When you close your eyes and picture the perfect camping spot, what do you see? Tall, majestic trees closing off your tent from the rest of the world? A playful river trickling away in the distance? If you answered yes to any of the above, Cobleland is the perfect place for you to spend a camping getaway. Tucked away in the glorious confines of Trossachs National Park, this site is encircled by nature but remains just a few minutes’ drive away from some of Scotland’s biggest tourist attractions. Every day spent here promises a new kind of adventure – be it a stroll through the woodlands, a peek at the pier, or a journey to one of the famous surrounding cities.
Home to a staggering array of activities and escapades, seeing all of Cobleland during a short stay isn’t easy if you don’t know the area. That’s why we’ve put together this three-day itinerary, helping you to enjoy the best of the region without wasting a single second.
Day 1 – Discover the magic of The Trossachs
It’s the first day of your long weekend and you’ve just unpacked, pitched up, and shaken off the cobwebs from the journey. Now it’s time for an adventure, but where do you go to begin with? A smart choice is to get your bearings of the Cobleland Campsite area, and the best way to do that is to take a long stroll up to The Forestry Lodge in Aberfoyle.
Situated 3.5 miles away, a 30-minute walk to the lodge allows you to stretch your legs after a long drive and familiarise yourself with The Trossachs. Walking tours, waterfall trails, Go Ape obstacle courses, and wildlife watching spots are all ready and waiting upon arrival.
A little further north is Loch Katrine on Trossachs Pier – a stunning freshwater lake that attracts visitors from all over Scotland and beyond. Famous poets like Sir Walter Scott and William Wordsworth often turned to this lovely loch when in need of writing inspiration. Handily, there are bike hire facilities nearby too – meaning you can cover even more territory around Loch Katrine than you might have originally intended.
Day 2 – Schlep around Stirling
Stirling is one of Scotland’s most visited cities – swathed in sights aplenty. So much so, in fact, that we recommend you use the longest day of your vacation to see as much of it as you possibly can.
Stirling is located about 20 miles east of Cobleland Campsite, taking anywhere between 30 and 40 minutes by car depending on traffic. On the way you could stop off at Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park en route to Stirling. Monkeys, lemurs, foxes, elephants, rhinos, zebras, giraffes, deer, penguins, otters and many, many more animals reside in this spectacular wildlife centre. Sea lion shows, boat tours, and driving safaris also take place throughout the day, allowing you to get up close and personal with some of the most incredible creatures you’ve ever seen.
If you do choose to stop off, it’s around a 10 minute drive from the safari park to Stirling Castle after you’ve seen enough animals for one day. Stirling Castle is one of the grandest, most impressive looking structures in the United Kingdom – never mind Scotland –the castle is ordinarily open until the early evening, offering tours of the grounds and holding regular events throughout the season.
Visits to The Royal Palace, The Great Hall, and Regimental Museum guarantee a memorable experience, and you can boost those energy levels by tucking into some grub at the Unicorn Café. From the rooftop patio of this teashop you can also see the National Wallace Monument – which is where you should aim to go next.
A stunning tower standing on the summit of Abbey Craig hilltop, the National Wallace Monument is one of Stirling’s major tourist attractions and remains the city’s principal icon. It’s the kind of site where the walls speak a thousand tales, and it’s definitely something you shouldn’t miss whilst you’re in the area – especially if you like your history.
Day 3 – Meet the wonderful wildlife of Scotland
Waking up on your final day, you can end your visit to Cobleland Campsite on a high by journeying 18 miles south-west to the enchanting village of Balloch. Surrounded by avocado-coloured hills and fields, and sprinkled with riverside cafés, a short stroll around the region is rewarding enough. Nonetheless, both Sea Life Loch Lomond Aquarium and Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre sit close by, and if you have time it’s definitely worth swinging by to take a peek.
The Sea Life Centre boasts a calendar packed with events all year round – including tours, interactive underwater-themed exhibits, feeding sessions, VIP experiences, and even a cinema! From sharks all the way to clownfish and turtles, this dreamlike aquarium is dizzyingly fun for all the family.
To complete your nature fix, head to the nearby Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre. Home to nearly 40 different types of bird and several expert handlers, this wildlife venue offers visitors the opportunity to gaze at some of the most amazing winged animals in the country. It’s bound to give you the inspiration you need for that migration back home, and plenty of talking points for the car journey!
Secure a pitch at Cobleland today. You can also book a pitch by chatting to a member of our team – call 024 7642 3008 to get in touch and we can start organising your camping trip right away.
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