Roderick Dhu Path and Scenic Tower
New Scenic Tower and Viewpoints at Loch Katrine
We are excited about the new three-story scenic tower and lookouts above Trossachs Pier at Loch Katrine, providing access to the famous Roderick Dhu viewpoint where Sir Walter Scott was inspired to write his epic poem Lady of the Lake, published in 1810 that led to the birth of Scottish tourism.
The Scenic Tower officially opened to the public in August 2024. It can be accessed from Trossachs Pier (shown on the map below) for no charge (although donations are welcome to the charitable trust that operates it and the rest of the Loch Katrine site.)
This guide will share pictures of the tower, viewpoints, path, and spectacular views. We also have behind-the-scenes photos of the tower's careful construction at this magnificent historic location.
Our first photograph (the one above) shows the Steamship Sir Walter Scott setting off on a cruise on Loch Katrine, something she has been doing since 1900. Now visitors can get this fantastic view of her cruise through the Great Trossachs Forest.
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Constructing the new Roderick Dhu Path
We were on hand one bright January morning when a helicopter made over 100 short round trips from a field beside Loch Achray to airlift bags of stone and aggregate, each weighing around one ton, dropping at points along the route of the pathway close to Trossachs Pier. The helicopter flew by the beautiful and dramatic snow-capped peak of nearby Ben Venue to access the site.
The path winds through a Special Area of Conservation. The path builders are taking great care to painstakingly hand-build the pathway, bordered by post-and-rail fencing to ensure safe and easy access for many people to enjoy spectacular views of Loch Katrine and the surrounding hills.
Accessing the Scenic Tower
It’s a steep but relatively short climb to the tower and viewpoints along a 200-metre path through ancient woodlands. Some benches allow you to take a breather on the way up.
Exploring Loch Katrine’s Scenic Tower and Viewpoints
The tower and viewpoints pictured below blend into the beautiful environment. You enter to the left and then can turn right to reach the two viewpoints. The back view gives you an excellent view of Ben A’an, a popular nearby hill. The front viewpoint lets you look down on Trossachs Pier below and up along Loch Katrine. Walk along the front boardwalk towards the three-story tower, then each level, as you climb has a stunning view.
The Birthplace of Scottish Tourism
This viewpoint was known as the Roderick Dhu Watch Tower and was home to two wicker huts built in the late 1780s for artists and writers to stay and be inspired by the magic of the Trossachs' changing landscapes. Many leading Victorian artists and writers visited, like Keats, the Wordsworths, and Sir Walter Scott.
The Lady of the Lake
Loch Katrine and Scotland were placed firmly on the tourist map following the phenomenal success of Sir Walter Scott's poem ‘The Lady of the Lake.’ Like many of his contemporaries, Scott was inspired by the incredible panoramic views during his visit in 1809. When his epic poem was published one year later, visitors flocked in their thousands to see the landscapes and scenes he described so emotively. The draw of visitors first to Loch Katrine and then across Scotland saw the birth of Scottish tourism.
Rob Roy MacGregor
Sir Walter Scott’s association with Loch Katrine continued. By now, Scott had developed a new literary genre, historical fiction. One of the most famous Scott novels features stories of the Clan Chief and outlaw Rob Roy MacGregor, born at Loch Katrine in 1693. Scott was interested in learning that a contemporary of Rob, Clan Chief Roderick Dhu, and his clan folk used the elevated viewpoint as a lookout to signal up the loch to warn Rob Roy of Red Coat soldiers seeking his arrest approaching through the narrow Glen below. Read more about the incredible history of the Trossachs here.
Below, you can see an actor playing Sir Walter Scott's part at the tower's official opening on Wednesday, 21st August 2024.
“So wondrous wild, the whole might seem the scenery of a fairy dream”
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Historic Loch Katrine Viewpoint
The Steamship Sir Walter Scott Trust created the scenic tower and viewpoint, with the idea coming from its lead trustee, James Fraser. This is a visionary project celebrating the enormous historical and cultural significance of the tower's site above the Trossachs Pier headland and the work that has gone into creating a unique experience in a sensitive way that provides Loch Katrine visitors with an opportunity to enjoy the iconic views that triggered a boom in Scottish tourism and the growth of nearby Callander and Aberfoyle to cope with the large influx of early tourists.
I’ve been lucky to be part of this exciting development and now regularly meet visitors who enjoy the historic view tremendously and, thanks to the storyboards, learn more about the rich heritage of this iconic spot at the heart of the Trossachs.
Finally, this is a great attraction to visit year-round, as illustrated above with a winter picture, contrasted with a summer one below.
Thanks for reading
Words and photography by Paul Saunders. Visit Paul’s Marketing and Photography websites for details of his services in Scotland.
We hope you enjoy your visit to the new scenic tower and viewpoints at Loch Katrine, let us know about your experience in the comments below.
Buy our guidebook, 101 Things to Do in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, packed with attractions, views, and activities to enjoy.