Loch Achray Lake
Freshwater loch amidst Trossachs woodlands
A freshwater loch in the Trossachs area of Scotland, surrounded by walking trails and mixed woodlands. Anglers, hillwalkers and cyclists use the loch as a base for local routes.
Loch Achray at a Glance#
Address: Loch Achray, Trossachs (near Callander), Stirling, Scotland, UK
About Loch Achray#
Loch Achray is a small freshwater loch in the Trossachs area of central Scotland, within Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. It lies in a wooded, hill-fringed landscape between larger nearby lochs.
The loch is framed by forest and hills and is commonly used for short walks, picnics and shoreline views; roads and car parks nearby provide easy day-visitor access. The setting is compact and well suited to short circular walks and viewpoints along the adjacent minor roads.
The loch and its immediate surroundings have long been used for local recreation and informal fishing rather than as a major historic site. Management focuses on public access and the conservation of the surrounding woodland.
Geographically the loch sits in the Trossachs, between the better-known Loch Katrine and Loch Venachar, and is approached from local roads serving the small towns and villages of the area.
- Park access: Located within Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, the loch is flanked by mixed woodland and short walking routes that are suitable for day visits.
How to Get to Loch Achray#
By car: Loch Achray lies beside the A84 between Callander and Lochearnhead in the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs area. The easiest way is to drive from the town of Callander along the A84; there are roadside laybys and small car parks close to the loch shore.
By public transport: the nearest railhead is Stirling; from Stirling take a local bus or a short taxi ride to Callander and then drive or walk a few minutes from the A84 laybys to the loch.
Tips for Visiting Loch Achray#
- Visit at first light for glassy water and reflections of surrounding hills-early mornings are usually the calmest and quietest.
- Use the A821 laybys and small car parks near the loch for the easiest access; from the road you can reach short shore walks without committing to longer hikes.
- Don't assume everyone will head to nearby Loch Katrine-Loch Achray is often much quieter, so take the shore path east of the road to enjoy views with fewer people.
Best Time to Visit Loch Achray#
Aim for late spring to summer (May-September) for the most pleasant conditions and longest daylight around the loch.
Weather & Climate near Loch Achray#
Loch Achray's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 0°C to 17°C. Abundant rainfall (1639 mm/year), wettest in January.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 0° - 5° | -1° | 206 mm | overcast | 95% | 4.3 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.4h |
| February | Poor | 1° - 6° | -1° | 135 mm | overcast | 94% | 4.1 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.3h |
| March | Poor | 1° - 7° | 1° | 136 mm | overcast | 91% | 4.1 m/s | 0.3 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 3° - 10° | 4° | 81 mm | overcast | 87% | 3.7 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 14.0h |
| May | Acceptable | 5° - 13° | 7° | 93 mm | overcast | 84% | 3.4 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 16.2h |
| June | Good | 8° - 15° | 12° | 82 mm | overcast | 85% | 3.3 m/s | 1.1 high | 17.3h |
| July | Good | 10° - 17° | 13° | 94 mm | overcast | 86% | 3.2 m/s | 1.0 high | 16.8h |
| August | Acceptable | 10° - 17° | 13° | 114 mm | overcast | 88% | 3.0 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 14.9h |
| September | Poor | 8° - 14° | 11° | 156 mm | overcast | 90% | 3.4 m/s | 0.5 low | 12.6h |
| October | Poor | 6° - 11° | 6° | 184 mm | overcast | 92% | 3.5 m/s | 0.2 low | 10.2h |
| November | Poor | 3° - 8° | 2° | 179 mm | overcast | 94% | 3.7 m/s | 0.0 low | 8.0h |
| December | Poor | 1° - 6° | 0° | 179 mm | overcast | 95% | 3.8 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.7h |
