Stuff To Do

It’s easy to get comfy and relaxed in our contemporary luxury lodges in Scotland, but there’s tonnes to do in the surrounding area. Whether you fancy an easy wander through the local woods to check out the highland cows, a SUP or swim in the loch, a hike up a local munro to see the views over the Scottish mountains and glens, or an adrenaline filled mountain bike ride down a rocky, rooty trail, we have it all.

Whatever activities you choose, wildlife is abundant and you’re pretty likely to see deer, sheep, highland cows, goats, red squirrels and ospreys as well as our lovely little local birds. Listen to the geese across the loch who like a good natter before they go to sleep. Then watch the bats swirl though the sky when the sun sets, as you listen to the twit tawoo of the local owls. Without the lights of the city, you can see all the stars on a clear night.

Whatever you do, you’ll be guaranteed that the memories you make will last a lifetime. We provide the best backdrop in which to relax, unwind and leave all your stresses behind. We have arguably the best adventure playground on our doorstep and are ideally located for a quick shopping fix or a treat in an amazing restaurant only a short distance away.

be active

Cycling – there’s loads of bike / bike hire shops nearby: Wheels, Katrine Wheelz, Roll Outdoors or Aberfoyle Bike Hire - so there’s no excuse!

For trail / gravel riders, the Gravelfoyle trails provide the best gravel riding in the UK (fact), with over 200 miles of single and wide tracked gravel tracks. Stick to the waymarked trails or head further afield to Ben Lomond or on a wee bike packing overnight adventure. We’re just along from the famous Route 7, part of the National Cycle Network, which takes in some of the most breathtaking scenery in the UK – our stretch passes through Aberfoyle and Callander up to Strathyre and over to Killin.

Around Loch Katrine via the Dukes Pass offers unrivalled road riding routes. Stop off at The Pier Cafe at Stochlachar for tea and a scone.

For mountain bikers, the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park in Aberfoyle has some of the trickiest and steepest off piste trails ready to test your skills. You might catch Danny MacAskill there if you’re lucky…! Just up the road is Balquhidder with an amazing network of locally built trails and our nearby mountains offer some big day epic riding.

If you’ve built up an appetite after all the riding, head over to our favourite bar/restaurant Mhor84 for lunch and a beer.

Fishing – Fishing is permitted on-site – no licence required. Loch Venachar is regularly stocked with pike and brown trout. Our local ghillie can help with all your fishing needs.

Golf – this area is ideal for golfing with several local courses close by such as the scenic Callander Golf Club. The famous Gleneagles course only 40 minutes drive. 

Sports Centre - the McLaren Leisure Centre in Callander has a swimming pool with sauna, gym and a range of exercise classes.

Outdoor Adventure - head over to Loch Ard to Go Country or the Adventure Centre for a range of activities for all ages, from cliff jumping, canoeing, bushcraft and gorge walking.
Action Adventure in Gartmore can offer you archery, 4X4 experiences, quad biking, canyoning, and a host of other activities.
Home to two of the longest zips in the UK, Go Ape at Aberfolye will have you flying over trees and waterfalls and tackling the high-rise challenges.

Driving - the Dukes Pass winds it way through scenic lochs and mountains from Kilmahog to Aberfolyle and is regarded as one of Britain's best drives (best enjoyed on a GS1250, a Porsche 911 or a restored classic car..). Or alternatively take the Three Lochs Forest Drive, just 10 minutes away from us.

go explore

Towns – Callander, with a mix of shops, coffee shops, restaurants and bars, is only 5 minutes’ drive and ideal for grabbing supplies. Meander round the shops and pop into Ben Ledi Coffee Company to deliberate which flavour of brownie to devour. Pick up a sourdough and a pie from Mhor Bread. We like the Atrium Cafe or DeliEcosse for lunch.

Aberfoyle is about 20 minutes drive along the stunning windy Duke’s Pass – you’ll find a fantastic butchers, some pretty good cafes and their famous ice cream shop with a multitude of flavours...

Visit the beautiful Mhor in Store at Balquidder and pick up some hand made pottery Whimsy In The Wild or book a pottery experience near Aberfoyle.

Cities - Stirling is the nearest for high street shops, cinemas etc. Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth are just an hour away and offer an excellent range of shops, restaurants and cafes, museums, art galleries and visitor attractions.

Check out Edinburgh’s stunning new St James shopping centre next to Harvey Nichols, wander down the picaresque High Street to Edinburgh Castle. Or enjoy Glasgow’s culture at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and Gallery of Modern Art before heading to Finniston, the hip foodie hub of gourmet sandwich shops, artisanal coffee bars and trendy organic restaurants specializing in Scottish meat and seafood.

Local attractions – book a ride on the paddle steamer SS Walter Scott, climb up to Samson's Putting Stone and visit Rob Roy’s grave.

Grab an ale by a roaring fire on your way home at The Lade Inn – you may catch a singalong of Scottish songs at one of their ceilidhs.

Festivals
Callander Jazz and Blues Festival in the Autumn is the largest rural Jazz & Blues festival in Scotland, whilst Callander Summerfest is two weeks of arts, cultural and sporting activities in July. Also in July is the fabulous Doune the Rabbit Hole with an amazing line up of bands in a relaxed setting at Lake of Menteith.

Historical sites  
Doune Castle dates back to the medieval era (spot the castle scenes filmed there in Monty Python and the Holy Grail) whilst Stirling Castle is one of the grandest and overlooks a number of Scotland's important battlefields.
Stop off at Smiddey’s Farm Shop & Cafe on your way home.
Visit the grave of our our most notorious bandit, Rob Roy McGregor in Balquidder or head to the Loch Katrine and see why Sir Walter Scott was inspired to write his ‘Lady of the Lake’ poem here.

Whisky
You can’t visit Scotland without enjoying our local tipple. Book a tour and tasting at Deanston Distillery or Glengoyne Distillery. Or nip into the Callander Drinks Company or McMillan Wine for a bottle or two in Callander. Then swing by Scott’s Bistro for some delicious Scottish food.

Kids
When they’re not beachcombing or toasting marshmallows by the fire, the kids can enjoy local activities such as the playpark or crazy golf course in Callander.

Pop over to see our local adorable highland cows Hamish and Honey at the Trossach’s Woollen Mill at Kilmahog. The Hamilton Toy Museum & Collectors Shop in Callander is one of the largest privately owned toy collections in the UK.

Home to two of the longest zips in the UK, the treetop adventures and zipwire at Go Ape near Aberfoyle will keep everyone entertained. As wo;; the waterpark assault course at Go Country Adventure at Loch Ard and Action Adventure in Gartmore for activities such as archery, 4X4 experiences, quad biking, canyoning.

The Glen Finglas Play Trail is a fun nearby walk for kids, as is Little Drum Wood Natural Play and Sculpture Trail.

The Queen Elizabeth Forest Visitor Centre has easy walking trails with sculptures, a red squirrel hide and live wildlife camera feeds.

Pony trekking and segway trekking can be found at Castle Rednock Trekking Centre.

Perfect places for a family day out include Blair Drummond Safari Park which has over 300 animals, many of which are part of breeding programmes to increase wild species numbers, including rhino and macaques.
Briarlands Farm with its cute farm animals and summer strawberry picking is also an winning choice.