Walking in and around our part of Scotland
Coll and Tiree cottages are located in one of the most picturesque and accessiblle parts of Scotland: the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park and Perthshire. The area around Dyekhead where the cottages are located has an abundance of hills, mountains, lochs and glens and there are many walks on our doorstep, some easy, some moderate and some difficult! So bring your walking shoes and all weather gear for a real walking treat.
We enjoy walkiing the dogs (a Siberian Husky and a Saluki cross) up on the nearby Menteith Hills, just north of the cottages on the road to Callander. The walks here are easy and are mainly along paths through the forests. There are some lovely views towards Callander and the hills and mountains beyond.
Finding your way around
Here's a link to a map that will show you the surrounding area so that you can see the hills and countryside around Dykehead: map of area
Some Local and Nearby Walks in the Trossachs
Here are some walks that you can easily do from our cottages (weblinks to Walkthehighlands website):
Ben An (small mountain)- 2.5 miles, takes about 2-4 hours to do. Ben An is a very popular small mountain right in the heart of the Trossachs, with wonderful views form the summit. It can be a strenuous walk at times, but well worth the effort!
Creag an Tuirc, Balquidder - 1.5 hours, takes about i hour to walk. Start at the church where you can vist the grave of Rob Roy. Easy to walk, with lovely views over to the hills and Loch Voil.
Achray water bridge circuit - about 2 hours, about 3 miles fairly easy walking. This part of the Trossachs is surroudned by hills and woodland and the walk is particularly worthwhile in the autumn when the leaves are in colour.
Loch Ard, near Aberfoyle - takes about 2.5 hours and is about 4 miles. This is one of our favourite places to walk the dogs. An easy walk along paths, with long vews across the loch waters to the hills and beyond. Really enjoyable! You can stop in Aberfoyle afterwards for a cuppa or a drink maybe?
Loch Venachar - another of our favourite walks. Takes about 2 hours and is about 4.5 miles. The walk is a little strnuous up hill to start, but then gets easy underfoot. There are views over to Loch Venachar all the way, with some spectacular views to distant mountains half way round the circuit. Coming down you will have long vistas over Loch Venachar, and if your lucky may see sailing boats tacking up and down the loch. A great walk!
Bochastle & Falls of Leny - this walk is a treasure! It takes about 3hours and is about 4.5 miles long. It takes you through forest and then out into the open with views along the valley to Loch Voil and the hills: wide open spaces with few people around! It then goes down to the Falls of Leny and on to Kilmahog where there is a pub where you can have a well desrved drink (they have their own micro brewery, with very tastey beers) or lunch or dinner.
Kirkton Glen, Balquidder - This walk takes about 2-3 hours and is about 5/6 miles. The walk starst at the church where you can vist the grave of Rob Roy. It goes uphill and then along the valley of the glen and circles back when you have good views of the surrounding moutains and loch, coming down near the waterfalls. There's a little tea shop near the church that sells "rocky road" cake - well worth a stop for!
Loch Katrine - about 13 miles, takes about 4.5 hours. This walk takes you along the spectacualr shores of Loch Katrine. There are two ways to do it: take the steamer from the Trossachs Pier up to Stronachlachar, and walk back. Or walk up to Stronachlachar, and catch the boat back down the loch. Either way, you will be treated to a long but most enjoyable walk in accessible but very remote countryside! You can hire a bike at the Trossachs Pier if you'd rather not walk.
Highland boundary walk - this is a popualr walk with us, and the dogs have a great time on it. It takes about 2.5 hours and is about 3.5 miles. The walk starts at the David Marshall Lodge, just above Aberfoyle, and goes up hill where you have spectacular views over Aberfoyle and to the surroudning hills and forests. You come down via a steep sloping path into the oakwoods and along to a spectacualr waterfall. Up in the Lodge there's a cafe which has a great variety of cakes to tempt you.....
Ben Ledi - this walk takes about 5-6 hours and is about 6 miles long. You can see Ben Ledi from Callander (and indeed from the cottages at Dykehead, along the lane). If you want a long hike uphill, with really spectacular views of mountians for miles beyond, this is the one for you!
Ben Venue - this walk takes about 5-6 hours and is about 9 miles long. There are stunning views all the way along. A very popular walk with tourists.
Ben Lomond - this takes about 5.5 hours and is about 7.5 miles long. As you might expect, this is a very popular walk. You will be rewarded with great views of Loch Lomond and north to the Trossachs.
