Loch Lomond and The Trossachs
The incredible Loch Lomond and the surrounding hills and fields make up the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. If you are looking for idyllic views of the Scottish hills and lochs, then this National Park is the perfect place for you to visit. This area north of Glasgow straddles the border between the highlands and lowlands of Scotland, giving visitors a taste of everything the picturesque Scottish countryside has to offer.
About Loch Lomond and The Trossachs
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park was one of the first National Parks designated by the Scottish Parliament in 2002, as it is an area of outstanding natural beauty and Loch Lomond is an important site in Scottish history and culture. The area is also an important site for wildlife conservation, as it is home to some species that are unique to the area and many whose numbers are dwindling across the world. The red deer and red squirrel are protected in these parts and sightings of both are often a highlight for visitors. The park is also home to Scottish wildcats, geese, and osprey as well both Peregrine Falcons and Golden Eagles. A visit to Loch Lomond and The Trossachs will often give visitors a glimpse of these magnificent birds soaring above them as they travel through the highlands.
Though Loch Lomond is the most impressive of the Scottish Lochs on the park, it is also home to more than twenty other lochs that are home to salmon, trout, Arctic char, and lampreys. These lochs provide some amazing views and crystal-clear waters. The park also encompasses more than thirty miles of coastline, complete with coastal lochs, helping to make this park a unique and ecologically diverse area.
The History of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs
Though it was only officially designated a National Park in 2002, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs is an area that has long been treasured by the local population and the British government. Since 1945, the area has been designated a site of outstanding natural beauty and worthy of conservation and was established as a ‘National Park Direction Area’ which gave local authorities the power and responsibility to protect it from development or new construction.
Later, in 1981, it was given the designation of ‘National Scenic Area’ which put it on the path to becoming a proper National Park. It was not until after the first Scottish Parliament was convened in 1999 that it was designated a National Park, under the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000. It was then officially opened as a National Park in July of 2002.
Things to See and Do at Loch Lomond and The Trossachs
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs is the perfect place for a number of outdoor activities. Camping is popular with many visitors, and you can fish on many of the lochs and streams throughout the park too. Hiking and cycling are the best ways to explore the park and see some of its amazing wildlife along the way. You can also enjoy cruises on the Loch, and get out on the water yourself in kayaks and canoes. Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park is the perfect place for an adventure in the highlands of Scotland.
