Aberfoyle
Visit Aberfoyle in the heart of The Trosssachs and find a little bit of heaven where you can relax in beautiful surroundings in one of the more picturesque villages of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. Near the source of the river Forth, Aberfoyle is one of the natural gateways to the national park with easy access to Loch Lomond, the Trossachs and to the lochs and mountains.
Aberfoyle is situated at the Gateway to The Trossachs and Loch Lomond National Park (UK grid ref is NN 519 011). Loch Lomond is 15 miles by road, Glasgow about 25 miles and Edinburgh 50 miles. Callander, with its shops, restaurants and accommodation is 10 miles via Port of Menteith or 12 miles via the splendid Duke's Pass road over the hill.
This is is an attractive village beautifully situated at the southern end of the Duke's Pass which leads over 2 scenic miles to Callander. Access from Stirling direction is easiest via the A84 (Crianlarich) road then after Doune watch for 'Port of Menteith / Aberfoyle' sign on the left. From Glasgow direction head north on A81 for Milngavie then Aberfoyle. The Main Street offers many facilities such as pubs, restaurants, a bank, a co-operative store and a garden centre.
The Trossachs Discovery Centre which also provides tourist information is just off the Main Street and stocks maps and publications to help you make the most of a visit to Aberfoyle and its surroundings. The visitor centre is open all year.
You can enjoy some nearby activities at Castle Rednock Trekking Centre, Go Ape and The Lodge.
History in Aberfoyle
Aberfoyle is associated with many famous historic characters such as Rob Roy, the Rev Robert Kirk and Mary, Queen of Scots. Robert Roy MacGregor was born at the head of nearby Loch Katrine at Glengyle House, and his well known cattle stealing exploits took him all around the area surrounding Aberfoyle and to Balquhidder Glen and Glendochart. There currently stands a tree in the village that MacGregor reputedly climbed to escape the clutches of the law. Mary, Queen of Scots, was kept at Inchmahome Priory as a child in order to avoid the politacal turmoil which was rife in the 16th century. She also used the priory during her short reign, particularly in 1547, where she felt safe from the clutches of her cousin Elizabeth.
The most famous local figure is the Reverend Robert Kirk , born in 1644. It was he who provided the first Gaelic translation of the Book of Psalms. Robert Kirk is better remembered for the publication of his book "The Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns, and Fairies" in 1691. Kirk had long been researching fairies, and the book relates stories of folk who claimed to have encountered them. It was after this, while Kirk was minister of Aberfoyle parish that he was found dead on Doon Hill near the old parish church where a tombstone bears his name - although some say it does not mark his true resting place as his soul is reputed to be imprisoned by the faeries in an ancient tree on Doon Hill as punishment for revealing their secrets!
Aberfoyle is situated at the Gateway to The Trossachs and Loch Lomond National Park (UK grid ref is NN 519 011). Loch Lomond is 15 miles by road, Glasgow about 25 miles and Edinburgh 50 miles. Callander, with its shops, restaurants and accommodation is 10 miles via Port of Menteith or 12 miles via the splendid Duke's Pass road over the hill.
This is is an attractive village beautifully situated at the southern end of the Duke's Pass which leads over 2 scenic miles to Callander. Access from Stirling direction is easiest via the A84 (Crianlarich) road then after Doune watch for 'Port of Menteith / Aberfoyle' sign on the left. From Glasgow direction head north on A81 for Milngavie then Aberfoyle. The Main Street offers many facilities such as pubs, restaurants, a bank, a co-operative store and a garden centre.
The Trossachs Discovery Centre which also provides tourist information is just off the Main Street and stocks maps and publications to help you make the most of a visit to Aberfoyle and its surroundings. The visitor centre is open all year.
You can enjoy some nearby activities at Castle Rednock Trekking Centre, Go Ape and The Lodge.
History in Aberfoyle
Aberfoyle is associated with many famous historic characters such as Rob Roy, the Rev Robert Kirk and Mary, Queen of Scots. Robert Roy MacGregor was born at the head of nearby Loch Katrine at Glengyle House, and his well known cattle stealing exploits took him all around the area surrounding Aberfoyle and to Balquhidder Glen and Glendochart. There currently stands a tree in the village that MacGregor reputedly climbed to escape the clutches of the law. Mary, Queen of Scots, was kept at Inchmahome Priory as a child in order to avoid the politacal turmoil which was rife in the 16th century. She also used the priory during her short reign, particularly in 1547, where she felt safe from the clutches of her cousin Elizabeth.
The most famous local figure is the Reverend Robert Kirk , born in 1644. It was he who provided the first Gaelic translation of the Book of Psalms. Robert Kirk is better remembered for the publication of his book "The Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns, and Fairies" in 1691. Kirk had long been researching fairies, and the book relates stories of folk who claimed to have encountered them. It was after this, while Kirk was minister of Aberfoyle parish that he was found dead on Doon Hill near the old parish church where a tombstone bears his name - although some say it does not mark his true resting place as his soul is reputed to be imprisoned by the faeries in an ancient tree on Doon Hill as punishment for revealing their secrets!