It is regarded as the historic birthplace of Scottish tourism, with its views popularised by famous writers and poets in the late 1700s and early 1800s.
Now the celebrated vistas of Loch Katrine, in the heart of The Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, have been further enhanced with the installation of a “stunning” three-storey scenic tower and lookouts.
On Wednesday, Stephen Leckie, Chair of VisitScotland, was joined by representatives from local communities and agencies who supported the project to officially open the tower.
The event celebrated the enormous historical and cultural significance of the tower's site above the Trossachs Pier headland and the work that has gone into creating an experience which provides visitors the opportunity to enjoy the views that inspired leading Victorian artists and poets such as the Wordsworths, Keats and Sir Walter Scott, whose works triggered a boom in Scottish tourism and the growth of nearby Callander and Aberfoyle to cope with the large influx of early tourists.
The Steamship Sir Walter Scott Trust, which is responsible for preserving Loch Katrine's historic 124-year-old Steamship Sir Walter Scott for public enjoyment, installed the tower, with viewpoints connected by elevated boardwalks on a giant rock outcrop above Trossachs Pier. The tower is reached by a hand-built 200-metre stone path, reinstating a route that had been overgrown for decades.
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The tower is the final phase of the wider £2million Trossachs Visitor Management Project led by the Steamship Trust in partnership with other local charities, Trossachs community groups and agencies.
As part of the celebrations, actors recreated Sir Walter Scott's visit to the viewpoint, which inspired him to write his landmark poem, The Lady of the Lake. When published in 1810, it was the blockbuster of its day, with crowds flocking to see the dramatic landscapes described so vividly in his poem.
Around a century before that, the viewpoint, with its vantage point, was used by Roderick Dhu, a contemporary of Loch Katrine-born outlaw and clan chief Rob Roy MacGregor to warn him about advancing Redcoat soldiers seeking his arrest. As a result for many years the viewpoint was known as the Roderick Dhu Watch Tower. The story encouraged Sir Walter Scott to continue his Loch Katrine association by writing a historical novel about the legend of Rob Roy, published in 1817.
The £500k project involved the construction of the scenic tower, viewing platforms, boardwalks and path with the use of a helicopter to minimise the impact in what is an environmentally sensitive location.
Chair of VisitScotland Stephen Leckie inspecting the new scenic tower and viewpoints with actor playing the role of Sir Walter Scott at the location which inspired The Lady of the Lake and resulted in this being considered the birthplace of Scottish Tourism (Image: Paul Saunders Photography)
The Steamship Trust coordinated the project and provided some of the funding while grants totalling £274k were secured to help some of the costs from the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF) via Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park and Stirling Council and managed by VisitScotland on behalf of the Scottish Government.
James Fraser, Steamship Sir Walter Scott CEO and Lead Trustee, said: The Steamship Trust has long aspired to showcase this iconic viewpoint made famous by literary giants more than 200 years ago and I am delighted we have managed to achieve this in an imaginative and sensitive way that respects the special landscape and conservation qualities of the area.
"I am also grateful to all those who supported this project, especially the local communities, who were enthusiastic backers and wanted the public to once again enjoy very special views where Scottish tourism began."
Stephen Leckie, VisitScotland Chair, said: “It’s a real honour to open the Birthplace of Scottish Tourism Scenic Tower & Lookouts, where Sir Walter Scott put Loch Katrine and Scotland firmly on the map as a tourist destination.
"Scotland’s visitors continue to be attracted to the wonderful scenery surrounding Trossachs Pier. The new Roderick Dhu viewpoint will give visitors access to breath-taking views, without having to climb the surrounding peaks. It follows earlier improvements to motorhome and car parking, cyclist provision, signage, and toilets, in the area.
The changes will allow visitors to enjoy the stunning landscape while protecting the local environment. It aligns with our commitment to creating a sustainable tourism experience that benefits all.”
Since 1859, Loch Katrine has supplied millions of gallons of water daily to Glasgow and much of west and central Scotland. The Loch Katrine site is part of the Great Trossachs Forest and is in the ownership of Scottish Water.
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