Loch Katrine camp site is taking shape
Plans for a £240,000 ecocamp beside Trossachs Pier at Loch Katrine are steaming ahead.
It will feature a mix of motorhome bays, eco-lodges and camping pitches for tents.
The project is being taken forward by The Steamship Sir Walter Scott charitable trust.
It is aimed at capitalising on the growth in demand for “glamping” as well as contributing to the national park’s Your Park camping initiative and generating income for the steamship operation.
Loch Katrine lies just outside the Trossachs camping management zones that came into force earlier this year and the trustees of The Steamship Sir Walter Scott Ltd were concerned that problem campers might move to the shores of the loch.
As part of the first phase, which is nearing completion, 12 electricity and water supply hook-ups for motorhomes, an effluent disposalpoint and upgraded toilets and shower facilities are being provided in the Trossachs Pier car park.
The second phase is due to be completed in a few months and involves provision of eight insulated timber camping pods (four en-suite and one adapted for disabled use), eight camping pitches and a new toilet/shower block in a woodland site overlooking Loch Katrine and Trossachs Pier.
James Fraser, a director of the steamship company, said: “For over 200 years visitors have enjoyed the scenic splendours of Loch Katrine on boat trips and they will now be able to extend their stay in this special place by booking an overnight break in our new eco camp which we are confident will prove to be very popular particularly with couples and family groups.”
Anne-Michelle Ketteridge from Forth Valley and Lomond Leader said: “We are keen to support this project as it will help meet a need for campervan and motorhome facilities at a key tourist location in the heart of the national park whilst the eco-pods will provide a new type of budget visitor accommodation which is much needed in this area.”
Total investment in the eco camp is £240,000 and a grant of £50,000 is being provided by the Leader programme.