Glen Finglas: a tempting idea?
Published on 27th March 2008 
Estimated Reading Time: 2 minutesWhen I was walking from Drymen to Callander last August, I encountered a leaflet proclaiming the attractions of Glen Finglas. These days, it is owned by the Woodland Trust, and they have big plans to restore the woodland in the glen. The glen forms part of the Great Trossachs Forest National Nature Reserve and a 200-year landscape-scale woodland restoration project, ensuring its preservation for future generations to enjoy.
However, it wasn't that which caught my eye but the walking possibilities. There are nine waymarked walking routes of varying difficulty, including the Great Trossachs Path, a 48km trail that traverses the entire Great Trossachs Forest. Cycling routes and a play trail for children in Little Druim Wood further enhance the outdoor recreation opportunities available. Wildlife watching opportunities abound, allowing visitors to connect with nature on a deeper level.
Glen Finglas was once a royal hunting forest, graced by the presence of kings such as James II, James IV, James V, and Mary, Queen of Scots. The site of the Hunt Hall, built for James II in the 1400s, is believed to be near the Glen Finglas Reservoir. A Visitor Gateway Centre is located at the Lendrick Hill car park, offering essential facilities such as toilets, Wi-Fi, and visitor information. Open daily from April to October, it serves as a vital hub for those exploring Glen Finglas and its surroundings.
The glen has long been an inspiration for artists and writers, including Sir Walter Scott, who penned the poem "Glenfinlas, or Lord Ronald's Coronach" in 1803. The famous art critic John Ruskin and painter John Everett Millais spent time here in 1853, while poets such as Wordsworth, Coleridge, and Gerard Manley Hopkins were also captivated by the glen's ethereal beauty.
Given all of this, it is possible to see why the Woodland Trust bought the 4,875-hectare estate in 1996. However, without a car, it appears that getting there is the tricky bit; it might be a case of doing a spot of cycling, then. Even so, it is perhaps not as far from Aberfoyle as initial impressions might lead you to believe, though there will be uphill travel. The way from Callander is longer but more level.
