Glen Finglas, The Trossachs
Glen Finglas Visitor Centre
In the heart of the Trossachs, Glen Finglas offers an enchanting outdoor experience perfect for families, nature lovers, and adventurers alike. This guide will help you discover the magic of this beautiful estate and make the most of your visit to this unique corner of Scotland.
What is Glen Finglas?
Glen Finglas is a stunning area managed by the Woodland Trust Scotland. It combines dramatic landscapes, native woodlands, open meadows, and a network of walking and cycling trails. It’s an ideal destination for anyone looking to immerse themselves in nature, learn about conservation, or enjoy outdoor fun.
The estate spans thousands of hectares and is part of the Great Trossachs Forest, one of Scotland's most significant woodland regeneration projects. This expansive forest is a haven for biodiversity and forms part of the Great Trossachs Path, a long-distance route linking Callander and Inversnaid. Glen Finglas offers something for everyone, whether you’re seeking adventure or tranquility.
Why Visit Glen Finglas?
Outdoor Adventures: With miles of walking and cycling trails, Glen Finglas provides ample opportunities to explore Scotland’s breathtaking landscapes.
Family Fun: The Play Trail is perfect for families with young children, offering interactive features and installations that encourage imaginative play.
Natural Beauty: The scenery is truly awe-inspiring, from the shimmering Glen Finglas Reservoir to rolling hills and ancient woodlands.
Wildlife Spotting: The estate is home to red squirrels, deer, woodland birds, and birds of prey such as ospreys and buzzards. You might also see otters in the reservoir.
Educational Value: Informational panels and conservation efforts highlight the area’s rich ecology and history, making it a rewarding experience for curious minds.
How to Get There
Location: Glen Finglas is located near Brig o’ Turk in the Trossachs, easily accessible from Stirling and Callander. It is also on the Trossachs Trail, a scenic driving route through the region.
By Car: Take the A84 to Callander from Stirling, then follow signs for Brig o’ Turk and the Glen Finglas Estate. Free parking is available at Lendrick Hill car park.
By Public Transport: Callander is accessible by bus from Stirling. Local taxi services can also take you to the estate.
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Glen Finglas Play Trail
Key Attractions
Glen Finglas Reservoir: A highlight of the estate, the reservoir offers stunning views and a peaceful ambiance, perfect for a scenic walk or picnic.
The Play Trail: This family-friendly trail features playful sculptures, climbing frames, and storytelling corners that delight children and adults alike.
Ruskin’s Rock: Named after the famous writer and art critic John Ruskin, this historic spot is where he found inspiration and penned works celebrating the beauty of the Trossachs.
Walking and Cycling Routes: With trails ranging from easy loops to challenging hill climbs, there’s a route for every level of adventurer. Popular paths include the Lendrick Hill Loop, the Mell Circuit, and the Great Trossachs Path sections.
Wildlife Observation: Visit a wildlife hide or pause along the trails to spot red squirrels, ospreys, buzzards, and other native species.
Stunning Viewpoints: Throughout the estate, breathtaking viewpoints offer panoramas of the Trossachs and beyond.
Events: Glen Finglas often hosts events, such as guided walks, wildlife spotting sessions, and conservation activities. Before your visit, check the Woodland Trust website or local listings to see what’s on.
Glen Finglas Trail
Practical Information
Opening Hours: Glen Finglas is open year-round. Visit during daylight hours for the best experience.
Facilities: Toilets are available at the Lendrick Hill car park. However, no food or drink outlets are available, so bring a packed lunch or snacks, but if you do want to visit a cafe, take a short drive/walk/cycle to Trossachs Pier Loch Katrine or the Tearoom and Brig o’ Turk.
Accessibility: Many trails are well-maintained and suitable for most abilities. However, some sections may be uneven, so sturdy footwear is recommended.
Dogs: Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead to protect wildlife.
Glen Finglas Play Trail
Glen Finglas Play Trail
Top Tips for Your Visit
Dress for the Weather: The Trossachs weather can be unpredictable, so wear layers and bring waterproofs.
Bring Binoculars: Enhance your wildlife spotting with a pair of binoculars.
Pack a Picnic: Enjoy a meal surrounded by nature at one of the estate’s scenic picnic spots.
Allow Time for Exploration: With so much to see and do, plan to spend a few hours or even a full day at Glen Finglas.
Glen Finglas Nature Guide
Planning Your Visit
Glen Finglas offers something unique if you’re a family looking for a fun day out, a nature enthusiast seeking inspiration, or an adventurer eager to explore. It combines outdoor activities, breathtaking scenery, rich history, and conservation significance.
Glen Finglas Trail
Ruskin Rock, Brig o’ Turk
Ruskin Rock, also known as John Ruskin Viewpoint, is a landmark in the Trossachs that highlights the Victorian fascination with this region. Inspired by Sir Walter Scott’s Lady of the Lake (1810), poets, artists, and writers flocked to the area, leaving a lasting cultural impact.
In 1853, John Ruskin, a celebrated 19th-century art critic and early environmentalist, was immortalized in a portrait by John Millais. The dramatic backdrop of the falls near Glen Finglas captures Ruskin’s personality and deep connection with nature. An information board at the site explains Ruskin’s philosophy of linking all things to the natural world.
While painting the portrait, Millais and Ruskin stayed together at Glen Finglas, accompanied by Ruskin’s wife, Effie. Effie read and sketched while assisting the men. However, the story takes a dramatic turn: Millais falls in love with Effie, and their connection changes their lives.
Effie revealed that her seven-year marriage to Ruskin had not been consummated, allegedly due to his impotence—an accusation he denied. Their marriage was annulled, and Effie went on to marry Millais.
Visitors can explore this intriguing historic site by following the orange waymarked trail from the Glen Finglas Visitor Centre to Lendrick Hill and Dam. A short detour near the dam leads to Ruskin Rock, where this fascinating story unfolded. Read more at the link below.
Ruskin's Rock, Glen Finglas
Great Trossachs Path
The Great Trossachs Path, one of Scotland’s Great Trails connects Inversnaid with Callander and goes through Glen Finglas.
Plan a Trip to the Trossachs
See our full range of guides to The Trossachs, as well as The Trossachs Trail website, plus check out our new book ‘101 things to do in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs’, a photo guidebook of things to do and places to explore, including lots of activities in the Trossachs. Click here to purchase.
Glen Finglas Walking Routes
The Woodland Trust has produced an excellent guide for Glen Finglas, showing the various walking and cycling routes. Click below to download.
Glen Finglas Reservoir
Thanks for reading
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