New eco lodges at beauty spot

A new tourist development has been opened at Loch Katrine as part of a £300,000 project.

Eight eco-friendly lodges now overlook the historic Steamship Sir Walter Scott and Trossachs Pier – and they are already proving popular with 1000 bed nights booked between now and the end of April.

The project, which is being introduced with the help of funding from the Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER programme, is being developed by the Steamship Sir Walter Scott charitable trust.

There will also be camper van hook-up stances and new camping pitches introduced, while work on the campsite toilet and shower block is due to be completed in the coming weeks. It is hoped that the improvements will capitalise on the growth in demand for glamping while also helping sustain the steamship operation with new income streams.

James Fraser, chairman and CEO of the steamship company is pleased with the way the project has been received.

He said:“We have reached a major milestone with the opening of the eco lodges. The initial reaction from the first groups of guests, from such diverse places such as East Kilbride and Aberdeen to Adelaide in Australia, has been exceptionally positive.”

Managing director Gordon Allan, added:“This represents the culmination of 15 months hard work by our dedicated team of staff and local tradesmen.”