Home to the steamship Sir Walter Scott, Loch Katrine offers a range of experiences and a unique way to experience the beauty of the area. Why not take your bike to Stronachlachar and enjoy a sail to the other side and cycle (or walk) back. At Stronachlachar you can visit the site of Queen Victoria’s Royal Cottage and walk to Rob Roy MacGregor’s birthplace at Glengyle.

Loch Katrine has 2 cruise ships to take you on the beautiful Loch, to admire the amazing landscape which changes from season to season. There are 3 ways to cruise the Loch and more details of these sailings are in the links above. All you have to do is decide based on your available time, which route interests you most or which ship you would like to experience.  This page will tell you more about these magnificent ships and a little bit about their history.

Loch Katrine has drawn tourists for hundreds of years, ever since Sir Walter Scott’s vivid descriptions inspired a generation of Victorian tourists to visit the loch to see the landscape for themselves.

The Famous Tour No1 began as early as 1859, this was a marathon day excursion by rail and steamship from the city of Glasgow. Tourists travelled by train from Glasgow to Balloch by train, Balloch to Inversnaid by Steamer, Inversnaid to Stronachlachar by horse drawn coach, down Loch Katrine by Steamer to Trossachs Pier and coach to Callander, from where they would take the train back to Glasgow.

This tour proved so successful that it was also run in reverse as Tour No 2. The arrival of the Steamship Sir Walter Scott in 1899 increased capacity on this route.

The 118 year old Steamship Sir Walter Scott still plies the waters of Loch Katrine to this day.  The vessels is powered by its original Matthew Paul Triple expansion engine which passengers can view through the open engine covers.  Many of the ship's original features are still fitted and used every day.  It is the very last of its kind in regular passenger service in Scotland.

Loch Katrine is one of Scotland's hidden gems. You can use or cruise vessels to take you onto the loch admire the amazing landscape which changes from season to season.  All you have to do is decide based on your available time, which route interests you most or which ship you would like to experience.

We have a large pay and display car park so finding a parking space should be easy. Payment can be made in cash at any of the car park machines or by card in the booking office. During busy times it may take a short while to find a space so we advise that you leave plenty of time before your chosen departure time.