Visiting Queen Elizabeth Forest Park

Visiting Queen Elizabeth Forest Park...
Where the Highlands, and the forest adventure, begin...
The Queen Elizabeth Forest Park is made up of 3 landscapes; Rugged Strathyre Forest for adventurous exploration, Reflective East Loch Lomond for peace and tranquility and Inspiring Trossachs for inspiration and exhilaration amongst hills and lochs. The area was first designated as a Forest Park by the Forestry Commission in 1953 to mark the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
For many visitors the attraction of the park lies in the peace and quiet, the magnificent views and the wide range of activities and facilities. The hub of the park is the David Marshall Lodge Visitor Centre which has ample parking, wheelchair access, toilets, the Bluebell Café, and picnic area. From here, you can pick up a range of leaflets and guides to help you find your way around the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, with lots of information about walking, cycling and wildlife watching in the area.

4 Easy Trails to discover...
Waterfall Trail:
The Waterfall Trail provides a light-hearted look at wildlife, folklore, forest life and geology whilst enjoying a gentle, short walk. The Little Fawn waterfall appears as if by magic from the depths of the forest. Sit and enjoy the cool breeze from the waterfall before either going further on another trail or slowly meander back to the visitor centre.

Oak Coppice Trail:
Following on from the Waterfall Trail, take a step back in time to see how the oakwoods were managed for 300-400 years by the Dukes of Montrose.

 

Family Friendly Forest Trails:
Learn more about the forest food trail depicted through sculptures of birds and mammals that live in the forest.
Fun, interactive and educational – a must do activity at Queen Elizabeth Forest Park!

 

Achray: From the waterfall trail the path follows the route of an old drovers road as far as the Dukes Pass. Here the trail crosses the road and continues to climb through an open, regenerating native woodland. As the path rises there are suberb views across the Carse of Stirling and south towards the Gargunnock Hills and Campsie Fells. The trail then returns to the David Marshall Lodge on the forest road through the mature conifers of Achray Forest.
Please take care, heavy timber haulage in this area.

Dates for your diary!
Events that start at the David Marshall Lodge:
Easter Fun Day:
Sunday 23rd March, 11.00am – 4.00pm
Egg hunting, bird box building, rubber duck racing and much more!

Tramping Through The Trossachs:
Tues 1st April – Wednesday 16th April
Bag A Munro:

Saturday 3rd May, 9.00am
An opportunity to climb Ben Lomond
Bluebell Festival:

Saturday 10th May – Sunday 8th June
Enjoy the spectacular displays of bluebells in the woods
Enchanted Forest:

Sunday 18th May, 2.00pm – 3.30pm
Join the Walking Theatre Company and find your Celtic Tree
Kids Summer Nature Club:

Saturday 26th July, 11.00am – 12.30pm
A must for all young budding rangers
Wood & Forest Fair:

Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd August, 11.00am – 4.00pm
A celebration of all things wooden!

Halloween Party Night:
Friday 31st October, 4.30pm – 8.00pm
Fire eater, juggler, magicians and ghost stories by the fire!
BBQ & drinks, £8 per person.
Very popular. Book in advance!

For more events and information contact the David Marshall Lodge Visitor Centre on 01877 382258
or pick up an events 2008 brochure from the Visitor Centre.
Information provided in association with Forestry Commission Scotland
Cowal & Trossachs Forest District
www.forestry.gov.uk/qefp

David Marshall Lodge
The David Marshall Lodge Visitor Centre within the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park is open daily from 10am to 6pm, March 1st to December 24th and then at weekends only during January and February (although times may vary). Audio visual exhibits introduce you to the forest park with displays, an Osprey & Wildlife viewing room, exhibitions, the newly refurbished Bluebell Café, wheelchair access, picnic sites and toilet facilities.
The forest park itself covers 50,000 acres of land consisting of a mixture of commercial forest, semi-natural and ancient woodland and is managed by Forest Enterprise. Within the boundaries of the park are 3 main forests; Loch Ard Forest, Achray Forest and Strathyre Forest. These are particularly suitable for walkers and cyclists with many waymarked paths. The David Marshall Lodge is situated on the A821 just outside Aberfoyle. From Stirling/Callander, follow the A81 to Aberfoyle via Dukes Pass. See page 5 of this guide for detailed information on popular walks and routes around the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park. Tel: 01877 382258

Accommodation / Eating out / Sport, walks and leisure / Visitor attractions / Historic attractions / Doune / Aberfoyle & the historic trail / Queen Elizabeth Forest Park / The Village of Killin and it's Historic trail / What's On / Maps