What is It - Travelers to Scotland often start their trip with a visit the cities of Edinburg or Glasgow to sample the unique culture, history, and flair of the Scots.  But the beauty and mystique of the region’s geography also attract visitors.  The Scottish Highlands, the lowland moors and the deep-water lochs of central Scotland have been popular attractions for years.  

Although Loch Ness may be the best-known lake in Scotland because of the legend of the Loch Ness monster, the freshwaters of Loch Katrine make it a special place for a visit as well. This lake measures about 8 miles long and .6 miles wide and is located about 40 miles north of Glasgow. It serves as the primary water reservoir for the city and is connected to it by a series of aqueducts, dams, and tunnels. 

There are several reasons why visitors and locals have flocked to this region since visited by Queen Victoria in 1869. First, Lake Katrine became known throughout the British empire during the 19th century because it inspired a famous poem by Sir Walter Scott called “The Lady of the Lake”.  His poetic story painted a picture of beautiful waters, romance, and harmony with nature among knights from the middle ages that reverberated over the years.

Second, the views of the mountains and hills around from the water or the views of the water from nearby summits are spectacular throughout the year.  The clear blue water, flowers and green grasslands around the lake are often photographed and provide a unique landscape. 

Another unusual feature of Loch Katrine is that it has been a popular site for boat cruises for generations. Incredibly, a large steamship known as the Sir Walter Scott was disassembled, trucked across miles of woodland, and reassembled at the lake in 1900. For over a century thereafter, the sturdy vessel has transported passengers from the Trossachs Pier on the eastern end of the loch to Stonachlachlar on the northwest shore. Although the steamship is currently undergoing extensive repairs, two more modern vessels still ferry tens of thousands of visitors across the lake each year. The Trossachs Pier provides a café, parking area, bathroom facilities and a gift ship.

Finally, many people travel to Loch Katrine to bike, hike or run along the lakeside, or to climb the summit of the two nearby hills known as Ben A ‘and Ben Venue.  However, the 13-mile trek along some private roads on the northern side is no walk in the park. It generally takes at least 4 hours to complete the passage on foot or 90 minutes on a bike. Consequently, getting details from local sources on how best to explore these areas and anticipated weather conditions is recommended. 

Interesting Facts - Rob Roy McGregor, who is generally regarded as a Scottish folk hero, was born in Glengyle, a village located at the northern end of Loch Katrine. The exploits of this red headed rogue as a cattleman, highwayman and rebel made him a thorn in the side of local authorities for years. Several locations in the region are linked to various stories about his life and imprisonment. 

How to Get Here - Many people travel to Lake Katrine on tour buses or by private car when vacationing in the region or stopping area ports on cruise ships. It generally takes 75 minutes to reach the Trossachs Pier from Glasgow and almost two hours from Edinburgh.  

When to Go - The climate at Lake Katrine is cool with significant precipitation throughout the year. Temperatures range from the low 40s in the winter to the mid-60s in the summer. May to September tend to be the months with less frequent rainstorms during the year.