Trossachs Pier, Loch Katrine,
By Callander, Stirling FK17 8HZ. Scotland, United Kingdom
Tel: 00 44 (0)1877 332000
News
Where’s Gracie gone?
Loch Katrine’s highland cow comes to the rescue of Scottish display at the RHS Tatton Park Show
A highland cow which is normally found at the centre of the display at Trossachs Pier, setting the scene for passengers embarking on cruises on Loch Katrine, is on its way this week to the Royal Horticultural Society’s prestigious Tatton Park Show.
Taking the bull by the horns... Martin (Boat Master), Pablo (Engineer), and Tom (Crew Member) from the Steamship Sir Walter Scott get to grips with the task of getting Gracie ready for her journey to Tatton Park.
Battle of the Cattle
Instead of giving visitors to Loch Katrine an insight into the days when characters such as Rob Roy MacGregor were to the fore, and when cattle rustling was commonplace in The Trossachs, ‘Gracie’ the highland cow will be the centrepiece of a floral display being created by community group ‘Bucksburn in Bloom’ to represent Aberdeen and Scotland in the RHS/Ball Colegrave National Flower Bed Competition. Gracie will be surrounded by some 5,500 plants which will go to create the display, the only Scottish entry in the show, and the second for the Bucksburn in Bloom group, who received a Certificate of Merit for their display in 2009.
Gracie won’t be the only cow with a place among the flowers at the Tatton Park Show – as she will be competing for the judge’s attention with life-size effigies of prize cattle from The Channel Islands which will be featured in a display from the Parish of St Helier in Jersey, celebrating the opening of a state-of-the-art dairy.
“We were really pleased that Gracie was able to come to the rescue of the Bucksburn in Bloom group, and become part of their display”, said David Wyles from The Steamship Sir Walter Scott at Loch Katrine. “When we heard that the cow which they had planned to take to the show was no longer available, we knew that Gracie would fit the bill perfectly. We’ve made sure she’s ready for her journey to Cheshire, and to enjoy her holiday! We’re also very pleased that the 90,000 visitors expected at the show with a memorable introduction to some of Scotland’s highlights, including of course the beautiful Trossachs area”.
Taking place at Knutsford, in Cheshire, from 21st to 25th July, the RHS Tatton Park Show (featuring Loch Katrine’s very own Gracie) is a colourful spectacle at the height of summer, renowned for its friendly atmosphere and vibrant displays. The star of the show will be back at her usual place at Trossachs Pier from 28th July.
Murder on the steamship... Sir Walter Scott hosts a sleepover with a difference!
With its many attributes and features, Loch Katrine is a popular attraction for groups and parties of all kinds, whose interests range from steam boats to weekend hill-walking, and who are all attracted by the scenic beauty and charms of The Trossachs.
Congratulations! Members of Muckhart and Kincardine Guides get set to go for a sail on the Sir Walter Scott.
Earlier this year however – a very different group made their way to Loch Katrine, for a rather special centenary adventure! The group comprised members of Muckhart and Kincardine Guides, who chose to make an overnight stop at Loch Katrine for the Adventure element of their Baden Powell Challenge, not camping out in the countryside however, but sleeping on board the steamship Sir Walter Scott.
The adventure started when the group arrived for a safety briefing from Operations Director Gordon Allan, before tackling their first challenge: sorting out sleeping accommodation on the 110-year old steamship itself, well used to hosting visitors on sightseeing cruises, but definitely not set up to offer the most comfortable overnight accommodation.
Organising the sleeping arrangements was just the first task the party faced – and during their time at Loch Katrine the Guides had to tackle a range of challenges, culminating in a pedal tractor race, and even a murder mystery game back on board the steamship.
Breakfast and the presentation of certificates brought the visit to an end for the Guides (or so they thought!). As the Sir Walter Scott resumed its traditional role, welcoming visitors onboard for another cruise in this most beautiful area, the girls were invited to stay aboard for the morning sailing to Stronachlachar. This was the icing on the cake for the Guides, who thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience.
Loch Katrine Ready to Welcome Visitors to "Scottsland"
200 years since the tranquil beauty of Loch Katrine captivated the writer Sir Walter Scott, inspiring him to pen the lines of his classic poem ‘Lady of the Lake’, the famous steamship which carries his name has returned to service for its 110th season, ready to play its role in marking the anniversary of the first publication of the famous poem, on 8th May 1810.
It was just a year earlier, in 1809, as Sir Walter Scott was enjoying a holiday in The Trossachs with his wife Charlotte and his daughter Sofia, that he chose the shores and islands of Loch Katrine to provide the setting for the poem which would tell of the dramatic struggle between King James V and the powerful Clan Douglas.
With the publication of ‘Lady of the Lake’ Sir Walter Scott’s fame as a writer and his popularity as a poet reached new heights, and the sale of 25,000 copies in just eight months set a record for the sale of poetry. As the fame of the poem spread, travellers flocked to Loch Katrine, wanting to see for themselves landmarks such as ‘Ellen’s Isle’, and when a new steamship entered service in 1900 to cater for the ever-increasing number of visitors, its launch as ‘The Sir Walter Scott’ acknowledged the author’s achievements in putting this beautiful part of Scotland on the international tourist map.
2010 at Loch Katrine - a special year and a special place
200 years since the publication of ‘Lady of the Lake’, Loch Katrine, surrounded by the magnificent landscapes of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, is still a popular destination for travellers, and visitors arriving at the loch in 2010 will be able to mark the anniversary with a programme of sailings and events, including a special ‘Scottsland’ cruise.
The ‘Scottsland’ cruise will depart regularly throughout the summer season, and on Saturdays and Sundays in September 2010 a costumed actor will play the role of Sir Walter Scott himself, welcoming visitors, reciting his poetry, and perhaps even sharing some of the stories about his own visit to Loch Katrine.
A New Look for Katrine Café
Always a favourite port of call for visitors to Loch Katrine - Katrine Café has re-opened for the 2010 season with a new look, and a new menu.
Managing The Katrine Café - and providing a warm welcome for everyone who comes to Loch Katrine - are Nikki and Andrea D’Ambrosio of Thistle Catering, who also operate The Bluebell Café in Aberfoyle, and who are looking forward to meeting old and new friends at The Katrine Café.
The Katrine Café is open from 9.30am until 5.30pm every day from 1st April until 31st October, serving breakfast (until 11.30am each day), lunchtime specials (from11.30am until 3.30pm), and a range of snacks, home-baked treats, sandwiches and hot and cold drinks throughout the day.
Stirling’s Provost, Councillor Fergus Wood, was one of the first customers in The Katrine Café on 1st April, when he officially opened the restaurant, and wished Nikki and Andrea ‘all the best’ for their latest venture.
The perfect gift!
Are you looking for a great way to say ‘Congratulations!’ - ‘Happy Birthday’ - or even just ‘Thank You!’? Then a Loch Katrine Gift Voucher is the ideal solution.
Available from £10 upwards, they can be used for all Loch Katrine sailings and cycle hire from Katrinewheelz, and in The Anchor’s Rest Bistro & Bar, and in Katrine Gifts.
They’re available now from The Information Office at Loch Katrine - and also by calling (01877) 332000. Now you can give someone the gift of a wonderful day out at Loch Katrine!
All aboard The Sir Walter Scott
All aboard The Sir Walter Scott as the steamship officially set sail on Loch Katrine after a three year restoration project. The 110 year old vessel is a firm favourite amongst visitors to the Trossachs and will now serve tourists for generations to come. Watch the report from STV's Scotland Today.
Refurbished steamship features on BBC Scotland show, ‘Landward’
The refurbishment of the steamship Sir Walter Scott was recently aired on the BBC Scotland show, Landward. The report by Nick Nairn can seen by clicking here. The Scotland Outdoors section of the BBC website also has an audio clip that can be heard here, and an image gallery that can be viewed by clicking here.
The Loch Katrine Story
A new Souvenir Guide Book, telling the story of Loch Katrine and the veteran steamship Sir Walter Scott has just been published. Written by the renowned transport historian Michael Pearson, the full-colour booklet is filled with spectacular images which capture the beauty of Loch Katrine, and the atmosphere of a journey on the famous ship.
It is available for purchase from Katrine Gifts at Trossachs Pier for £3.25, or at the specially reduced price of £2.95 when purchased in conjunction with your cruise tickets. For further information, call (01877) 332000.
Once upon a time...
…life around the shores of Loch Katrine wasn’t just as peaceful as it is today! Perhaps fact and fiction have become mixed up as the tales of the famous highlander Rob Roy MacGregor have been told and re-told, but one fact which is never disputed is his bravery and his love of the countryside and its people.
You can get a glimpse of what life was like in Rob Roy’s day with new displays which have been installed at Trossachs Pier - an ideal introduction which sets the scene for a cruise on Loch Katrine.
