Trossachs Explorer Bus Service

2025 Trossachs Explorer Bus Service Information

I’m thrilled the Trossachs Explorer bus is back for summer 2025, and even more pleased that it now includes my village of Drymen on the route. Well done to Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park for reviving this valuable service and making it even more accessible to visitors and locals.

Whether you’re heading for a lochside cruise, a forest adventure, or want to enjoy one of Scotland’s most scenic bus journeys, the Trossachs Explorer is a fantastic option. Here’s everything you need to know to plan your day out, including some itineraries and how to connect with the bus if coming from or via Glasgow and Stirling.

What Can You Experience with the Trossachs Explorer?

This seasonal service opens up a wide range of outdoor experiences, including:

• Cruising on the Steamship Sir Walter Scott at Loch Katrine in her 125th anniversary year

• Exploring forest trails and wildlife in The Great Trossachs Forest

• Walking or cycling the scenic paths around Loch Katrine (combined with a cruise)

• Climbing Ben A’an or Ben Venue

• Treetop fun and zip wire at Go Ape! Aberfoyle

• Visiting The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre

• Enjoying charming villages/towns like Brig o’ Turk, Drymen, Aberfoyle and Callander

• Linking easily to trains and buses from Glasgow, Balloch and Stirling

It’s ideal for anyone planning a car-free day in the National Park, with flexible timings and affordable fares.

A Scenic Journey Through the Heart of the Trossachs

Even before you reach your destination, the bus journey itself is a highlight. After leaving Drymen or Aberfoyle, the route climbs over the spectacular Duke’s Pass, one of Scotland’s most iconic short drives.

The views open out across glens, lochs, and thick woodland, with every turn offering another picture-postcard moment. You’ll travel past deep lochside forests, high viewpoints, and the wild beauty of The Great Trossachs Forest National Nature Reserve. Red squirrels, ospreys, and even deer are sometimes spotted along the way.

This is more than just a connection from A to B – the journey is part of the experience.

Visit Loch Katrine by the Trossachs Explorer Bus Service

The service operates daily from July 7 to October 5, 2025. It connects amazing locations in the Trossachs, such as Loch Katrine with Drymen, Aberfoyle, The Lodge, Ben Venue, Ben A’an, Brig o’ Turk, Kilmahog, and Callander. It links with other transport services from Glasgow, Balloch and Stirling, and is timed to coordinate with cruise departures on Loch Katrine.

Whether you want to relax by the water, take a walk or hop aboard the historic Steamship, this bus helps you get there without the need for a car.

New for 2025: Drymen Stop

The addition of Drymen to the route makes this service even more useful. With regular buses to Balloch and Balmaha, and easy access to local walks and visitor facilities, Drymen acts as a gateway to both Loch Lomond and the wider Trossachs.

Drymen is an excellent destination in itself, a beautiful village that hosts Piping on the Square on Thursday nights in July and August, and provides an onward connection to Balmaha and Gartocharn (for the RSPB Loch Lomond reserve).

Accessibility and Vehicle Info

The Trossachs Explorer is served by two low-emission minibuses, each accommodating 18 seated passengers and 9 standing passengers. The buses are fully accessible for wheelchair users and are designed to make the journey as smooth and comfortable as possible.

Timetables

You can catch the service up to seven times a day, with timetables (download below) available for both directions. That gives you plenty of flexibility, whether you’re planning a full day out or a shorter adventure.

Trossachas Explorer Ticket Prices

• Adult day ticket: £6

• Child fare: £3.50

• Student fare: £5.65

• Group or family day ticket (up to five people): £16

• Seven-journey saver ticket: £25

Anyone with a National Entitlement Card (under-22s or over-60s) travels for free.

For wider travel on McColls services, including routes 207, 305, 306, 309 and TEX, there’s an all-day ticket for £9.50 (adults), £5 (children), and £8 (students).

Getting to Loch Katrine from Glasgow via Balloch and Drymen

• Train from Glasgow Queen Street at 07.13, arriving Balloch at 08.02

• Walk to Balloch Bus Stance (behind the Co-Op)

• Catch the 309 bus at 08.29 to Drymen Square, arriving 08.42

• Pick up the Trossachs Explorer from Drymen at 08.45, arriving Trossachs Pier at 09.30

• Plenty of time to catch the 10.30 Steamship Sir Walter Scott cruise or hire a bike from Katrine Wheelz

Return journey:

• Depart Loch Katrine at 15.40, arrive Drymen 16.30

• Transfer to the 309 bus at 16.38, reaching Balloch at 16.51

• Train to Glasgow Queen Street departs Balloch at 17.08, arriving 17.56

Getting to Loch Katrine from Stirling via Callander

• Take the 59 bus from Stirling Bus Station at 08.00, arriving in Callander at 08.49

• Board the Trossachs Explorer at Station Road, Callander at 09.00, arriving at Loch Katrine at 09.30

• Relax, explore or board the 10.30 sailing of the Steamship Sir Walter Scott.

Return journey:

• Depart Loch Katrine at 15.50, arrive Callander at 16.15

• Take the 59 bus from Callander at 17.05, arriving back in Stirling at 17.56

The Trossachs Explorer is more than just a bus – it’s a brilliant way to see the best of the National Park without driving. From lochs and forests to tree-top adventures and boat cruises, you’ll find something for everyone along the way.

I’ll be using it myself this summer, and I hope it encourages even more people to explore the Trossachs the easy way. Look out for photographs and updated on this page throughout the summer

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Thanks for reading

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

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