It's not just the destination, it's the journey too...
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is proud to nurture bright, young design talent to bring you a fresh viewpoint on some of the Park's most breathtaking locations.
Scotland’s trunk roads are not only designed to get
you to your destination as quickly as possible. Some of the roads through
the National Park are now beautiful drives with that little bit extra. The
National Park has made it even easier for you to enjoy your journey through the
Park by installing uniquely designed viewpoints within the Park’s stunning
landscape.
Hidden gems you'll never forget
If you are looking for something a bit out of the ordinary these hidden gems are within easy reach. These stunning artworks offer you an opportunity for some breathing space when traveling through the National Park.
Funded by the Scottish Government, these brand new vistas launch a
national Scenic Routes initiative to create picturesque
stopping points to break up a road trip, allowing travellers to enjoy the best
vantage points near our road network.
New
viewpoint at Inveruglas - An Ceann
Mòr - translated from Gaelic as ‘large headland'
‘An Ceann Mòr’ at Inveruglas on the banks of Loch Lomond is the final installation of the first phase of
the Scottish Scenic Routes pilot project. It was officially unveiled by Richard Lochhead MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural
Affairs, Food and the Environment on 13 May 2015.
Designed by young
architectural practice, BTE, An Ceann Mòr has been designed to
the highest standards of accessibility and sustainability with people who have
limited mobility able to venture through the “tunnel” to be presented with
spectacular views of the Arrochar Alps in the west across Loch Lomond to Ben
Lomond in the middle distance.
The journey
to the view point starts in the visitor centre car park, following a new
accessible path through the trees and then through the new structure where the
panoramic view is then revealed. Visitors can then climb up to the top of the
viewpoint, sit and take in the stunning elevated views of Loch Lomond and the
surrounding mountains.
31 steps provide the same vista from an elevated
position. At eight metres high, pyramid-shaped An Ceann Mòr is
set to be the focus of many selfies!
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Woven Sound
designed by John Kennedy
'Woven Sound' is at Falls of Falloch, along
the A82 about a mile north of The Drovers Inn, en route to and about 3 miles from
Crianlarich. Find out more |
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Sloc nan Sìtheanach Faerie Hollow
designed by Ruairidh Campbell Moir
'Faerie Hollow' is situated beside the small picnic
site by Loch Lubnaig, between Callander and Strathyre on A84 about 5 miles
before Balquhidder. Find out more |
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LookOut
designed and built by Angus Ritchie and Daniel Tyler
LookOut is opposite Monachyle Mhor, on the land where the shores of Loch
Voil meet Loch Doine, past Balquhidder up the glen of the A84. Find out more |
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Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Scenic Route
Download the map here |
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Each of these bespoke designs complements the surrounding
landscape, offering magical viewpoints created by the very best of Scotland’s architecture
talent, all of whom competed to design these pilot projects for Scotland’s Scenic
Routes initiative.
Situated off the A82 and A84, together these unique locations also offers a variety of culinary and
activity based experiences along some of the most beautiful stretches of roads
in the National Park.
Slow down and enjoy life. It is not only the scenery you miss by
going too fast. You also miss the sense of where you are going and why...
About
John Kennedy designed “Woven Sound” to provide
a sheltered space that allows visitors to experience the Falls of Falloch at closer range
– providing a brand new viewpoint to take in the thundering Falls.
Cantilevering over the edge of the water, the shelter takes the form of a long trellis
of intricately woven-together steel rods that weaves its way between existing
trees to avoid damaging the natural beauty of the site creating a sculptural,
subtle form. This robust, inexpensive material allows the shelter to have a
very discrete presence, which doesn't detract from the Falls themselves. A
diary entry from Dorothy Wordsworth recalling the numerous Romantic writers and
painters who visited the Falls in the early 19th century is etched into the
dappled steel at the viewpoint.
Did you know?
Falls of Falloch is a beautiful waterfall and a
popular beauty spot for picnics. Standing at 30 feet high, the falls are an
abrupt step in the passage of the River Falloch as it makes its way down Glen
Falloch towards Loch Lomond at Ardlui. Falls of Falloch is a truly entrancing site
set in a peaceful glen.
See & Do
Photo opportunities are abundant - further up Glen Falloch, the oldest southerly remnants
of ancient Caledonian pinewood forest are in view look out for
golden eagles and red deer.
Food and drink
are available at Tarbet, Inveruglas, Ardlui, Inverarnan and
Crianlarich and picnic areas can be found in Tarbet, Inveruglas and Crianlarich.
Why not walk a section of West Highland Way from Inverarnan to Crianlarich
– 6 1/2 miles (10.5 km) to see stunning views of Falls of Falloch.
www.west-highland-way.co.uk
About
This mirrored cabin, wood-framed ‘lookout’
pavilion has benches built into it framing three mesmerizing views of the
landscape whilst reflecting the surrounding vistas on its mirrored surfaces. Mirrored stainless steel was applied to birch ply
sheets then fixed to the lookout's exterior surfaces, creating shifting reflections
that help the structure blend in with its surroundings.
Did you know?
The 18th century Scottish patriot, folk
hero and outlaw Rob Roy MacGregor lived and died in Balquhidder
and is buried in local church graveyard. The
tranquil glen is overlooked by the dramatic mountain terrain of
the Braes of Balquhidder, at the head of Loch Voil. At its western end the mountainous country north of Loch Katrine, the
inspiration of Sir Walter Scott’s legendary 'Lady
of the Lake' poem.
See & Do
Approaching Balquhidder the north / south glen of
Strathyre suddenly changes direction to the west / east glen that holds Loch
Voil. During winter Loch Lubnaig and Loch Voil sometimes flood to become one
large loch, 'Loch Occasional'. Balquhidder Glen is also popular for fishing,
nature watching and walking on the surrounding mountains.
Food and drink stops
and picnic sites can be found in Kilmahog, Lubnaig, Strathyre, Kingshouse,
Balquhidder and Lochearnhead.
About
The viewpoint nestles between the shrubs in a
natural hollow in the landscape with stunning views across Loch Lubnaig to Ben Ledi.
This
site, overlooking Loch Lubnaig, called for a place to stop, sit and linger to take in the surroundings. A natural hollow in the ground provided
the solution. 'Sloc' is Scots Gaelic for 'grassy hollow', and 'Sìtheanach'
represents 'faerie people', who according to our mythology reside at places of
peace and tranquility. The specialist metalwork at your feet in the
hollow, features a verse by local bard Alexander Campbell. "Now Winter's
wind sweeps" depicts mans place in natural cycles, and encourages one to
appreciate what is around them." This is the perfect place to do
just that.
Did you know?
The 3 mile (5km) long Loch
Lubnaig (Gaelic for the ‘Crooked Loch’), lies between the pretty bustling town of Callander and Strathyre.
See & Do
Once you have crossed the Highland Boundary Fault
from Callander to Strathyre you will experience a truly highland landscape. Beyond Kimahog the road twists and undulates through the
Pass of Leny, waterfalls and rapids in the gorge below. You can see an abundance of woodland plants
in the dappled shade beneath the surrounding trees. The steep, craggy
mountainsides of Ben Ledi and Ardnandave Hill dominate the view from Lubnaig
Beag.
Two new National Park visitor sites
on the shores of the Loch Lubnaig are now open. At the larger of the two sites nearer Strathyre,
you can make use of new barbecue stands, picnic benches and toilets.
Video
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Source Url: http://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/visiting/scenic-routes/menu-id-981.html