imported>TheGlasgaeJimmy at 15:13, 17 November 2025

2025-11-17T15:13:00Z

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{{Short description|Area in the southern Scottish Highlands}}
{{For|the hamlet in Canada|Trossachs, Saskatchewan}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox UK place
| country = Scotland
| official_name = The Trossachs
| scots_name =
| gaelic_name = Na Tròiseachan
| population =
| os_grid_reference = NN498068
| static_image = Wooded area of the Trossachs and Loch Katrine.jpg
| static_image_caption = The forested area at the eastern end of Loch Katrine
| map_type = Scotland Stirling
| coordinates = {{Coord|56.231|-4.425|format=dms|region:GB_type:landmark |display=inline, title}}
| unitary_scotland = [[Stirling (council area)|Stirling]]
| lieutenancy_scotland =
| constituency_westminster =
| constituency_scottish_parliament =
| post_town =
| postcode_district =
| postcode_area =
| dial_code =
}}

The '''Trossachs''' ({{audio|Trossachs.ogg|listen}}; {{langx|gd|Na Tròiseachan}}) generally refers to an area of wooded [[glen]]s, [[braes]], and [[loch]]s lying to the east of [[Ben Lomond]] in the [[Stirling council area]] of [[Scotland]]. The name is taken from that of a small woodland glen that lies at the centre of the area, but is now generally applied to the wider region.

The wooded hills and lochs of the area may be considered to represent a microcosm of a typical highland landscape,<ref name="SMC"/> and the woodlands are an important habitat for many species.<ref name="qualities"/> Much of the Trossachs area is protected by various different [[protected areas of Scotland|conservation designations]], including the '''Great Trossachs Forest [[National nature reserve (Scotland)|National Nature Reserve]]'''.<ref name=sitelink>{{cite web|url=https://sitelink.nature.scot/map|title=Sitelink - Map Search|publisher=NatureScot|access-date=16 September 2020}}</ref>

The Trossachs form part of the [[Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park]], which was established in 2002.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/2110640.stm |title=National park 'goes live' |work=BBC News |date=8 July 2002}}</ref> The area has long been visited by tourists due to the relative proximity of major population centres such as [[Glasgow]] and [[Stirling]], and remains popular with walkers, cyclists and tourists.<ref name="SMC"/> Scenic boat rides on Loch Katrine are popular with visitors: the [[steamboat|steamer]] [[SS Sir Walter Scott|SS ''Sir Walter Scott'']], launched in 1899, remains in operation.<ref name=katrine1>{{cite web|url=https://www.lochkatrine.com/cruises/loch-cruises/|title=Loch Katrine - Loch Cruises|publisher=Steamship Sir Walter Scott Ltd.|access-date=2018-06-19}}</ref> The [[Great Trossachs Path]], one of [[Scotland's Great Trails]], is a 48 km route suitable for [[hiking|walkers]], [[cycling|cyclists]] and [[horse riding|horse riders]]. It runs between [[Callander]] in the east and [[Inversnaid]] on the banks of [[Loch Lomond]] in the west, passing along the northern shores of Loch Katrine and Loch Arklet.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thegreattrossachsforest.co.uk/great-trossachs-path/what-is-the-great-trossachs-path/|title=What is the Great Trossachs Path|publisher=The Great Trossachs Forest|access-date=2018-06-20}}</ref>

== Name and etymology ==
The name ''Trossachs'' involves the [[Common Brittonic|Brittonic]] root ''trōs'' meaning "across" (cf. [[Welsh language|Welsh]] ''traws''),<ref name="llt">{{cite web |title=Language Of The Landscape - What's In A Name? |url=https://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/discover-the-park/our-heritage-culture/our-gaelic-culture/the-language-of-the-landscape/ |website=Loch Lomond and the Trossachs |access-date=19 January 2019}}</ref><ref name="cpns">{{cite book |last1=Watson |first1=W.J. |last2=Taylor |first2=Simon |title=The Celtic Place-Names of Scotland |date=2011 |publisher=Birlinn LTD |isbn=9781906566357 |edition=reprint}}</ref> perhaps conserving the compound ''trawsfynydd'' meaning "cross-hill".<ref name="cpns" />

Also suggested is a derivation from a [[Scottish Gaelic|Gaelic]] word for "bristly".<ref name="weir"/><ref name="catrine">{{cite web |title=History |url=https://www.lochkatrine.com/about/history/ |website=Loch Catrine |access-date=19 January 2019}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Ben A'an foothpath.png|thumb|left|The hill of [[Ben A'an]].]]
The Trossachs glen lies between [[Ben A'an]] to the north and [[Ben Venue]] to the south, with [[Loch Katrine]] to the west and [[Loch Achray]] to the east.<ref name=sheet57>[[Ordnance Survey]] Landranger 1:50000. Sheet 57, ''Stirling & The Trossachs''.</ref> It lies at the centre of the wider region, which is generally regarded as being bounded by Glen Gyle to the south, with the western boundary being the road between [[Stronachlachar]] and [[Aberfoyle, Stirling|Aberfoyle]].{{Dubious|Muddled definition|date=October 2022}} [[Loch Doine]], [[Loch Voil]], and [[Loch Lubnaig]] form the northern and eastern boundary of the area.<ref name=SMC/>

The [[A821 road (Great Britain)|A821 road]] between [[Aberfoyle, Stirling|Aberfoyle]] and [[Callander]] runs through this glen, and is the main access route into the Trossachs from the south and east. The section between Aberfoyle and the Trossachs glen runs through the Achray Forest, reaching a height of 238 m above sea level at the summit of the [[Duke's Pass]]. The main route to Callander continues east via the north shores of [[Loch Achray]] and [[Loch Venachar]], whilst a branch of the A821 heads west to finish at the western end of Loch Katrine. No public road continues along the shore of Loch Katrine, although the Great Trossachs Path allows walkers and cyclists to follow the northern shore round to [[Stronachlachar]] on the western shore. From here a minor road heads west to [[Loch Lomond]]. Stronachlachar can also be reached by the [[B829 road]] from Aberfoyle, which passes north of Loch Choin and [[Loch Ard]].<ref name="sheet57"/>

The small town of [[Callander]] and the village of [[Aberfoyle, Stirling|Aberfoyle]] lie at the edge of the Trossachs,<ref name=SMC>D. Bennet (ed.) The Southern Highlands. Scottish Mountaineering Club District Guides - Scottish Mountaineering Trust. 2nd edition (August 1986). pp. 47-49.</ref> however [[Brig o' Turk]] is the only settlement of any size within the Trossachs.<ref name="sheet57"/> The [[Lake of Menteith]], situated near Aberfoyle, lies about six miles (10 km) to the south east of the glen, on the edge of the Trossachs area. The lake is a fishing destination that features the ruins of [[Inchmahome Priory]] on one of its islands, [[Inchmahome]], where [[Mary, Queen of Scots]] was taken as a child before being taken to France for her protection.<ref name=weir2>[[Tom Weir]]. ''The Scottish Lochs''. p. 54. Published by Constable and Company, 1980. {{ISBN|0-09-463270-7}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Millais Ruskin.jpg|thumb|upright|''[[John Ruskin (painting)|John Ruskin]]'' painted at [[Glenfinlas]] in the Trossachs by [[John Everett Millais]] in 1853–54.]]
There are several [[prehistoric Scotland|prehistoric]] sites in the area, including a [[cup and ring mark]]ed rock and [[burnt mound]]s in [[Glen Finglas]]. There are [[crannog]]s on Loch Ard and Loch Venachar, and an [[Iron Age]] [[hill fort]] at Dunmore.<ref name="qualities"/>

The Trossachs were one of the first parts of Scotland to become a recognised tourist destination due to the area's position on the southern edge of the [[Scottish Highlands]] and the quality of the scenery, which may be considered to represent a microcosm of a typical highland landscape.<ref name="SMC"/> The poet [[William Wordsworth]] and his sister [[Dorothy Wordsworth|Dorothy]] visited the area, with Dorothy publishing an account of their visit in ''[[Recollections of a Tour Made in Scotland, A. D. 1803|Recollections of a Tour Made in Scotland]]'' in 1803.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/usebooks/wordsworth-scotland/12.html|title=Recollections of a Tour Made in Scotland, 27 August 1803: The Trossachs|publisher=Undiscovered Scotland|access-date=2018-06-19}}</ref>

The scenic charms of the area came to popularity with [[Sir Walter Scott]]'s 1810 poem ''[[The Lady of the Lake (poem)|The Lady of the Lake]]'', extending his romantic portrayal of Scotland's past from [[border ballad]]s to poems of a medieval past rich in chivalry and symbolism. The poem gives a roll call of Trossachs place names, the lady herself being found on Loch Katrine. Scott followed up with his 1817 historical novel ''[[Rob Roy (novel)|Rob Roy]]'' romanticising the outlaw cattle thief [[Robert Roy MacGregor|Raibert Ruadh]], who was born by Loch Katrine<ref name="weir"/> and buried at nearby [[Balquhidder]].

The leading [[Victorian era|Victorian]] art critic [[John Ruskin]] (1819–1900) and the [[Pre-Raphaelite]] painter [[John Everett Millais]] (1829–1896) spent the summer of 1853 together at Glenfinlas in the Trossachs.<ref>{{cite journal | url=https://www.jstor.org/pss/886970 | jstor=886970 | title=Ruskin and Millais at Glenfinals | last1=Grieve | first1=Alastair | journal=The Burlington Magazine | date=1996 | volume=138 | issue=1117 | pages=228–234 }}</ref> Millais started a [[John Ruskin (painting)|painting of John Ruskin]] during the visit, which he finished the following year. The painting is held in a private collection, but was on show at an exhibition on the Pre-Raphaelites at [[Tate Britain]] in [[London]] during 2004.<ref>[http://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/exhibition/pre-raphaelite-vision-truth-nature Pre-Raphaelite Vision: Truth to Nature], [[Tate Britain]], London, UK, 12 February{{snd}}3 May 2004.</ref> John Ruskin himself was especially interested in the [[rock formation]]s in the area and undertook his own studies of these.

The Trossachs Hotel was built on the north bank of [[Loch Achray]] in response to the growing number of tourists visiting the region. The building now functions as the Tigh Mor Trossachs holiday apartments, owned by the Holiday Property Bond (HPB).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hpb-trossachs.co.uk/|title=Tigh Mor Trossachs|publisher=Holiday Property Bond|access-date=19 June 2018}}</ref> In 1859, a dam was built at the eastern end of [[Loch Katrine]] and connecting [[aqueduct (water supply)|aqueduct]]s were added to as part of a new main water supply to [[Glasgow]]. At the expense of the Glasgow water company, [[Victoria of the United Kingdom|Queen Victoria]] had a holiday house built overlooking the loch. The queen never stayed in the house, named ''Royal Cottage'', as the windows were broken by the [[21-gun salute]] that welcomed her,<ref name=katrine2>{{cite web|url=https://www.lochkatrine.com/about/history/|title=Loch Katrine - History|publisher=Steamship Sir Walter Scott Ltd.|access-date=2018-06-19}}</ref> and the cottage later became accommodation for the employees of [[Scottish Water]].{{citation needed|date=June 2018}}

==Nature and conservation==
[[File:Ben Venue.JPG|[[Ben Venue]] and Achray Forest in the southern park of the Great Trossachs Forest.|thumb]]
The forests of the Trossachs comprise both areas of [[ancient woodland|ancient]], semi-natural and traditionally managed woodland alongside commercial [[Forestry in the United Kingdom#Timber industry|forestry plantation]]s. The native woodland is largely [[deciduous]], whilst the commercial forestry consists mostly of [[conifer]]s.

Fauna found in the woods of the Trossachs include [[black grouse]], [[western capercaillie|capercaillie]] and [[goshawk]]; mammal species include [[red deer|red]] and [[roe deer|roe]] deer, [[red squirrel]] and [[pine marten]].<ref name="qualities"/> [[eurasian beaver|Beavers]] are also now present in the area, with signs of beaver activity being observed on [[Loch Achray]] during a survey undertaken over the winter of 2017–18; the beavers are assumed to have spread there from the existing population on the [[River Tay]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nature.scot/sites/default/files/2018-10/Publication%202018%20-%20SNH%20Research%20Report%201013%20-%20Survey%20of%20the%20Tayside%20area%20beaver%20population%202017-2018.pdf|title=SNH Research Report 1013 - Survey of the Tayside area beaver population 2017-2018|publisher=Scottish Natural Heritage|date=2018|access-date=15 October 2018|page=iii}}</ref>

Species of fish found in the lochs of the Trossachs include [[brown trout]], [[perch]] and [[Northern pike|pike]], and the lochs are also a habitat for [[osprey]] and [[European otter|otter]]. [[Arctic char]] are known to have lived in [[Loch Venachar]] and [[Loch Achray]], but as of 2006 it was believed that they were no longer present.<ref name="qualities"/> The more farmed areas of the Trossachs provide areas of marshland that are habitat for [[wildfowl]] and [[wader]]s, with both wintering and breeding species recorded.<ref name=qualities>{{cite web|url=http://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/rr-content/uploads/2018/01/Ch7_SQ_low.pdf|title=Strath Gartney, Achray and Loch Ard Forest: Special qualities of the Trossachs|pages=130–131|publisher=Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority|date=2006|access-date=2018-06-20}}</ref> In 2011 the [[pearl-bordered fritillary]] butterfly - a species considered rare in Britain - was found to be living around Loch Katrine, the first time the species had been identified in the area for 25 years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thegreattrossachsforest.co.uk/great-forest-restored/great-forest-restored/|title=Pearl Bordered Fritillary Butterfly |publisher=The Great Trossachs Forest|access-date=20 June 2018}}</ref>

Much of the Trossachs area is protected via several different [[protected areas of Scotland|conservation designations]].<ref name="sitelink"/>

===Great Trossachs Forest National Nature Reserve===
The Great Trossachs Forest is a project that aims to deliver a 165 km<sup>2</sup> forest in the heart of the Trossachs in order to develop a wide range of habitats for invertebrates, mammals, birds and other wildlife.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thegreattrossachsforest.co.uk/great-forest-restored/great-forest-restored/
|title=The Great Trossachs Forest - Great Forest Restored|publisher=The Great Trossachs Forest|access-date=2018-06-19}}</ref> Since 2015 the area, which covers much of the core area of the Trossachs around Loch Katrine and Loch Arklet (including the Trossachs glen), has been classified as [[national nature reserve (Scotland)|national nature reserve]] with the title ''Great Trossachs Forest National Nature Reserve''.<ref name=nnr-ns>{{cite web|url=https://sitelink.nature.scot/site/10503|title=The Great Trossachs Forest NNR|publisher=NatureScot|access-date=16 September 2020}}</ref> The reserve is considered to be a "forest in the making", and is managed jointly by [[Forestry and Land Scotland]], [[RSPB|RSPB Scotland]] and [[Woodland Trust|Woodland Trust Scotland]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nnr.scot/Search_by_AZ?page=4|title=Search Scotland's National Nature Reserves by A to Z|publisher=NatureScot|access-date=16 September 2020}}</ref> The reserve is classified as a [[Protected area#IUCN Protected Area Management Categories|Category II]] [[protected area]] by the [[International Union for Conservation of Nature]].<ref name=planet>{{cite web|url=https://www.protectedplanet.net/555588712|title=The Great Trossachs Forest|publisher=Protected Planet|access-date=14 February 2021}}</ref> The project aims to deliver a varied landscape that provides habitats for species that are otherwise rare in Britain, including [[black grouse]], [[golden eagle]], [[osprey]], [[Scottish wildcat|wildcat]], [[pine marten]], [[red squirrel]], [[European water vole|water vole]] and [[European otter|otter]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thegreattrossachsforest.co.uk/trossachs/great-forest-wildlife//
|title=The Great Trossachs Forest - Great Forest Wildlife|publisher=The Great Trossachs Forest|access-date=19 June 2018}}</ref>

===Other conservation designations===
A smaller area (378 ha) of the Trossachs is protected as a [[Special Area of Conservation]] due to importance of the existing native forest.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sitelink.nature.scot/site/8399|title=Trossachs Woods SAC|publisher=NatureScot|access-date=16 September 2020}}</ref> The Trossachs are also defined as a [[national scenic area (Scotland)|national scenic area]],<ref name=area>{{cite web|url=https://sitelink.nature.scot/site/9155|title=Trossachs NSA|publisher=NatureScot|access-date=16 September 2020}}</ref> being one of 40 such areas in Scotland, which are defined so as to identify areas of exceptional scenery and to ensure its protection from inappropriate development.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nature.scot/professional-advice/protected-areas-and-species/protected-areas/national-designations/national-scenic-areas|title=National Scenic Areas|publisher=NatureScot|access-date=16 September 2020}}</ref> Areas of forestry owned by [[Forestry and Land Scotland]] within the Trossachs form part of the [[Queen Elizabeth Forest Park]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/forest-parks/queen-elizabeth-forest-park|title=Queen Elizabeth Forest Park|publisher=Forest and Land Scotland|access-date=16 September 2020}}</ref> and the entire area lies within the [[Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park]].

==Government and politics==
The Trossachs area forms part of the [[subdivisions of Scotland|council area]] of [[Stirling (council area)|Stirling]]; at the most local level there is a Trossachs [[Community council#Scotland|Community Council]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stirling.gov.uk/__documents/democracy/governance/cc-information/cc-information/trossachs_2008.pdf|publisher=Stirling Council|title=Trossachs Community Council Area|date=2008-03-16|access-date=2018-06-21}}</ref>

The area is part of the [[registration county]] of [[Perthshire|Perth]], lying in the most westerly part of the county, close to the border with [[Stirlingshire|County of Stirling]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ros.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/6222/land-register-counties.pdf|publisher=[[Registers of Scotland]]|title=Land register counties and operational dates|date=2016|access-date=2018-06-21}}</ref> The area is represented in the [[Scottish Parliament]] as part of the [[Stirling (Scottish Parliament constituency)|constituency of Stirling]], which elects one [[Member of the Scottish Parliament|Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP)]] by the [[First past the post|plurality (first past the post)]] method of election. The area also forms part of the [[Mid Scotland and Fife (Scottish Parliament electoral region)|Mid Scotland and Fife]] [[Scottish Parliament constituencies and regions|electoral region]], which elects seven [[additional member system (Scottish Parliament)|additional members]], in addition to nine constituency MSPs, to produce a form of [[proportional representation]] for the region as a whole. At [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|Westminster]] the Trossachs area is represented as part of a constituency also entitled Stirling, however [[Stirling (UK Parliament constituency)|this constituency]], which elects one [[Member of Parliament|Member of Parliament (MP)]] by the first past the post system of election, has different boundaries from the Scottish Parliament constituency.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boundaries.scot/sites/default/files/Stirling_2.pdf|title=Stirling constituency map (Scottish Parliament)|publisher=[[Boundaries Scotland]]|access-date=4 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bcomm-scotland.independent.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Stirling_1.pdf|title=Stirling constituency map (UK Parliament)|publisher=[[Boundary Commission for Scotland]]|access-date=4 October 2022}}</ref>

==Hills and lochs==
[[File:Ben_Ledi_from_Kilmahog.jpg|thumb|right|[[Ben Ledi]] seen from [[Kilmahog]].]]
The chief hills of the Trossachs are:<ref name="SMC"/>
*[[Ben Venue]] (729 m)
*[[Ben A'an]] (454 m)
*[[Ben Ledi]] (879 m)
*[[Benvane (Corbett)|Benvane]] (821 m)
*[[Ceann na Baintighearna]] (770.9 m)
*[[Stob a' Choin]] (867.2 m)

[[File:Loch Achray.jpg|thumb|right|[[Loch Achray]] and [[Ben Venue]].]]
The major lochs in the area are:<ref name=weir>[[Tom Weir]]. ''The Scottish Lochs''. pp. 44-46. Published by Constable and Company, 1980. {{ISBN|0-09-463270-7}}</ref>
*[[Loch Katrine]]
*[[Loch Arklet]]
*[[Loch Achray]]
*[[Loch Venachar]]
*[[Loch Drunkie]]
*[[Loch Voil]]
*[[Loch Doine]]
*[[Loch Lubnaig]]
*[[Loch Chon]]
*[[Loch Dubh, Loch Ard Forest|Loch Dubh]]
*[[Loch Ard]]

Additionally, the [[Lake of Menteith]] may be regarded as lying on the boundaries of the district.<ref name="SMC"/>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Trossachs loch dsc06739.jpg|A loch in the Trossachs
File:Scotia_Depicta_-_Trossacks_-Plate-.jpg|Engraving of a view of the Trossachs by [[James Fittler]] in Scotia Depicta, published 1804<ref>{{cite web|url=http://digital.nls.uk/scotia-depicta/|title=Scotia Depicta, or the antiquities, castles, public buildings, noblemen and gentlemen's seats, cities, towns and picturesque scenery of Scotland|publisher=National Library of Scotland}}</ref>
File:Loch Venachar.jpg|Early morning view of [[Loch Venachar]]
</gallery>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Trossachs}}
{{EB1911 poster|Trossachs, The}}
*[http://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/ Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park]
*[http://www.trossachs.co.uk/trossachshistory.php Trossachs History and the people who contributed to it]
*[http://www.lochkatrine.com/ Loch Katrine in the Trossachs]
*[http://www.incallander.co.uk/places-to-visit Places to visit] at www.incallander.co.uk

{{Scottish provinces|minor}}
{{National Nature Reserves of Scotland}}
{{NSAs in Scotland|state=collapsed}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Trossachs| ]]
[[Category:National nature reserves in Scotland]]
[[Category:Highlands and Islands of Scotland]]
[[Category:National scenic areas of Scotland]]
[[Category:Geography of Stirling (council area)]]
[[Category:Protected areas of Stirling (council area)]]

Trossachs - Revision history

imported>TheGlasgaeJimmy at 15:13, 17 November 2025