It has been well documented that spending time in the great outdoors nourishes your body, mind and soul and where better to take advantage of nature’s healing qualities than in the Trossachs.
Only five miles away from Aberfoyle and Callander, the village of Brig o’ Turk is nestled in the heart of the Trossachs surrounded by hills and lochs, providing a sense of remote Scottish countryside whilst still being quite accessible. To the east of the village is Loch Venachar and to the west Loch Achray. Whilst Ben A’an, Ben Venue and Ben Ledi all loom in the background and although they may be wee compared to the munros, their sense of presence and beauty is outstanding.
The Brig o’ Turk may be small in comparison to other Scottish outdoor destinations, but it has much to offer the outdoor enthusiast including: walking, running, cycling, paddle boarding and wildwater swimming.
Walking
The area is a walkers paradise with a vast range of walks from hills, circuits (short and long) and longer linear routes. Ben A’an
(461m), Ben Venue
(729m) and Ben Ledi (879m) are the local hills and whilst they are smaller than some of the neighbouring areas, it is always good to plan your trip and check the conditions before heading up. If you like your walks a little flatter (although sometimes still undulating), there are nine waymarked routes around Glen Finglas, as well as the Loch Venachar circuit and Loch Venachar forestry walk. The Great Trossachs Path also runs through the village, however if you are not up for a 30 mile walk, there are many walks that you can take along the path.
Walk in the Park organises a number of health walks in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs area. These are a great opportunity to walk with others and enhance your body and mind and generally finish off with a cuppa and cake 🙂 They also run a In Step with Nature project which promotes the health benefits that fulling connecting with nature can bring.
For us dog lovers, no walk is complete without our canine companion, however if bringing your dog to the area please follow the Woodland Trust’s dog walking code. The Brig o’ Turk Tearoom is dog friendly, so after your walk why not pop by for a treat for both you and your dog!
Cycling
The area is a haven for cyclists and the routes around here have something for cycling enthusiasts at all levels. You can check out the different types of routes in the area on the Cycle in the Park website. There are also plenty of options for gravel riding in the area and Gravefoyle Events hosts a number of events each year. There are guided bike tours available through Trossachs Ebike Tours and Adaptive Riders Collective.
There are plenty of options for bike hire: Wheels Cycling Centre, Katrine Wheelz and Aberfoyle Bike Hire.
The tearoom is one of the #cycleintheparkwelcome businesses and you can find an e-bike charger and a repair station there. As well as plenty of coffee and cake to refuel the body!
Enjoying the Lochs
More and more people are coming to the area to make the most of Loch Venachar, Loch Drunkie and Loch Achray for activities like paddle boarding, canoeing and wildwater swimming. If you wish to engage in these activities make sure you are aware of the water safety code.
If you are looking for a way to warm up after being out on the water Venture Venachar has a wild sauna with stunning views.
Creativity
Brig O’Turk has always inspired creativity attracting the likes of John Everett Millias, John Ruskin, Effie Gray, the Glasgow Boys and William and Dorothy Wordsworth. One of the waterfalls in the Glen Finglas estate is where Ruskin had his portrait painted by Millias and the Ruskin viewpoint is now a great attraction of many who come to the village.
The area still inspires local artists today, check out: Chiara Fingland Illustrations, Wolf in the Trees, The Little Kitchen Ink and Truly Trossachs. Alternatively, grab your camera or your sketchbook and get out there!
Wellbeing
There are a number of organisations in the area who run various wellbeing courses set in a nurturing landscape. Please check out Trossachs Tryst and Lendrick Lodge.
This has recently had an "upgrade" and looks fresh and modern inside with some outside seating as well. It was really busy when we called in, but the staff are friendly and hard-working. There are some nice walks in the vicinity and it's well worth stopping here if you have some time to spend.
THE BRIG O’ TURK TEA ROOM
