News

Seasonal Employment Opportunities at Loch Katrine

During the 2010 cruising season at Loch Katrine (commencing on 1st April), seasonal employment opportunities (including shore-based positions) will be available with the teams operating the historic steamship Sir Walter Scott, and the modern motor vessel Lady of the Lake. The available positions include:

Boat Masters
Ship’s Crew
Booking Office and Gift Shop Assistants
Grounds Maintenance Assistants

For further information or to request an Application Form, please contact David Wyles at (01877) 332000 or (01360) 660923 or email: davidwyles@btinternet.com

Winter arrives in The Trossachs...

...and with those first frosts signalling that the colder months are here, it’s time for the winter maintenance programme at Loch Katrine to commence, taking advantage of the quieter period to undertake essential engineering work on both the ‘Sir Walter Scott’ and ‘Lady of the Lake’, in preparation for their return to service at the beginning of April.

Everyone at Loch Katrine looks forward to welcoming visitors again during the Easter holiday period, the start of an important season when the 200th anniversary of the publication of Sir Walter Scott’s famous poem ‘Lady of the Lake’ will be marked with a series of special events in The Trossachs.

The perfect gift!

Are you looking for a great way to say ‘Congratulations!’ - ‘Happy Birthday’ - or even just ‘Thank You!’? Then a Loch Katrine Gift Voucher is the ideal solution.

Available from £10 upwards, they can be used for all Loch Katrine sailings and cycle hire from Katrinewheelz, and in The Anchor’s Rest Bistro & Bar, and in Katrine Gifts.

They’re available now from The Information Office at Loch Katrine - and also by calling (01877) 332000. Now you can give someone the gift of a wonderful day out at Loch Katrine!

Sir Walter Scott and Queen Victoria join guests to re-launch Loch Katrine’s famous steamship

Steamship Sir Walter Scott ready for a second century of service

From l to r: Baillie Councillor Colin O'Brien, Leader of Stirling Council Councillor Graham Houston, Queen Victoria, Sir Walter Scott, Councillor Scott Farmer, and Bruce Crawford MSP.

The early days of tourism in The Trossachs were re-created at Loch Katrine on Monday 22nd June when Sir Walter Scott and Queen Victoria joined local guests and Stirling MSP and Minister for Parliamentary Business Bruce Crawford to celebrate the completion the three-year project to restore and refurbish the steamship Sir Walter Scott, synonymous with Loch Katrine and an icon for The Trossachs since its launch in 1899.

Bruce Crawford was welcomed to Loch Katrine by Operations Director Gordon Allan and Sir William McAlpine (Chairman of The Steamship Sir Walter Scott Trust), and he paid tribute to the commitment and dedication of the team who have accomplished the restoration, which included three successive winters of work on the ship (whilst on the slipway at Stronachlachar), completely re-building the ship’s original 1899 triple expansion steam engine, installing new boilers enabling it to operate on environmentally-friendly bio-fuel, and adding a new enclosed lounge, enhancing for visitors the experience of a cruise on Loch Katrine. “It has been a incredible achievement for so many reasons” he remarked; “The challenges which everyone faced must have seemed enormous, yet through dedication, co-operation and perseverance we have this remarkable result - a ship with its roots in the 19th century, yet ready to sail well into the 21st century, and provide a wonderful experience for visitors to this very special part of Scotland”.

Among the guests at Loch Katrine was the Convenor of the Board of The Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority, Dr. Mike Cantlay, who emphasised the significance and importance of the project. “We have committed resources to the task of positioning Scotland’s first National Park as a nationally and internationally recognised world class tourist destination, and this can only be achieved by providing unique experiences for visitors, such as that which is now available here at Loch Katrine”, he commented.

The support which has been provided to the project was acknowledged by Peter Cook, Chairman of The Steamship Sir Walter Scott Limited. “The successful re-launch today of The Sir Walter Scott is the culmination of many years work” he remarked. “It has been made possible only due to the financial support and co-operation received from Scottish Water and The Scottish Government, and the willingness of the many suppliers and contractors such as Fergusons Shipbuilders, Argent Energy, and James Bilsland and Sons whose assistance made possible the conversion of the ship’s steam engine to operate on bio-fuel. We also must recognise the efforts of all the employees at Loch Katrine, and the support of all the customers who come to enjoy the beauty of Loch Katrine and the pleasure of sailing on the Sir Walter Scott”.

During the 2009 season The Sir Walter Scott is operating a return service from Trossachs Pier to Stronachlachar every morning, as well as shorter 1-hour cruises during the afternoon.

For sailing times and prices click here, and to reserve your cruise on Loch Katrine, click here.

Re-launch of Loch Katrine’s famous steamship

All aboard The Sir Walter Scott

All aboard The Sir Walter Scott as the steamship officially set sail on Loch Katrine after a three year restoration project. The 110 year old vessel is a firm favourite amongst visitors to the Trossachs and will now serve tourists for generations to come. Watch the report from STV's Scotland Today.

Refurbished steamship features on BBC Scotland show, ‘Landward’

The refurbishment of the steamship Sir Walter Scott was recently aired on the BBC Scotland show, Landward. The report by Nick Nairn can seen by clicking here. The Scotland Outdoors section of the BBC website also has an audio clip that can be heard here, and an image gallery that can be viewed by clicking here.

The Loch Katrine Story

A new Souvenir Guide Book, telling the story of Loch Katrine and the veteran steamship Sir Walter Scott has just been published. Written by the renowned transport historian Michael Pearson, the full-colour booklet is filled with spectacular images which capture the beauty of Loch Katrine, and the atmosphere of a journey on the famous ship.

It is available for purchase from Katrine Gifts at Trossachs Pier for £3.25, or at the specially reduced price of £2.95 when purchased in conjunction with your cruise tickets. For further information, call (01877) 332000.

Once upon a time...

…life around the shores of Loch Katrine wasn’t just as peaceful as it is today! Perhaps fact and fiction have become mixed up as the tales of the famous highlander Rob Roy MacGregor have been told and re-told, but one fact which is never disputed is his bravery and his love of the countryside and its people.

You can get a glimpse of what life was like in Rob Roy’s day with new displays which have been installed at Trossachs Pier - an ideal introduction which sets the scene for a cruise on Loch Katrine.