Aberfoyle and Accommodation in Aberfoyle| Hotels Cottages B&B (original) (raw)

Aberfoyle location in Scotland locationAberfoyle - where is it?

Aberfoyle...situated at the Gateway to The Trossachs and Loch Lomond National Park.

There are many good bed and breakfast places in Aberfoyle , a good selection of self catering holiday cottages and some hotels nearby.

Aberfoyle ... is is an attractive village in the Trossachs and is often described as a gateway to the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. The village is beautifully situated at the southern end of the Duke's Pass which leads over the 14 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.

Holiday accommodation in Aberfoyle can provide a good base for a holiday in The Trossachs. The Forestry Commission have a campsite at Cobleland to the south of Aberfoyle - this may be accessed on foot via the footpath on an old railway trackbed. A few miles further there is another campsite at Trossachs Holiday Park which caters for tourers and which also has holiday caravans for hire. Other A ccommodation is listed lower in this page

The nearest larger town is Callander with a large selection of shops, restaurants and holiday accommodations, both hotels, bed and breakfast and self catering. In and around Aberfoyle, B&B and self-catering also plentiful. Two campsites can be found at the east end of Callander.

**Aberfoyle with the Queen Elizabeth forest park behind**The village of Aberfoyle lies among some magnificent highland scenery and is convenient for access to some of the more remote beauty spots between Aberfoyle and Inversnaid / Stronachlachar. It was once near the heart of the slate quarrying industry, was the 3rd most important slate quarry in Scotland and had its own railway branch line - now long closed. Near an old limestone quarry in the Queen Elizabeth Forest park centre is the interesting remains of the 'Incline' which was a form of light railway employing gravity to take the slate down to the road.

The Trossachs Discovery Centre which also provides tourist information is just off the Main Street and stocks a variety of maps and publications to help you make the most of a visit to Aberfoyle and its surroundings. The visitor centre is open all year

Shopping in Aberfoyle

There are a number of shops and cafes in the town which will provide the essentials for holidaymaker. The inevitable 'woollen mill' is also to be found in the main shopping street along with a variety of souvenir & craft shops. Don't miss The Old Curiosity Shop, Main Street, Aberfoyle. Tel: 01786 822247 and the Scottish Woollens Centre in Aberfoyle. Shops and services in and around Aberfoyle can be found HERE

Things to see and do in Aberfoyle

Aberfoyle Scottish Wool Centre

Of interest to both adults and children is the 'Scottish Wool Centre' with its exhibition of the history of the Scottish wool industry. Children will be fascinated by the friendly farm animals and playground outside the centre.
During the summer months there are occasional demonstrations of the skill of the shepherd with his sheepdogs - sometimes herding geese instead of the more usual sheep. On occasion you will find a collection of exotic owls on display with an opportunity for photographs.

Aberfoyle old parish church

Scotland, Aberfoyle old church and mortsafesA little way from Aberfoyle village centre is the old parish church, now roofless but well maintained. The churchyard contains two 'Morte Gardes', a relic from the days when even the dead could not rely on peace due to the activities of the 'resurrectionists', or body snatchers. At the north-east corner of the churchyard is the grave of the Rev. Robert Kirk who was supposedly spirited away whilst walking on Doon hill by the village. A few hundred yards beyond the old church you can find access to the walk to Doon hill where you can see the old pine tree where the Rev Kirk was supposedly imprisoned by the 'Faeries'. This walk is pleasant and not very energetic.

Forest Drives

Many of the forest tracks near loch Loch Achray are opened to motor cars during the visitor season - for a small charge!

Queen Elizabeth Forest Park Visitor Centre, Aberfoyle, ScotlandWalks, cycling and fishing

Just a couple of miles west of Aberfoyle on the road to Stronachlacher is little Loch Ard which offers spectacular views to Ben Lomond. Further up the road is the watersports centre where one can try a wide variety of watersports including canoeing and fishing. Car Parks at Milton provide access to a variety of walks and woodland cycletracks on the west side of Loch Ard.
Cycle Routes: The Loch Ard forest between Aberfoyle and Kinlochard provides a multitude of Trossachs cycle routes for all abilities.

The Queen Elizabeth Forest Park visitor centre (The David Marshall Centre)

This is about a mile up the Callander road. It lies near the Highland boundary fault and a pleasant walk follows the line of the fault where interesting rock formations are evident. A booklet available from the Forest Park Centre make the walk more interesting.

Queen Elizabeth Forest Park

The Queen Elizabeth Forest Park is a wonderland of woods and forests with a network of forest tracks and roads providing access to lots of idyllic lochs and shady glades.
Many more 'waymarked' woodland walks commence at the centre where a 'walks guide' booklet is available

Go-Ape Experience

Try the 'Go-Ape' experience' - adventure high in the trees in fantastic scenic surroundings. Zip Wire Heaven. Stunning scenery of the surrounding Queen Elizabeth Forest Park gives the course a jaw-dropping backdrop and makes for a great day out. The course's main attraction is two of Britain's longest zip wires, each stretching over 400m long, flying customers 150 feet above the ground and over a 90 foot waterfall. A mecca for Go Ape pilgrims, thrill seekers, adventure lovers & those that just want to get out and have some fun.

Other useful information about Aberfoyle

aberfoyle-the jetty on loch Ard The famous jetty at Loch Ard