Steamship Sir Walter Scott, Loch Katrine
Explore by boat
In 1810 Sir Walter Scott released his best-selling ‘Lady of the Lake’, a series of poems that put the Trossachs on the map.
To entertain visitors who flocked to Loch Katrine to see the landscapes so vividly described by Scott, an eight oared wooden galley called Water Witch was introduced. The boat, rowed visitors around Ellen’s Isle.
Cruises on Loch Katrine remain popular to the present day. Steamships replaced the wooden boats, although not before a suspected incident of sabotage. Gipsy, the first steamer sank under mysterious circumstances, a week after launch, allegedly carried out by the ferrymen.
Rob Roy and then Rob Roy II sailed on Loch Katrine until 1900, when the current steamship Sir Walter Scott was introduced. The Sir Walter Scott was built on the River Clyde in Glasgow, then dismantled in sections, and sailed up the River Leven and into Loch Lomond by barge. At Inversnaid the steamship in sections was taken by horse and cart across to Stronachlachar on Loch Katrine, where she was re-built and launched.
In June 2023, the steamer resumed sailing after an extensive restoration. Alongside Steamship Sir Walter Scott, also offering passenger cruises, are Rob Roy III, Lady of the Lake, and the smaller boat called Osprey, which gets up close to the shoreline.
More adventures
Another boat experience is the ferry journey to Inchmahome on the Lake of Menteith. This service is operated by Historic Scotland, who manage the island and the historic priory. On the journey you can often see osprey flying overhead and maybe if you’re lucky one of them swooping in to catch fish.
WATER-SPORTS on Loch Ard
Loch Ard is a sheltered expanse of water, popular for sailing, kayaking and canoeing, although parking is limited. Loch Ard has a sailing club for members, although visitors can launch boats by permission. Go Country! has an obstacle course on the loch and offers other sports and activities in the water and on land.
Sail on Loch Venachar
Loch Venachar has a popular sailing club, providing an opportunity to learn sailing with a number of courses.
Did you know?
‘Hail to the Chief’ the music that plays when the President of the United States enters a public event originates from Sir Walter Scott’s 1810 poem ‘Lady of the Lake’, which is set at Loch Katrine.