RoadDay1

Road Trip: Day One

Our departure from Edinburgh signals the beginning of our seven day touring odessey. Our first destination is a region called the Trossachs, also known as the Gateway to the Highlands.

What are the Trossachs and why would we want to go there?

The Trossachs are primarily known for their natural beauty, so after spending a week in the urban jungle, we will submerge ourself in nature.

Queen Victoria was apparently quite taken with the area. Since she was a lady of discerning taste, I'm sure that if it was good enough for her, we'll like it too.

Once you start researching the Trossachs you discover a regional obsession with Rob Roy. There seems to have been a real Rob Roy in addition to the one in the novel by Sir Walter Scott. I haven't read the novel and I'm not very good on Scottish history, but I'm sure the true significance of Rob Roy will become clear once we are there.

The Ring at the Festival

Road Trip Itinerary

Edinburgh Accommodation

Highlands Accommodation

Orkney Accommodation

What We're Reading

Geographically speaking, the Trossachs is an area of lower mountains and lakes extending west and south from Callander to Aberfoyle. Aberfoyle is first on our destination - it seems to be a good starting point for exploring the area. From there we will head to Callander via Brig O’ Turk, meander to Leny Falls, Bracklinn Falls, and the beautiful village of Killin built around the Falls of Dochart.

Mileage:
Edinburgh to Aberfoyle:
53.7 miles (86.4 km)

Total estimated time:
1 hours and 13 min

Aberfoyle to Cannich:
153.6 miles (247.3 km)

Total estimated time:
3 hours and 53 min

Activities today, aside from driving, will probably include a lot of walking in nature and looking at scenery.

Places we might go or things we might do:

* Head for David Marshall Lodge near Aberfoyle for short walks through the trees and a stunning vista over the valley.
* Climb Ben A'an
* Sail on Loch Katrine on the steamship the SS Sir Walter Scott
* Explore Inchmaholme Priory on an island in the only 'lake' in Scotland - the Lake of Mentieth
* Visit the Rob Roy/Trossachs Visitors Center
* Visit the Breadalbane Folklore Centre in Callander
* Find Balquhidder Glen which includes Balquhidder Village and Balquhidder Kirk (church) where Rob Roy, his wife and two sons are buried.

Dining recommendations:

In Aberfoyle:

Braeval Restaurant: rustic setting, in an old water mill, food is elegant and intricate

The Forth Inn on the main street for great pub food.

In Callander:
The Clachaig Inn serves fine lunches.

After getting our fill of the Trossachs, we plan a bit of a circuitous route to our evening destination, the Tomich Hotel in Tomich, near Cannich. Part of the reason for the circuitous route is one of the fundamental tenets of a road trip: thou shalt not drive on the same road coming and going. Therefore, rather than just heading from the Trossachs to Tomich via the most direct route, we will get to explore more lovely countryside.
Our route will take us through Pitlochry (home to Edradour Distillery), then across the Grampian Mountains west toward Loch Lochy, then northeast, along Loch Ness.

It must be said, while this is a bit circuitous, the other route isn't exactly direct.

We hope to arrive at our destination in time for dinner!

Useful Links:

About Rob Roy

About Callander