Getting to Inversnaid

There are a few scenic ways to get to Inversnaid on the eastern shores of Loch Lomond. Walking north on the West Highland Way, arriving after walking the challenging but stunning section from Rowardennan before continuing on towards Inverarnan. Another of Scotland's Great Trails, The Great Trossachs Path, starts or ends at Inversnaid. Visitors by boat will get good views of the impressive Inversnaid Hotel, together with the beautiful Arklet Falls. Finally, the B829 connects with Aberfoyle along a winding and incredibly scenic road.

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Rob Roy MacGregor

The outlaw Rob Roy MacGregor was born a few miles away at Glengyle on Loch Katrine in 1671. Rob Roy roamed this area, extracting money for the safekeeping of cattle. This activity is where the term 'Blackmail' comes from, with Rob Roy looking after black cattle in return for 'mail', old Scots language for rent.

Rob Roy's Cave

Legend has it that Rob Roy hid in a cave just north of Invernsaid. If you're walking the West Highland Way path, you will know that you have reached the cave just before you see the sign as you will be scrambling over large boulders. Although there isn't much to see from the path, the best view is from the water. Some of Cruise Loch Lomond's trips pass by the cave, which CAVE now identifies painted in large white letters on the rocks.

Inversnaid Nature Reserve

One of the two RSPB reserves in Loch Lomond is at Invernsaid (the other is at Gartocharn), located within ancient woodlands. The reserve is just over 800 hectares of ground directly north of Inversnaid village. Around three miles of the West Highland Way pass through the reserve, and it stretches from the lochside up to the summit of Beinn a' Choin (770m). The reserve is a mixture of woodland and upland habitat and is home to black grouse and a diverse suite of woodland species.

Inversnaid reserve has been going through quite a transformation in the past ten years. Over 100ha has been planted with native woodland, with areas of natural regeneration eventually expected to make up roughly the same area again. This woodland will link up with other existing and establishing woodlands to create continuous wooded areas across the Great Trossachs Forest, an area of some 16,000 hectares of a partnership between RSPB, Forestry and Land Scotland and the Woodland Trust.

There is parking for the reserve at Garrison Car Park, also in the Inversnaid Hotel car park.

There are butterflies in the woodland glades; look out too for ospreys and golden eagles; this is one of our favourite locations to see bluebells during May.

Take the Woodland Trail for a stunning view across Loch Lomond; just walk north from the hotel along the West Highland Path; after about 550 yards, you will see the sign for the RSPB trail. Climb the path set into the hillside for an excellent view from the summit clearing.

From Garrison Car Park, take a walk for around an hour to see farming ruins from Rob Roy's time (note the path can be muddy in places.)

RSPB Cruise

One of the best visitor experiences is the RSPB Cruise, operated by Cruise Loch Lomond, a guided reserve tour by an RSPB warden; It was part of a return cruise between Tarbet and Inversnaid. Unfortunately, this isn't running at the time of writing due to changes after Covid-19, but you can read about it here. Speaking to Cruise Loch Lomond, they hope to bring the cruise back in the future.

Inversnaid Hotel

Inversnaid Hotel was built as a hunting lodge for the Duke of Montrose in 1790, its most famous guest is Queen Victoria, who stayed during a visit to the Trossachs. The hotel is mainly for coach tour package guests; however, the hotel is walker friendly and an excellent place to call in for something to eat when passing through on the West Highland Way. Inversnaid also has a bunkhouse, ideal for West Highland Way walkers.

Arklet Falls, Inversnaid

The dramatic and pretty waterfalls are to the right of the hotel when looking from Loch Lomond. In fact, by boat, you get a good view of the falls. On land, you can get up close to them thanks to a pathway and bridge.

It's worth taking the time to get to Inversnaid by foot, boat or car. However, if you aren't walking all the West Highland Way, consider walking north or south for a few miles to experience one of the most scenic sections of the 96-mile trail.

Trossachs Tour

Inversnaid also connects Loch Lomond with the Trossachs; in fact, the classic Trossachs Tour connected steamers on Loch Lomond with Loch Katrine, using horse-drawn carriages to cover the 4 miles between Inversnaid and Stronachlachar on Loch Katrine. In addition, cruise Loch Lomond and the Sir Walter Scott Steamship Co. offer a combined ticket for sailings on their cruise boats with cycling or walking in between.

Thanks for reading

Words and photography by Paul Saunders. Visit Paul’s Marketing and Photography websites for details of his services in Scotland.

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