Trossachs Explorer - Bus Service
Loch Katrine and the Trossachs are easily accessible by public transport with the Trossachs Explorer. The summer bus service (1 July to 30 September 2024) connects Trossachs Pier with Aberfoyle, Callander, and Balfron with onward connections to many locations across Scotland’s Central Belt.
This is an easy and ideal way to visit Loch Katrine, enjoying a scenic bus journey through the beautiful scenery.
Loch Katrine is now connected to many of Central Scotland’s towns and villages!
The service is operated by McGills and Midland Bluebird, who have a large coverage area across Scotland. Their regions are Forth Valley, including Stirling, Alloa, and Falkirk; Edinburgh and West Lothian, including Edinburgh and Linlithgow; and Clydeside, including Glasgow, Cumbernauld, Kirkintilloch, Coatbridge, Paisley, and Greenock. They also cover the Stirlingshire villages and towns, including Doune, Dunblane, and Strathblane. Click here to see a map of participating areas.
Take advantage of McGill’s low fare day saver rate, which allows unlimited travel for £10.55 per adult across all of its regions, the price is less for groups of two or more and is free for those under 22 and over 65 with National Entitlement Cards (click here for prices).
Show your bus saver ticket at the booking office when you arrive at Loch Katrine for a 10% discount on any of our cruises.
Highlights of The Trossachs Explorer
Route Stops within Trossachs Area: Balfron (onward connections), Aberfoyle, The Lodge, Ben Venue, Loch Katrine, Ben A’an, Brig o’ Turk, Kilmahog (for Ben Ledi), and Callander (onward connections).
Accessibility: An 8.8m wheelchair-accessible bus with a capacity for up to 63 passengers.
Frequency: Operating 7 days a week, up to 8 times a day. Click here for the timetable
Bus & Boat Options: Timetables are designed to fit with Loch Katrine cruise sailing times.
Local Fares: A Day Saver ticket (unlimited journeys between Aberfoyle and Callander) costs £5.95 for adults, with group and family discounts available.
Concessions: Free travel for under 22s and over 60s with a National Entitlement Card.
Itineraries and Travel Links
Here are some suggested itineraries that show journeys to and from Loch Katrine.
Combine a bus trip with a sail on the historic Steamship Sir Walter Scott or Lady of the Lake on Loch Katrine, in the heart of Scotland's first National Park, and enjoy lunch or afternoon tea in the Steamship Cafe.
Please note that these suggestions are for illustration only. We urge you to check live timetables and use the McGills route planner before setting off on your journey. Timetables can change. Also, at the McGill website, you can create many more journeys from cities, towns, and villages across Scotland’s Central Belt. Click here for the McGills website.
Stirling to Loch Katrine
Depart Stirling Bus Station any day of the week at 09.00 (Stance 7) on 59 McGill’s Bus (see timetable) and arrive in Callander at 09.46. Transfer to Trossachs Explorer, which departs from Callander (same location as arrival) at 09.50 and arrives at Loch Katrine at 10.20. Go for a 2-hour cruise on the Steamship Sir Walter Scott, which sets sail at 10.30, or a 45-minute circular cruise at 11.00 on The Lady of the Lake.
Loch Katrine to Stirling
Depart Loch Katrine on the Trossachs Explorer at 15.30, arrive at Callander at 16.00, take the 59 bus, which departs at 17.05 (weekdays) or 16.55 (Saturdays), and get back to Stirling Bus Station at 17.54 (weekdays) or 17.44 (Saturdays). Note on Sunday, the departure time is 17.55 from Callander to Stirling.
Falkirk to Loch Katrine
Get on the 38 bus at Falkirk, Upper Newmarket Street, at 8.07 and arrive at Stirling Bus Station at 8.54. Then follow the instructions above to get from Stirling Bus Station to Callander, where you can join the Trossachs Explorer. Note that on Sundays, the bus departs Falkirk, Upper Newmarket Street, at 8.16 and arrives at Stirling Bus Station at 8.53.
Loch Katrine to Falkirk
Follow the instructions above for taking the Trossachs Explorer from Loch Katrine to Stirling Bus Station. From Stirling Bus Station, you can take the 38 bus, which departs at 18.10 and arrives at Falkirk, Newmarket Street, at 18.55. Note on Sundays, you will need to take the 20.00 bus from Stirling Bus Station, which arrives at Falkirk, Newmarket Street, at 20.36
Glasgow to Loch Katrine
On weekdays, take the X10 bus from Glasgow Buchanan Street at 8.15 and arrive in Balfron at 9.30. Then, join the Trossachs Explorer, which departs at 9.35 and arrives at Loch Katrine at 10.25—ideal for joining a cruise on Steamship Sir Walter Scott, which departs at 10.30.
Loch Katrine to Glasgow
On weekdays, take the Trossachs Explorer from Loch Katrine to Balfron at 14.05, arriving at 15.30 to transfer to the X10A, which departs at 15.48 and arrives in Glasgow, Buchanan Street at 17.01. For more time at Loch Katrine, board the Trossachs Explorer at 17.15 and arrive in Balfron at 18.45. The X10A bus arrives in Balfron at 18.57 and gets to Glasgow Buchanan Street at 20.12