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ROUTE

Stirling to Loch Katrine

Heading west out of the start venue at Stirling Dobbies on the A84 before turning toward  Kippen on the B8031. The original route took us south to Fintry, but that had to be avoided at all costs, if mingling with 1700 cyclists was to be achieved. Instead from Kippen we headed west on the A811, joining the A81 south toward the west of Killearn.

From there we turned west on the B834 to pickup the A809, passing the Devil's Pulpit on the way. Heading north on the A809 we passed through Croftamie to join up with the A811 again, this time heading north east to Drymen. This little loop brought us back to the A81 taking us to the delightful village of Aberfoyle with toilets, cafes and a petrol station.

From Aberfoyle we trekked over the hills on the A821 Three Lochs Forest Drive to Loch Achray before a left turn to the Loch Katrine Visitor Centre and the opportunity to take a cruise on the steamer Sir Walter Scott.


Built by William Denny & Brothers of Dumbarton, it was launched on 31 October 1899.  You can read the full story of the steamships on Loch Katrine at  https://www.lochkatrine.com/history

 
Loch Katrine to Cultybraggan Camp

Fully refreshed we proceeded back along the north side of Loch Achray and Loch Venachar to Kilmahog to join the A84 northbound to Lochearnhead. We drove along the north side of Loch Earn to St. Fillans and Comrie where we turned south calling in at Cultybraggan Camp.



The camp was constructed during the Second World War to house up to 4000 prisoners, first Italian and then German PoWs.


Named PoW Camp 21, it had a notoriously hard reputation, housing dozens of SS officers, members of the Wehrmacht, Luftwaffe & Marine Corps among others. The small café, and museum was a welcome stopover to take in the fascinating history of the place.


Full Entry List
Graeme Gallaoway's Anglia
Tour of the Trossachs – 7 September 2025.
                                              Story - Jim Paterson. photos Jim Paterson, John Stuart
Cars lining up for the start
The 22 crews gathered at Dobbies Garden Centre at Stirling for the start of the 2025 Tour of the Trossachs. The morning was overcast with a hint of drizzle in the air, with the forecast somewhat foreboding with a wet front arriving over the west coast. That was only adding to our last minute rework of the route. Thanks to Jim Hendry who alerted us on the Friday to Sir Chris Hoy's  'Tour de 4' charity cycle run on the same day as our tour. A quick route check found we were both using the same stretch of road between Fintry and Killearn. Organiser Jim Watson contacted the cycle event organiser to find some 1700 cyclists would be coming toward us over this stretch, asking if we could reroute our tour. Jim selected top gear and within 12 hours designed an avoiding  re-route, with a reprint of the A3 roadmaps to be handed out at the Sunday morning signing on.

Drivers Briefing 
Overall Route map

Hemmingway / McIntyre 1974 MGB/GT
McGarrie / Paterson 2007 Audi TT
After refuelling cars and crews we flagged them on their way. Our friends Geoff Hemmingway and Sam McIntyre regularly driving up from from Pickering, North Yorkshire in their 1970 MGB/GT led the starters. Another of our regular crews, Brian McGarrie and Emma Paterson set off in their ice blue 2007 Audi TT, to be followed by fellow Audi TT crew Charlie young and Eddie Hawke in a 2016 red model.

Going way back in time, we welcomed Fred Multon and John Anderson in Fred's 1929 Alvis 12/50. First time we have seen this car and crew, but no stranger to long distance adventures. Fred challenged the Peking to Paris event back in 2007 with his daughter Polly. Some of Fred's stories of crossing the Gobi desert in Mongolia, make motoring in the UK seem docile by comparison. Jim Hendry, he who gave us the Chris Hoy Tour de 4 heads-up, departed with Alan France in the 1963 Triumph TR4 that was last seen recently on our Grampian Gallop.  


Young / Hawke2016  Audi TT
Multon / Anderson 1929 Alvis 12/50

Hendry / France 1963 Triumph TR4
Regulars Chris and Mary Paton brought their bright red 1960 Mini Mk1, the one with twin webers, which sounds as good as it looks.
Paton 1960 Morris Mini
 Good to see another regular crew, Jock Millar with Linda Telford, today in Linda's day car the 2018 Suzuki Celerio, as Jock preparing his usual MG Midget for some hillclimb events, his other motorsport passion.
George Petrie and Janet Jones brought the trusty 1969 Bond Equipe GT4S, thankfully door windows working. At the Red Hackle the drivers one dropped into the door requiring some brute strength to get it back up!

Millar / Telford 2018 Suzuki Celerio
Petrie / Jones 1969 Bond Equipe GT4S
 Stuart and Jennifer Cobb arrived in the Red edition 2004 Toyota MR2, hoping the top would keep most of the drizzle out of the cabin. From Inverness area Don and Mags Campbell roared away in their amazing 1978 Bristol 412, which takes touring in sporting and style. Tony and Ruairidh Fleming teamed up again in their 1970 MG Midget, hood up, the preferred position for Tony, even in high summer!  Helen Monckton with Stuart Robertson were nice and dry in a 1997 Mercedes 320SL, Stuart armed with camera to capture some highlights on route. Kevin and Anne Bax had hoped to arrive in their Jensen Healey, but more TLC required to improve reliability. So Anne's 2004 Smart Roadster Coupé was pressed into service once more. Probably a blessing in disguise with the forecast being wet wet wet!
Cobb 2004 Toyota MR2
Campbell 1978 Bristol 412

Fleming 1970 MG Midget
Monckton/Robertson 97 Mercedes 320SL 
Kevin and Anne Bax had hoped to arrive in their Jensen Healey, but more TLC required to improve reliability. So Anne's 2004 Smart Roadster Coupé was pressed into service once more. Probably a blessing in disguise with the forecast being wet wet wet!
Bill and Val Pollock are enjoying their 1956 Triumph TR3 this year, the first time I have seen it with the hood up, even if it leaks (Ed don't they all from that era?). Great to again Reuben and Hope Phillips in the Mazda MX5 again. The new acquisition is getting plenty of use in all weathers. always love to see a well presented Morris Minor, and can rely on Graham and Yvonne Cox have a superb 1968 Traveller example, which also has been out and about many times this year.

Bax 2004 Smart Roadster Coupé
Pollock 1956 Triumph TR3

Phillips 2005 Mazda MX5
Cox 1968 Morris Minor Traveller
Wilma and Robert Johnston drew up in their 2008 Mercedes SLK with roof firmly up. The powered roof is easy to take down so only need some sunshine to make that happen.
Our final crews to flag off were Sandy Nicolson in his shining black 2013 Jaguar XKR convertible, followed by Louise Paterson in a white  2010 Jaguar XK convertible, both with tops securely locked in the raised position.  

Johnston 2008 Mercedes SLK
Nicolson 2013 Jaguar XKR

Paterson 2010 Jaguar XK
 Event organisers Jim and Norma Watson brought there 1977 MGB Roadster and headed off to our first stop at Loch Katrine to meet the arriving crews.                  


LIneup at reserved parking for us at Loch Katrine

Cultybraggan Camp to Cairneyhill 
Turning south leaving the camp took us to Braco and a short blast up the A9 to Gleneagles. Over the Ochil Hills to Glendevon, Rimbling Bridge and Powmill. We looped arounf Blairingone to pickup the B913 to reach Saline. We were on the last leg now to Oakley, Cairneyhill and our final destination at Forrester Park Resort for a relaxing refreshment before gathering for our high tea celebration.



Finish High Tea at Forrester Park Resort

Date for your diary -  Tour of the Borders
5 October

Published 13 September 2025
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