The Steamship Sir Walter Scott Ltd.
WHERE
Callander
What it’s like
A cruise on a 126-year-old steamship across Loch Katrine, with bikes, a play area and two lochside cafés to fill the rest of the day.
The main event is the boat itself. Steamship Sir Walter Scott has been sailing Loch Katrine for well over a century, and there are three daily sailings through spring and summer with live commentary on the way. Cruises run anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours depending which one you pick, so a quick trip works for a toddler who won't sit still, and the longer one suits kids who'll actually watch the scenery go by. There's live music on some sailings too, and a Santa cruise if you're planning a Christmas trip.
If you fancy stretching the day out, you can hire bikes, including e-bikes, take one on the cruise and cycle back afterwards, which feels like the bit to save for last rather than lead with. There's also an open-air play area with swings up at the eco-lodges, useful if you're staying over rather than just passing through for the afternoon.
Getting to Trossachs Pier is worth thinking about before you set off. It's ten miles from Callander and the site is clear that sat nav can send you the wrong way, so it's worth using their own directions instead of trusting the phone. Once you're there, both piers have licensed cafés, Steamship Café at Trossachs Pier and Pier Café at Stronachlachar, plus picnic areas if you'd rather bring your own. Dogs travel on the boats for £2 each, though they're not allowed inside the Steamship Café itself, just the covered patio.
Wheelchair access to the historic vessel is possible but space is limited, and there are wheelchairs to borrow for boarding if you need one. Bikes can go on board too, for a small surcharge and subject to availability, which is one of those small faffs worth knowing about if you've got your heart set on the cycle-back option.
Facilities
Need to know
- Parking
- Cash or card at Trossachs Pier, cash only at Stronachlachar
- How long to allow
- 45 minutes to 2 hours for cruises
- Food
- Two licensed cafés: Steamship Café at Trossachs Pier (9am-5pm daily) with indoor and terrace seating
- Picnics
- Allowed in outdoor and sheltered areas at Trossachs Pier and lochside area at Stronachlachar
- Wheelchairs
- Wheelchair access to Steamship Sir Walter Scott (historic vessel, space limited)
- Dogs
- Allowed on boats at £2 each
- Sat nav can take you to the wrong spot near Trossachs Pier, so use their own directions instead.
- Free visitor wifi at both piers only lasts 30 minutes.
- You can launch your own canoe or paddleboard from the slipway, from 5pm at Trossachs Pier or anytime at Stronachlachar.
- Lodge stays run for a minimum of two nights.
Plan your visit
How long is the cruise?
Cruises range from 45 minutes up to two hours, and there are private charter options too if you want the boat to yourselves.
How do we get there?
Trossachs Pier is ten miles from Callander via the A84 and A821, or seven miles from Aberfoyle over the Duke's Pass. They specifically warn against trusting sat nav, so it's better to use their directions page.
Can we bring the dog?
Dogs are allowed on the boats for £2 each, subject to availability. They're not allowed inside the Steamship Café, but they're welcome on the covered patio and in the Pier Café at Stronachlachar.
Can we take bikes on the boat?
Bikes can go on board for a small surcharge, though space isn't guaranteed. If you're travelling from Stronachlachar back to Trossachs Pier you'll need to pre-book to be sure of a spot.
What's there to eat?
Trossachs Pier has a fully licensed café and a takeaway kiosk, and Stronachlachar has the Pier Café by the loch. The boats themselves also have onboard refreshment kiosks.
Is it accessible for wheelchairs?
There's wheelchair access to the Steamship, though space on the historic vessel is limited, and wheelchairs are available to borrow to help with boarding.
Are there toilets on board?
Steamship Sir Walter Scott has an accessible toilet plus two more downstairs. Lady of the Lake has a toilet too, but Rob Roy III doesn't.
Can kids stay in the lodges?
Yes, the eco-lodge site is child-friendly and enclosed, with an open-air play area with swings. Some lodges suit children better than others, so it's worth asking them to recommend one.
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