Cottage and Shandon Farm.  So we hop in the car and head up to Milarrochy Bay, just past Balmaha on the east shore of Loch Lomond and about 15 minutes away.  The car park is nearly empty and just a handful of people have come to exercise here..
Family Self catering Loch .Lomond
Is this the most photographed tree on Loch Lomond?
As we arrived the mists were beginning to clear.   Looking to the north the sun was beginning to warm the hills
Loch Lomond luxury self catering
Looking north from Milarrochy Bay Loch Lomond
Milarrochy bay is a hugely popular place for swimmers, sunbathers and paddlers in the summer.  However hardly a soul was to be seen there today.
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Balmaha self catering Loch Lomond
Tom Weir resting on his travels
After a bit of a walk at Milarrochy we headed home stopping off briefly at Balmaha.  The boatyard is currently closed to all visitors but we walked round to the pier past the statue of Tom Wier the famous climber and walker who for many years hosted his travelogue of Scotland on Scottish Television.  Brother of Molly Weir ("Cleans baths without scratching" and star of Rentaghost, he must have covered hundreds of miles in his pursuit of exploring the remoter parts of Scotland.
Balmaha from Appletree Self Catering Loch Lomond
The pontoons and moorings at Balmaha were encased in ice
The moorings and pontoons at Balmaha were frozen over but the ice nearest the shore had been broken - perhaps by the ducks which seemed very keen to greet us!
Self catering near Balmaha Loch Lomond
A duck (male mallard)
Self catering near Balmaha Loch Lomond
Another duck (female mallard)
After our brief stroll down to the passenger pier it was back in the car and return to Appletree Cottage and Shandon Farm.
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Beautiful Sunset at Appletree this evening

20/1/2021

 
Appletree Self Catering Loch Lomond
Looking west (of course) from Appletree's patio
A dry but overcast day which gave way to this magnificent sunset.  Rushed indoors to get the camera and just made it in time.
Luxury self catering for eight Loch Lomond
Appletree Self Catering Cottage and the sunset.
Hopefully this means that the weather will be good tomorrow!

Sun, snow and blue skies - a perfect day

15/1/2021

 
We've had a few days of snow here at Appletree Cottage which gives a whole different appearance to the area.  Stunning when the sun is out.  By way of exercise we went for a walk around Strathendrick Golf Course which is one mile away from Appletree Cottage
Luxury self catering accommodation Drymen
Looking down the 6th at Strathendrick Golf Course

Strathendrick Golf Club

This excellent and beautifully maintained nine hole course was created in the early 1900s,  by Willie Fernie.  As well as some challenging holes it has some of the bet views you will find on a golf course anywhere.
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The original distinctive clubhouse is still in position but there was not a should around when we visited on this snowy day apart from a couple of dog walkers in the distance.  
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A herd of deer occupied the fourth hole - taking their opportunities whilst the course was empty. they quickly legged up to the 5th as we approached.
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Sun, snow and blue skies were the order of the day. We appeared to be the first people to cross the bridge over the gorge on the second hole that afternoon.
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The course is open to visitors and charges a modest fee for a day ticket.  Apart from competition days there is usually plenty of space.  It is well worth a visit.
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As we walked back to the car we walked along the bank of the Endrick Water which runs along the western side of the course.  Ice was beginning to form on the water as the temperature dropped.
Luxury self catering for eight people
Appletree Cottage Luxury fully en-suite self catering for eight people.
After an excellent walk it was back to Shandon Farm and Appletree Cottage for a cup of tea.
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A beautiful day to go up the Whangie!

12/1/2021

 
On a gorgeous crisp clear sunny January day we take a walk up the famous Whangie.
The Whangie from luxury self catering Loch Lomond
Part of the famous Whangie rock formations
The Whangie is a bizarre and most unusual rock formation at the eastern end of the Kilpatrick hills.   To get to it we drove for ten minutes south from Appletree Cottage and along the A809 until reaching Queen's View car park.  From there a track leads up the side of the hill to the site.
The Whangie luxury self catering for eight
The path from Queen's View car park up to the Whangie
Although the path has been made up and maintained - with good styles, gates and walks over the boggiest bits it is recommended that secure stout footwear is worn.  
The path follows the north flank of the hill and can be icy in winter.  
The walk up to the Whangie takes about 30-40 minutes.
luxury self catering for eight Loch Lomond
View to the north looking up Loch Lomond. Ben Lomond is the highest peak on the right.
The views on the ascent are fantastic.  To the north one can see Loch Lomond with Ben Lomond towering above it on the eastern side whilst the Arrochar Alps in the distance look exciting for further adventure on another day!  
​To the east there are views down the fourth valley with Killearn and Balfron villages nestling in the dip..
Killearn luxury self catering for eight
Looking east down the Fourth Valley with the villages of Killearn and Balfron in the middle distance
And to the south east lie the Campsie hills..
Family self catering Loch Lomond
The western end fo the Campsie Hills with Drumgoyne being the lump centre of frame. At the foot of Drumgoyne is the famous (and excellent) Glengoyne distillery

Arriving at the Whangie

The Whangie arrives quite suddenly and unexpectedly.  It is not like any of the hills or geology which surround it.
Luxury family self catering Loch Lomond
Part of The Whangie
An unusual geological phenomenon the Whangie is the result of what is called "glacial plucking". This is caused when extreme low temperatures froze slabs of the basalt rock to the glacier.  As the glacier moved the rocks stayed attached and were plucked from the hillside, causing a split and lean sheer rock walls rising above either side of the gap.
Family self catering for eight loch lomond
Looking through the fissure in the rock
Family self catering for eight loch lomond
It is possible to walk all the way through the cleft in the hillside
PictureFamily self catering for eight loch lomond
The craggy vertical sides are very popular with climbers
Family self catering for eight loch lomond
Ancient rocks shaped by glaciers and wind
The Whangie is hugely popular with local climbers due to it being easily accessible.  The craggy stable rocks form many faces, gully and chimneys for the climbers to try out, practice and learn their skills.
More about climbing at the Whangie and its various routes can be found here: ​https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crags/the_whangie-193
Luxury holiday cottage Loch Lomond
Looking north from the Whangie to Loch Lomond and its surrounding hills
After a good look around we climbed to the trig point at the top of the hill and thence to a cairn on the east.   From there the views were panoramic.  As well as Loch Lomond and its surrounding hills to the north, the Forth Valley to the east and the Campsie, we could see south to Glasgow with the distant high rise flats on its outskirts clearly visible in the bright sunshine
Luxury cottage for eight Loch Lomond
Looking down to Glasgow and the south.
We followed the crest of the hill on the journey back to the car.  This we agreed was preferable to the initial climb route as it was in the sun and less icy - although a little boggy here and there.
As the terrain began to tail off down hill we were treated to an excellent view of Glengoyne Distillery at the foot of Drumgoyne hill.
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Glengoyne distillery is the white building on the left, Drumgoyne is the smaller pointy hill centre right.
Glengoyne is one of the few whiskies in Scotland to be made without the use of peat.  The water for its superb distillation is taken from the burn which runs down the hillside.
Appletree Cottage luxury self catering Loch Lomond and the Trossachs national park
Looking towards Ben Lomond in the distance. Appletree Cottage is the building to the left of the white farmhouse and red roofed barn in the centre of frame (Shandon Farm)
After a great walk we made our way down to Queen's view car park and drove back to Appletree Cottage at Shandon Farm - with perhaps the prospect of a dram of Glengoyne later!
Luxury Self catering holiday cottage drymen
The cairn looking east along Forth Valley towards Killearn, Balfron and Stirling

Foggy day and a feathered friend

7/1/2021

 
Freezing fog around Appletree Cottage today.  I was out taking photos when I came across this pheasant looking a little surprised to see me.  The cottage has been empty for some time due to covid and he may have become used to having the run of the place with nobody around to disturb him.
Luxury self catering cottage Loch Lomond
Best foot forward
Luxury holiday rental Loch Lomond scotland
Male pheasant by the corner of Appletree Cottage
Luxury self catering for eight Scotland loch lomond
Appletree cottage with pheasant foreground
Luxury self catering for eight Scotland loch lomond
Appletree Cottage on a foggy day

Trees in the fog

The day had a feeling of Sleepy Hollow about it...
Luxury self catering for eight Scotland loch lomond
Solitary tree
Luxury self catering for eight Scotland loch lomond
The road to Croftamie village
Luxury self catering for eight Scotland loch lomond
Oak tree in the paddock
Luxury self catering for eight Scotland loch lomond
Our apple orchard in the mist

Happy New Year from Appletree Cottage 2021!

1/1/2021

 

Stunningly beautiful Weather here in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park

Self Catering for eight Trossachs
Mighty peak of Ben Lomond
luxury self caters Loch Lomond & Trossachs
Ready for a new adventure
Luxury holiday home Loch Lomond and the Trossachs
The Arrochar Alps looking west
Luxury Self Catering Loch Lomond
Boats patiently awaiting for the return of visitors

We're looking forward to when visitors are allowed to return to this wonderful area...

Self Catering cottage for eight Loch Lomond
Can't wait to have you back
Self catering for eight Loch Lomond
Unspoilt scenery
Self catering holiday cottage Loch Lomond Scotland
Clean fresh air and peacefulness
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Ceaselessly stunning vistas

Haste ye back!

Autumn Colours in the Trossachs

29/10/2020

 

Fantastic waterfall trail at David Marshall Centre

David Marshall centre from Appletree Self Catering Cottage
View from the car park of the David Marshall Centre
David Marshall Lodge is just north of Aberfoyle on the famous Duke's Pass road, about fifteen to twenty minutes from Appletree Cottage.  Once going through the picturesque village of Aberfoyle turn right, just after the Coop and go up the hill, heading north for about a mile.  The David Marshall Centre is on the right.
David Marshall centre from Appletree self catering cottage
Main entrance to the David Marshall centre
The David Marshall Lodge Visitor Centre was established in the 1960s as a new brand of outdoor centre.  David Marshall was then the chairman of the Carnegie Trust and funds for the trust built the centre.  There is a restaurant, a sit out picnic area a red squirrel feeding station and numerous walks through the woods.  It is also the location of Go=Ape tree top experience with one of the longest zip wires in the UK - see below...
David Marshall Centre from Appletree luxury Self Catering Cottage
The Sitooterie (or sit out area) at David Marshall Centre
Autumn Colours Trossachs, Appletree Luxury Self Catering Cottage
Looking west from the David Marshall Centre. Above the cliffs in the distance, about a mile or two to the north lie the Aberfoyle Slate Quarries, setting for the "Bridge of Death" scene in Monty Python and the Holy Grail film.
The Trossachs has been host to many films - a couple of the more memorable are Monty Python and the Holy Grail and the Kenneth More version of the Thirty Nine Steps as well as the most recent version.  All inspired by fantastic scenery.  As the David Marshall Centre is in an elevated position the views are quite awesome.
David Marshall Outward bound centre from Appletree Luxury Self Catering Cottage
Stunning views looking south can be had from the terrace of the David Marshall Centre
Waterfall from Appletree holiday home for eight
A helpful guide board on the Terrace of the David Marshall Centre shows the various path options available to reach the waterfall
From the terrace a well made path leads down the the valley floor where timber walk ways and bridges take you over the boggy bits and the little picturesque  bubbling burns, 
Waterfall visit from Appletree Self Catering Cottage
Pretty burn runs under the path
Waterfall visit from Appletree Self Catering Holiday Cottage
Well made and maintained walk ways aid your journey through the woods
Throughout the walk there are interesting sculptures here and there.  One of the most interesting was a number of human figures made out of mirror which appeared like ghosts in the woods.
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One of the most imaginative bits - the mirrored figures in the woods. Can you make them out?
Waterfall visit from Appletree Holiday Rental for eight
A bridge over a burn
David Marshall centre from Appletree Holiday Cottage
Great colours are everywhere at this time of year.
Soon and quite suddenly we come upon the waterfall.  High and magnificent with a mass of white foaming water.
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Throughout the walk there have been good bits for kids.  A badger pokes out if its set whilst a couple of roe deer graze in the autumn leaves.  There is also a game of water channeling and many sculptures to amuse the young.
Trossachs exploring from Appletree Luxury Self Catering Cottage
A badger pokes out of its set
Waterfall walk at David Marshall Centre
Deer graze amongst the fallen foliage
Go Ape from Appletree Holiday RentalA person in yellow and black traverses one of the longest zip wires in the UK as part of the Go Ape Tree Top experience.

As we made our way up the hill back to the David Marshall Centre we noticed people flying through the treetops at some speed.  These were visitors to Go Ape - a fantastic tree top experience with high walkways and swings through the upper branches of the mature forest as well as one of the longest and perhaps the most attractive zip wire in the UK. 
Go Ape from Appletree Self Catering Cottage Loch Lomond
The entrance to Go Ape
So at the end of our waterfall walk we jumped back in the car and followed the road to the north end of Dukes Pass where we got this fantastic view down Loch Achray.  
Truly fantastic scenery, all so close to Appletree Cottage!
Loch Achray from Appletree self catering cottage for eight
Autumnal view down Loch Achray
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