Loch Katrine Eco Camping

The Owner Says

It’s not always clear which is the biggest attraction at Loch Katrine, the water itself – a nine-mile-long S shape in the heart of The Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park – or the 118-year-old single screw passenger steamship, (the last of her kind), that sails along it. The world-famous steamer, Sir Walter Scott, came here in sections in 1899 by barge and horse-drawn bogies before being painstakingly re-assembled for her maiden voyage at the end of March 1900. For today’s visitors it’s a far easier journey! We are a one-hour drive from Glasgow and just a little more from Edinburgh. The sleeper train from London to Stirling affords you even less stress on your journey north. From Stirling, it's just a short drive into the spellbinding heart of the Trossachs and the Great Trossachs Forest National Nature Reserve.                                                                       

It is a truly magical setting!

Along with running the Steamship Sir Walter Scott, the Lady of the Lake, the Trossachs Pier, the steamship cafe, the gift shop, and visitor centre, the team here at Loch Katrine have just opened our new and exciting eco campsite. The brand new facilities are suitably modern. Our new secluded eco lodges allow those traveling light to live in luxury but still enjoy the great outdoors.  Located 7 miles from Callander and 5 miles from Aberfoyle; our Eco Camp is the perfect base to get away from it all but still be within a short drive to bustling tourist hubs.  Inside each eco lodge, a compact kitchen, heating, proper beds, TV and free Wi-Fi come as standard. The largest lodges also offer en suite shower rooms and under-floor heating.                                                                                                           

The lodges' prime position means “glampers” wake up to the view of Ben Venue, lulled by the rippling waters of Loch Katrine. As evening descends, the dramatic sunsets enjoyed from the lodges are very special indeed. As exciting as an eco lodge stay might sound, it’s still a far cry from Queen Victoria’s experience when she came to visit the loch in 1859, famously demanding an entire house and jetty to be built for her exclusive personal use. Alas, despite the production of the gothic royal cottage and jetty, which can still be visited to this day, Queen Victoria never stayed there overnight. The twenty-one-gun salute that greeted her arrival shattered almost every window in the house making it impossible for her to stay overnight.

All eco lodges include a small kitchenette with combo microwave, fridge and sink, Freeview HDTV, free Wi-Fi, lighting and heating.

The Luxury Loch Lodges have en-suite facilities (including a walk-in electric shower), under-floor heating and sleep up to 4, with 2 in a king-sized bed and up to 2 in a fold down bed.  The Ben Lodges have panel heating and sleep 2 in fixed double bunk beds and 2 in a 'put-u-up' double sofa bed. A toilet and shower block is nearby.  A wheelchair-friendly lodge is available. 

Campers have access to the shared toilet and shower block and some pitches have optional electrical hook-ups. Our standard pitch is 2.6 x 4 meters. Two camping pitches are wheelchair-friendly.  The whole woodland area surrounding the camp is truly beautiful and is designated as a SSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and SAC (Special Area of Conservation). As a result of this, we do not allow charcoal BBQ's or open fires at the Eco Camp site to ensure protection of the woodland.

Parking for campers is in main Trossachs Pier car park overnight (car park is covered by CCTV), cars can access the site for loading and unloading only.

Please bear in mind that there is no direct access to the Loch at the Eco Camp site, a fence prevents access due to continual boat movements.  There are view points and access to the lochside a short walk up the lochside.  Fishing on Loch Katrine is by boat only and requires a permit.

Campervan/Motor-home pitches are in the car park and have electric hook-ups, water and are close to a toilet block where there is a wet room and shower.           

All guests receive 20% off sailings on the Steamship Sir Walter Scott or on the Lady of the Lake.

On all of our boat cruises you can hear about the facts and tales relating to Loch Katrine. You can hire bikes on site and purchase a one-way boat ticket to the far end of the loch (taking bikes and buggies on board) and pedal back along the quiet and almost car-free, loch-side road.

Hiking, meanwhile, is a key attraction for many. Whether it’s a gentle stroll from Stronachlachar Pier to Glengyle House, (the birthplace of Scottish legend Rob Roy MacGregor), taking the long route to Ben Lomond or making your way up to the nearby peak of Ben A'an, there are endless opportunities to explore the beautiful landscape. Ben A’an boasts spectacular views across the loch to the west. From here you can see the Steamship Sir Walter Scott steaming across the water. From the summit you can really understand how Loch Katrine – “highland thief or robber” in Gaelic – earned its name. It certainly steals your breath away.

Further information about hiking routes is available from our kiosk.

Other nearby attractions within easy reach from Loch Katrine include the castles at Stirling (01786 450000) and Doune (01786 841742), whisky distilleries at Deanston (01786 843010) and Glengoyne (01360 550 254), the National Wallace Monument (01786 472140), Blair Drummond Safari Park (01786 841456), and Go Ape Aberfoyle (0845 094 9032).