Towering Success for new Trossachs Attraction
A family visiting Scotland from France this week, took the overall visitor numbers to the stunning historic scenic tower at Loch Katrine to over 30,000. The popular Trossachs attraction, home of the Steamship Sir Walter Scott, presented the Phillipe family from the Centre-Val de Loire region of France with branded Loch Katrine gifts and souvenirs to mark this milestone, which has been achieved within its first year.
The striking three-storey tower was officially opened by VisitScotland Chair Stephen Leckie OBE on 21stAugust 2024 and features the spectacular panoramic view that helped launch Scotland’s tourism industry more than 200 years ago.
Perched above Trossachs Pier, the tower connects today’s visitors with the iconic viewpoint that inspired Sir Walter Scott’s The Lady of the Lake in 1810. The vivid landscapes described in his poem helped bring national attention to the area and made the Trossachs famous. Thoughtfully designed to blend into the natural surroundings, the tower offers sweeping views over Loch Katrine and the surrounding hills and mountains. A short, accessible path leads to the tower, allowing people of all ages to enjoy this dramatic and historic setting.
Visitors have been fascinated to learn about the site’s rich cultural significance, including how Hail to the Chief, the piece of music that has welcomed every American President, was inspired by Sir Walter Scott’s poem, as was Schubert’s Ave Maria. Interpretation panels also tell the story of clan chief and outlaw Rob Roy MacGregor, who in the 1700s was warned from this viewpoint of approaching Redcoat soldiers seeking his arrest, adding to the sense of history and intrigue.
The Scenic Tower has encouraged more UK and overseas visitors to discover the Birthplace of Scottish Tourism above Trossachs Pier and there has been a sizeable increase in the number of driver-guided tour operators from across Scotland now including Loch Katrine in their tours, helping to sustainably increase visitor numbers. Loch Katrine and the wider Trossachs area have been boosted by the return of the seasonal Trossachs Explorer bus service linking with nearby villages and attractions, providing exciting new public transport connection options across Scotland.
The recent return of Steamship Sir Walter Scott after an £850,000 restoration has brought multiple benefits, including improved accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility. At the same time, a major programme of access improvements was delivered across the pier area. This month saw another milestone of that work with the completion of a £90,000 lift modernisation project.
2025 has been a landmark year for Loch Katrine. Steamship Sir Walter Scott marked her 125th anniversary and was named ‘Flagship of the Year’ by National Historic Ships UK. The attraction is also a finalist in two prestigious VisitScotland Thistle Awards: Best Outdoor or Adventure Experience and the Inclusion Award.
James Fraser, CEO of Loch Katrine and a trustee of the Steamship Trust, said:
“We were delighted to present the family from France with souvenir gifts, and to let them know that their visit marks the milestone figure of 30,000 visitors to the famous viewpoint credited with being where Scottish tourism began back in the early 1800s. Over the first year of the scenic tower and lookouts, we have welcomed visitors from all over the world and have been delighted with their reaction to the new attraction.
Our vision has always been to celebrate the important cultural and natural heritage of this special place in an imaginative and sensitive way. From restoring the Steamship to building the Scenic Tower and enhancing accessibility across the site, we’ve focused on sustainable, appealing and practical improvements. We’re proud to demonstrate how tourism can protect and showcase special landscapes while promoting rich cultural stories and delivering unforgettable experiences responsibly.”
