The Best E-biking Tour Along Loch Katrine in Scotland

Are you looking for a unique way to explore one of Scotland’s most beautiful lochs? Then, e-biking along Loch Katrine is for you. Loch Katrine is a freshwater loch in the Trossachs National Park. It is famous for its tranquil beauty, historic steamboat cruise, forested hills, and literary connections to Sir Walter Scott’s poetry. The best way to enjoy its remoteness is to cycle the quiet road beside it.

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E-biking Tour Along Loch Katrine

I went on an electric biking tour with Trossach E-Bike Tours along Loch Katrine on a marvelous May day. The wildflowers were peeking out, and the spring birds provided a sweet concert.

Anna Clark, a well-certified e-bike guide with a wealth of knowledge, manages Trossach E-Bike Tours. Her enthusiasm for the area’s flora and fauna is contagious. As an editor of scientific textbooks, Anna wanted to diversify her work. She started Trossach E-Bike Tours to introduce visitors to the beauty of Loch Katrine and the surrounding area.

Anna also guides e-biking tours to a goat farm on Loch Achray for delicious homemade goat ice cream. For a more leisurely trip, the Sail and Cycle tour starts with a cruise on the historic steamship SS Sir Walter Scott to the end of Loch Katrine. Then participants pedal back along the scenic shore. There is also a sunset cycling tour.

I went on the classic Loch Katrine Explorer Tour that traced the loch shore to the picturesque village of Stronachlachar, and returned on the same almost traffic-free route. The total cycling distance was 28 miles. With lots of stops for information sharing and lunch, it was a leisurely 4-hour trip.

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Trip Logistics of E-biking on Loch Katrine

The tour meets at the Trossachs Pier, 10 miles north of Callander on route A821. There is paid parking at the meeting place.

There is a bike hire shop at the pier where you can rent bikes to explore on your own. However, you would miss Anna’s fascinating commentary on the area’s historic and natural details.

The e-bikes are comfortable and easy to ride. You don’t need previous e-biking experience to participate, however, prior biking experience is advised. You are provided with a high-quality helmet, panniers to stow your gear, and bike gloves if you need them. Bring a water bottle and snacks.

Accomodations for E-biking on Loch Katrine

The closest town to Trossachs Pier is the quaint village of Callander. I enjoyed my stay in the Dalgair House Hotel right on Main Street. The old school rooms are above the pub that occasionally has music. A cosy bistro is also on the property with yummy food. A full Scottish breakfast comes with the room. I liked the charm of an authentic Scottish inn without breaking the budget.

For a bit more upscale accommodations, the Roman Camp Country House Hotel will wow you. It was built in 1692 and has gorgeous period furniture and spacious grounds. You can fish in the private ponds or relax in the oak-paneled library. A full breakfast is served in the on-site restaurant.

With all accommodations in Scotland, it’s important to book early. Desired places to stay are reserved up to six months in advance. I make sure to book accommodations with free cancellation on Booking.com so I can be flexible with planning.

Getting Around Scotland

I highly recommend having a car to visit Scotland. While it’s possible to use the excellent public transportation system in Scotland, there are many places for an outdoor adventurer to explore that require a car. I found driving on the left side to be very manageable. If you aren’t comfortable driving a manual car, make sure to book an automatic, as the standard shift is the usual default for car companies.

I use and recommend Discover Cars for your Scotland car rental. Discover Cars works with reliable local car rental companies to give you the best price and rental experience. I’ve used them often and have always been happy with the car rental.

Communications for Scotland

The best way to get the data needed to use apps and communicate in Scotland is to get an E-sim for your phone.

I’ve become a fan of E-sim cards for communication on international trips. An E-sim card can be bought online and easily installed on your phone before you travel. When you reach your destination, you turn on the E-sim in your settings and you have data to use when you are away from Wifi.

I use an Airalo E-sim card for all my international travel. E-sims are significantly less expensive than my phone carrier’s international charges. Plus, it’s easy to top them off when you run low on data.

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The History of Loch Katrine

Loch Katrine became the birthplace of Scottish tourism when thousands of Victorian visitors flocked to the loch to see the sights detailed in Sir Walter Scott’s narrative poem, “The Lady of the Lake.” We stopped at a scenic overlook on the bike tour to marvel at the beauty described by Scott. Anna had an antique book on “The Lady of the Lake” with old photos that matched the current landscape. It was a clever way to be introduced to the popular poem.

Loch Katrine is also the site of a Victorian engineering marvel. To supply fresh water to Glasgow, a monumental project of tunnels, bridges, and reservoirs was built by manual labor. Queen Victoria opened the water supply system in 1859. The loch provides water to Glasgow to this day.

Historic Steamship

The SS Sir Walter Scott is a steamship that has sailed the waters of Loch Katrine since 1899. It carries passengers from Trossachs pier to the charming town of Stronachlachar, and back. It is a page from Victorian times to watch the ship glide by on Loch Katrine.

Scotland’s Folk Hero Scoundrel

At one point of the e-biking journey around Loch Katrine, we stopped near the birthplace of Rob Roy MacGregor to hear the colorful story of this Scottish outlaw. Born into Clan MacGregor, Rob Roy was a supporter of the Jacobites, a rebel against British interests, and thought to be a Robin Hood to the downtrodden Scottish people. This national folk icon enjoys a romanticized image as a defender of Scottish identity and tradition.

We also visited the Clan MacGregor cemetery on our return ride. Although Rob Roy is not buried there, others of the clan rest in the loch-side graveyard.

The Natural History of Loch Katrine

In the first few stops, Anna shared information about the natural history of Loch Katrine. Since the spring wildflowers were blooming, we stopped to admire them while Anna gave interesting tidbits about herbal uses and Scottish lore.

She also had a laminated card of the animals and birds we might see on the loch. It was handy to know what to look for along the way. On one stop, Anna pulled up the Merlin app on her phone to ID the bird songs we heard. I was delighted as I use the Merlin app all the time. I had downloaded the Britain and Ireland region pack to my offline birds list so the Merlin app would work with the birds of Scotland. Make sure to download your region of travel before you go so you can identify birds of that part of the world.

A Wee Dram with a View

At one stop, at a lovely overview, Anna shared a wonderful quintessentially Scottish surprise. She spread out silver chalices for a tasting of the local whiskey. The drinking vessel is a quaich, a shallow two-handled drinking bowl. It is often known as the cup of friendship in Scotland. You won’t have better scenery for the ubiquitous whisky tasting in Scotland than on the shore of Loch Katrine.

We also sampled a Scottish sweet treat called tablet. It’s a medium-hard, sugary confection made from sugar, condensed milk, and butter.  

Anna showed a photo of a scene from Outlander filmed on Loch Katrine. I’m sure Outlander fans would recognize it immediately. But, since I didn’t get past the first episode, I didn’t have the proper appreciation, I’m sure.

Musical Inspirations while E-biking on Loch Katrine

Loch Katrine was an inspiration not only for literature, but also for musical compositions. Anna played several on her phone and I was surprised that the inception of a popular tune played extensively in the United States had been inspired in Scotland.

Hail to the Chief, the official anthem of the US president, was inspired by the lyrics of The Lady of the Lake by Sir Walter Scott. The song was adapted by composer James Sanderson, and first played for George Washington to honor the end of the War of 1812.

In 1825, German composer Franz Schubert composed a selection of seven songs from Scott’s The Lady of the Lake. The most popular song was Ave Maria, a well-known and frequently performed piece of sacred music. Ave Maria has transcended its origins to become a fixture in Western classical music, cinema, and popular culture.

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Visiting a Picturesque Village while E-biking on Loch Katrine

The half-way point of the e-biking trip on Loch Katrine trip is at the charming village of Stronachlachar. The SS Sir Walter Scott docks at the pier here on its trips the length of the loch. We had lunch (not included in the tour price) at the Pier Cafe with tables overlooking the lake. I had my first taste of haggis in a delicious toasted sandwich. Other Scottish favorites such as Cullen Skink, a smoked haddock chowder, were available.

It was a delightful way to refresh and refuel for the return e-bike trip back along the loch.

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Wrap Up of E-biking on Loch Katrine

E-biking on Loch Katrine is the perfect way to learn about the history and culture of Scotland without sitting in a tour bus. E-bikes make the rolling hills and the distance covered easy to ride. People with varying physical abilities will enjoy the trip.

The practically traffic-free road around the loch was a highlight, too. You can ride without a care along a well-maintained road while soaking in the awe-inspiring scenery. You will leave with stories of Scotland’s natural and cultural history that will stay with you for a long time. Therefore, if you want to experience the wonder and delight of a Scottish loch, do it from the seat of an e-bike with Anna and Trossachs E-bike Tours.

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Disclaimer: I was a guest of Trossach E-Bike Tours on this trip. I was not compensated or asked to write a positive review. All opinions are from my honest experience.

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