Aberfeldy
"So wondrous wild, the whole might seem the scenery of a fairy dream," Sir Walter Scott invites you to Aberfoyle (with slight update from Ronald Turnbull).
Trossachs (like Cairngorms) is a name that's suffered nomenclature creep. Originally, it referred to the patch of woods and water at the foot of Loch Katrine, a jumble of rocks, rivers, chasms and romantical corners that got Sir Walter Scott into a full-on poetic frenzy. It holds just one hill, Ben Venue, a capsule of cragginess packed into a mere 729m. Across the way, Ben A'an looks like a mountain, quacks like a mountain, and only isn't a mountain because of being just 461m high. Let the Trossachs term take its first step outwards, and you get to Ben Ledi. Taken from Brig o' Turk, it's got enough oak trees and schisty bits to look Ben Venue in the face across the waters of Loch Venachar. Take them all together and guess what? It's time for a trip to the Trossachs.
TRANSPORT
Strathard and Trossachs demand-responsive transport
(taxi at bus prices) (01786) 404040 or search my.stirling.gov.uk; Loch Katrine cruises www.lochkatrine. com; buses Perth to Callander 0871 200 22 33 www.traveline.info
PUBS/GRUB
Forth Inn www.forthinn.com and many cafés at Aberfoyle;
Brenachoile Café with lochside terrace at Loch Katrine pier www. brenachoile.co.uk; Brig o' Turk
Tea Room and restaurant (don't be misled by the exterior) www. brigoturktearoom.co.uk
ACCOMMODATION
Camping at Trossachs Holiday
Park, Gartmore, south of Aberfoyle 0800 197 1192 www.trossachsholidays.co.uk; Callander Independent Hostel www.callanderhostel.co.uk (01877) 331465. Loch Achray
Hotel is just for coach tours.
PRACTICALITIES
Aberfoyle is a charming small town (or large village) with all facilities. Two outdoor gear shops can be found at Callander.
TOURIST INFO
VisitScotland iCentre, Aberfoyle (01877) 381221 www.trossachs.co.uk