Aberfoyle Gateway to the Trossachs - Lomond Park East

 
Aberfoyle -Lomond and Trossachs National Park (East) - ( South  - West  - North)
This small but important village lies in one of Europe's most beautiful locations at the southern edge of the West Highland Fault, and lying inside the Lomond & Trossachs National Park, with Loch Ard , Loch Chon, Loch Arklet and Loch Lomond all lying to the West, Loch Katrine, Loch Achray and Loch Venacher to the North and the Lake of Menteith, Scotland's only "lake" lying to the East. The village is without doubt the most important gateway to the Trossachs and has something for everyone, including those people who love old mysteries.

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The village has become quite famous for its festivals. Recently there have been two per year. The Spring festival is  T4 Great Outdoor Festival (T4 being Tramping Through The Trossachs). The Autumn food festival is the now famous Mushroom Festival, an extravaganza of food dishes and entertainment.

When in Aberfoyle area why not see the Quack Commandos in action. A delight for adults and children alike.  Ducks and dogs together has to be seen to be believed. Also visit the Fame academy for dogs in the Scottish Woollen Mill. Ideal venue for inclement weather.
 

Photographs Courtesy of Photographscotland.com

Strathard includes the village of Kinlochard and the hamlets of Stronachlacher and Inversnaid. This is a an area of utterly astounding scenery in an area of outstanding scenery. Even in inclement weather most visitors use various superlatives to describe what they have seen

The District around the village is steeped in History. There are many Characters in Scottish History who have had an awful lot written about them but few as famous as those names below are quite as fascinating. William Wallace, Rob Roy Macgregor, and Mary Queen of Scots all had a part to play in the History of the area.

Enjoy outdoor pursuits - walking, watersports, golf, fishing, wildlife watching, history and genealogy, myths and legends and much more

Holiday Cottages who welcome Outdoor People uniquely placed for the
East and the South of the park, Oldhall Cottages

The Reverend Kirk

Robert Kirk, 7th son of the minister of Aberfoyle was born in 1644AD. He had a fascination and belief in the magical world of Fairies. Robert also became a minister and after preaching at Balquhidder he came to the Aberfoyle ministry. He should have been remembered as the person who provided the first translation to Gaelic of the book of Psalms, however it was the publication of his book "The Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns, and Fairies" in 1861 which was to fire the imagination of historians as the Reverend Robert Kirk disappeared in mysterious circumstances.

Legend (the pen and ink of historians) has it that the inhabitants of the Secret Commonwealth, namely Fairies and the like were furious at the Reverend for disclosing all their secrets and they planned revenge. Daily Robert Kirk would walk from the manse to Doon Hill, one day in May 1692 he did not return. Legend tells us that at Doon hill the Fairies appeared and took him to the underground world of the Fairies. The pine tree that still exists at the summit of Doon Hill, the only evergreen on this forested hill is said to contain his imprisoned spirit.

Another part of the legend states that somehow the Reverends wife was given one chance to retrieve her husband from the Fairy kingdom. She was told that he would appear to her once during a service at the Old Kirk. When this happened she was to throw a knife at him. In the event she could not bring herself to throw the knife and so lost her husband forever.

From the village take a walk up manse road, take the left fork after about 1/2 mile. This leads onto forest track. Watch for the signs for Fairy Hill after about 1/4 mile. At the top of the hill in amongst the trees you can see prayer ribbons that people still leave. This is a nice family amble that would not tire any but the infirm.