The Trossachs are a very popular region North of Glasgow. To avoid the crowds of Loch Lomond and Loch Katrine, consider driving long B829 to Loch Arklet, Loch Chon and Loch Ard Scotland. Let me show you around:
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INFO & PLANNING TIPS - Loch Chon , Loch Arklet and Loch Ard Scotland... in the Trossachs
TIPS FOR TRAVEL PLANNING ADDICTS
How to Get to Loch Ard, Loch Chon and Loch Arklet
- From Loch Lomond, Take A811 and then A81 to Aberfoyle. At this town turn west on B829 towards Kinlochard and Stronachlachar
- Aberfoyle is 50min drive from Glasgow
- Aberfoyle is 30min drive from Balloch near Loch Lomond
- Aberfoyle is 20min drive from the Loch Katrine Cruises Visitor Center
Driving B829
- You first drive past small bodies of water, then Loch Ard followed by Loch Chon and Loch Arklet. At the end of the road you reach the Stronachlachar pier on Loch Katrine
- The drive from Aberfoyle, along the lochs and all the way to the Stronachlachar pier on Loch Katrine takes 30 min
- The Road is in good condition. At the beginning there is one lane each way, and then it is a single track road
- Cafe and toilets at the Stronachlachar pier
- Below is a map of the drive from Google Map. The red pin is Aberfoyle. The longer loch is Loch Katrine.
The Narrows
A lot of the drive has no views. Like many roads in Scotland it is taken over by trees.
But before loch Ard Scotland, you can already spot bodys of Water. My map does not indicate them. Google maps indicate part of them as 'The Narrows'.
Loch Ard Scotland
Loch Ard is a fresh water loch. I think it is the less scenic of the 3 lochs. However it is a great place to walk with many trails including the Loch Ard Sculpture trail. You can also enjoy water sports.
Loch Ard Scotland is 4km (2.5mi) long and 2km (1.25mi) wide.
If you are looking for accommodation in Loch Ard, 2 villages lie on its shore: Milton and Kinlochard.
First parking area on Loch Chon
B 829 runs parallele to Loch Chon so you get several opportunities to see the loch.
Loch Chon, which is up to 11m deep, is a popular spot for fishing, especially trouts.
Not far from Loch Chon, just before is the small Loch Chu. A tracks allow you to climb Ben Lomond (to avoid the crowds on the other track starting at Rowardennan car park). However the climb is more strenuous and the path not well marked.
At this first stop, there was a parking area and the barrier. It is at the South end of the Loch.
Second road to Loch Chon
Old tales talk about a water-monster in Loch Chon. I did not spot any but was rewarded by stunning reflections.
The second stop to see Loch Chon was easy to spot. There is a parking area and a sign indicating Loch Chon.
No many other spots allow you to admire the shores of Loch Chon.
After that the trees block the views and the loch narrow away from the road. You get a last glimpse towards the North of Loch Chon :
Loch Arklet Scotland
The 3rd Loch you can see from B829 is Loch Arklet. Is it Perpendicular to the road so you see only the East end. If you have time, there is a road going along the Northern shore towards Inversnaid on Loch Lomond. If I had time I would have explored Loch Arklet more. I liked the bare summits and the colors.
The level of this Loch was raised because of a dam erected at the West end to supplement the supply from Loch Katrine.
You can walk between Loch Arklet and Loch Lomond.
Stronachlachar Pier on Loch Katrine
If you don't turn along Loch Arklet towards Inversnaid, not far on your right is Stronachlachar. The small village is the second pier on Loch Katrine. Some of the boats navigate from one pier to the other.
The Loch Katrine Cruise I enjoyed, did not go all the way to this end of the loch so I was happy to see it from the ground.
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