BLOGS

Some areas of Scotland are renowned for magnificent autumnal colours, and nowhere more so than in the Trossachs.  The weather this year has produced some spectacular golds, oranges, and browns in the foliage of this well-wooded area.

A couple of weeks ago, we travelled to Balloch to visit the Loch Lomond Food and Drink Festival.  Balloch is only about a fifteen-minute drive from Appletree Cottage (or around thirty minutes by push bike, depending on fitness) and is a popular base for many activities.

Earlier in the year, we took a trip to explore the Bracklinn Falls near Callander, about a 35-minute drive from Appletree Cottage. We had heard that the falls could be quite spectacular when the river was in spate. And we were not disappointed. Impressive boulders and rocks surround the site, bearing testimony to the force of the water over thousands of years. Slightly further downstream, we come to the Bracklinn Bridge.  The current one is at least the fourth structure.

A fantastic day was had on Saturday last, at the World Pipe Band Championships, which is held annually on Glasgow Green (about 40 minutes from Appletree Cottage)

A day visit to Millport on the Isle of Cumbrae

A fantastic cycle ride along the north shore of Loch Katrine

Having recently completed the Rob Roy Way route from Old Drymen Road to Aberfoyle, we decided to expand the journey and return to Old Drymen Road carpark where we started via the former Aberfoyle Railway to Buchlyvie

A great day cycling along the Rob Roy Way from Old Drymen Road to Aberfoyle

We’re sometimes asked “where is the best off-road cycling in Scotland?” and in particular “what is the best off-road cycle area near Loch Lomond?” Aberfoyle in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park is possibly the answer to both of these questions.

In this wonderful spring weather, we decided to go for a bit of a hill walk.  And where better than the very popular Ben A’an at the eastern end of Loch Katrine?