Park Life Coverage Area

Park Life Magazine’s coverage area includes Milngavie, Bearsden, Loch Lomond, The Trossachs and many of Stirlingshire’s villages.

Bearsden & Milngavie

The Park Life area begins on the northern edges of Glasgow with Bearsden and Milngavie, the latter being the start of the West Highland Way walk, more of that later. Just north of Milngavie is Mugdock Park, further along the A81, just beyond Strathblane and Blanefield is Duntreath Castle and then the excellent Glengoyne Distillery.

Loch Lomond

The border for Loch Lomond & The Trossachs, Scotland’s first National Park, is crossed just before the small village of Croftamie. The village is on the National Number 7 Cycle Route which runs right across our area. Just before Drymen Bridge turn left to head to Loch Lomond’s southern banks. At Gartocharn the RSPB have an excellent reserve, whilst at Balloch there is Loch Lomond Shores and boat trips from the long established Sweeney’s Cruises. Balloch is also the home of Loch Lomond’s last paddle steamer - The Maid of the Loch. The charitable trust that look after it are passionate about getting it sailing once again on Loch Lomond and are working hard to raise the necessary funds to achieve this.

Back to Drymen Bridge and the nearby site of The Drymen Show, Scotland’s longest running annual agricultural show. Drymen itself is the gateway to East Loch Lomond. On the villages pretty green you can enjoy the Piping in the Square event each Thursday night during summer months. This is also a popular first night stopping point for walking the West Highland Way. The green is also the start for the Rob Roy Way long distance walk.

A few miles away is Balmaha, this pretty village is on the banks of Loch Lomond, with the stunning Inchcailloch Island just across the water. A wooden boat departs from Balmaha Boatyard a couple of times each week to deliver mail to the small number of inhabitants of Loch Lomond’s islands. A recent addition to the village has been the Tom Weir Statue, celebrating the life of the popular adventurer and TV presenter of Weir’s Way fame. At Rowardennan there is Ben Lomond, Scotland’s most southerly munro.

West Stirlingshire Villages

Stirlingshire has many pretty village within the Park Life area. They include Buchlyvie, Fintry, Kippen, Gargunnock, Thornhill Ruskie, Killearn and Arnprior. All these villages have strong communities, staging popular and high quality events throughout the year.

The Trossachs

Back to the National Park and the Trossachs part of it. There is some spectacular scenery around the villages of Aberfoyle, Gartmore, Brig O Turk and Kilmahog. The road alongside Loch Ard that leads to Kinlochard and Stronachlachar is a beautiful drive or cycle. The Port of Menteith, famous for having Scotland’s only lake, provides access via boat to Inchmahome Island with its ruined monastery. This site and service is operated by Historic Scotland who look after the island. Aberfoyle has an excellent forest visitor centre, with wildlife hides and walks around the waterfall.

Historic Stirling, Callander & Loch Katrine

At the northern end of our area is Callander, which is really on the up during recent years. A number of excellent events take place throughout the year in the large tourist town. Close by is Bracklinn Falls, well worth a visit. Also close to Callander is Loch Katrine, with its 120 year old Steamship named after the 18th century writer Sir Walter Scott who helped to put it on the map. Then of course there is Stirling, with its historic castle and The National Wallace Monument.

The Park Life Area

This is a special place to live and work. Park Life Magazine is proud to cover this wonderful part of Scotland. Our aim is simple, to provide information to the local population about events, news, people and businesses. We are passionate about supporting local businesses, buy local is our motto as it is important to us all that they continue to flourish and provide us all with the best possible amenities.