Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park
Scotland’s first National Park
A place where the lowlands and highlands meet, with varied scenery of rolling lowland landscapes, tranquil lochs and rugged mountains in the north.
These landscapes create a diverse range of habitats for a variety of wildlife including red squirrels, black grouse, golden eagles, osprey, pine marten and otters. The National Park Authority works to inspire communities, visitors and partners to enhance and protect this special place.
Go explore
Watching wildlife
The National Park is brimming with wildlife. You could encounter a red squirrel in the forest or golden eagles soaring high above. You might even catch a glimpse of an otter hunting along the loch shores.
What makes it special?
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is celebrated for the scenic quality of its landscapes and highly valued for its rich natural and cultural heritage. Here are a few things that make the National Park special:
Its special landscapes include lochs, coastlines, forests and striking contrasts where the lowlands and highlands meet.
It’s a working landscape, which has been influenced through generations by the people who live and work there.
It’s steeped in history and heritage, with ruined castles, charming towns and villages, archaeological discoveries and scenery admired by famous poets in times gone by.
Six of Scotland’s Great Trails (long distance routes) connect in and around the National Park and are part of the national walking network across Scotland.
Its close proximity to urban areas allows visitors the opportunity to learn and connect with nature on their doorstep.
Did you know?
A place of contrasts
Located only an hour’s drive away for 50% of Scotland’s population, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is a popular visitor destination offering a wide variety of activities for everyone to enjoy.
You could visit a charming local village and learn about the area’s heritage, take a leisurely stroll along a tranquil loch or bag a mighty Munro.
It’s a treasure trove of discovery and a fantastic place to reconnect with the great outdoors.
Getting around
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is easily accessible from Scotland’s central belt. There are lots of public transport networks in and around the National Park and there are also great cycle routes for active travel. Why not leave the car at home and make your journey here part of the holiday?
Visit responsibly
You can help to look after this special place by thinking about how you can be a responsible visitor when planning your trip. Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority has some useful information on reducing waste, camping responsibly and even what to do when you need to poo in the great outdoors!
Camping in the National Park
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park has seasonal byelaws between the months of March and September, which mean that you may need a permit or to stay at a campsite in some areas. Please read the guidance before planning your camping trip.
💭You might have heard of peatland, but what exactly is it and why does it matter so much?
Peatlands are our natural climate allies. They store vast amounts of carbon, support rare wildlife, improve water quality, reduce flood risk and preserve thousands of years of archaeological and cultural history.
Some of the UK`s most important peatlands are found within our National Parks, making them critical places for tackling the climate and nature crises.
Across the UK`s National Parks, peatland restoration projects are helping damaged peatlands recover, benefiting both nature and people.
📍Dartmoor National Park
#NationalParks #Peatlands #NatureRecovery
Our National Parks tell the stories of the people and places that came before us.
A new Joint Statement on the Historic Environment in the National Parks of England, Scotland and Wales has launched.
Bringing together the 15 National Parks and heritage partners, the statement sets out a shared commitment to protecting the historic places and features that help shape our landscapes.
From ancient monuments and archaeological sites to historic buildings and traces of past generations, our National Parks are home to thousands of years of history.
Together, we’re working to care for these special places so their stories can continue to be discovered, valued and enjoyed for generations to come.
Read the full statement via the link in our bio 🔗
#NationalParks #UKHistory #Heritage
Hello, August. 💚
Some habits we’re holding on to this month, for our National Parks and for ourselves.
Little changes can have a lasting impact when it comes to caring for our 15 special places.
What will you be taking into August?
#UKNationalParks #UKOutdoors
Take a moment to pause in this ancient woodland 🌿
Even a small moment in nature can help us to feel calmer, more connected and refreshed.
For centuries, National Parks across the country have given people the space to reconnect with the natural world. Moments like this are why these places matter, and why we must continue to protect them.
📍This beautiful footage was captured in @exmoornp.
#Exmoor #UKWoodland #NationalParksUK
☀️Summer can unfold quietly in nature across our National Parks.
In @pembscoast it’s happening right now.
Wildflowers brighten the clifftops, from sea pinks and oxeye daisies. These colourful blooms don’t just look beautiful - they are also provide a vital food source for butterflies and bees. 🐝
These simple seasonal moments are a gentle reminder to slow down, take a closer look, and notice the quieter side of summer in nature. 🌼
#ParkSpotlight #Summer #UKNature
💚 It’s Love Parks Week! Share this with someone who loves the National Parks, or add it to your story to show others that you do too.
There’s so much to love about our National Parks. They’re not just great places to visit, they’re places that protect habitats, restore nature, support local families and businesses, and bring communities together.
We all have our own reasons for why these places are so special to us.
#LoveParksWeek #NationalParksUK
🦋 Some of the UK’s rarest butterflies find a home in our National Parks. Here are just a few.
From flower-rich meadows to ancient woodlands and heathlands, many of our landscapes provide the ideal conditions that butterflies need to thrive.
Every butterfly is a reminder of why these places matter and how we can all play a part in protecting them.
The Big Butterfly Count is happening now. If you’re out exploring this summer, take part and help build a picture of how our butterflies are doing 👉 bigbutterflycount.org
Photography 📸
@lloydlanephotography
Tammy Andrews
Lloyd Lane
Neil Hulme
#BigButterflyCount #ButterflyConservation #UKNature
There’s something truly magical about the craft and skill of dry stone walling. 🪨
These remarkable walls still zigzag for more than 5,000 miles across the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
They’re a lasting reminder of the generations of craftsmanship that have shaped our landscapes, and of the traditional skills that continue to thrive across the UK’s National Parks.
🎥 Yorkshire Dales National Park
#ParkSpotlight #YorkshireDales
