Glen Finglas

People have been coming to Glen Finglas for centuries, drawn by the natural beauty of the Trossachs, which some describe as the Highlands in miniature – all the contrasts of mountains and water but on a much more intimate scale. Pre –Raphaelite painters such as Millais and writers such as Sir Walter Scott were particularly attracted by the wealth of legend attached to the area, which was immortalised by Sir Walter Scott, who mentioned the burn in “Lady of the Lake” and wrote at great length about it in his epic poem ”Glenfinlas”.

Once part of a royal deer forest where kings, from the time of David and James II onwards, came to hunt. In the early 19th century the glen was a conduit for cattle drovers and whisky smugglers. It was also a stronghold for the clans of Stewart and MacGregor. Nowadays Glen Finglas is tranquil. Sitting at the heart of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park it provides a whole range of recreational opportunities.

The Woodland Trust Scotland acquired the massive 4,000 hectare estate in 1996. The addition of the adjacent Milton Glen in 2004, on a 51 year lease, together with the purchase of Lendrick Plantation, in 2002 and Bochastle field, in 2006, extend the Trust’s management to 4,863 ha(12000 acres). It is the Trust’s largest property and took the Trust into managing livestock on a significant scale for the first time; in 2006, the estate ran 1,200 blackface ewes and 100 Luing cows. This had been reduced to 600 sheep and 120 cows by the end of 2008, then further, to 50-100 ewes and 120 cattle (including 60 steers, castrated males) in 2012.

Glen Finglas was once covered with alder, birch, oak hazel, rowan and willow, but over the centuries the ancient woodland has been reduced to scattered remnants. Our plan is to restore woodpasture across the estate creating a vast mosaic of woodland, scattered trees and open ground.

The Glen Finglas estate sweeps from just below the summit of Ben Ledi down to the shores of Loch Venacher. The best way to get an idea of the scale of the estate is to do the popular 15 mile circular walk right around Meall Cala. However if that sounds too much don’t worry Glen Finglas has walks for everyone ranging from 15 minutes to 15 miles.

Glen Finglas is derived from the Gaelic Gleann Fionnghlais ( Glen of the White Water).

Ben Ledi means Mountain of God.

Legend has it that during the time of the great plague in 1500 the people of Glen Finglas burned the Juniper trees for 3 days to keep the plague away.

Luing cattle were developed by the Cadzow family on the island of Luing off the west coast of Scotland.

John Ruskin was a regular visitor. His most famous portrait by Sir John Everret Millais was painted at Brig o’Turk.

At the far side of Glen Finglas reservoir is a knoll called “Tom Bhuide” or the yellow hill. This is thought to be the site of the old Hunt Hall built for James II in the 1400s.

The bridge at Brig o’ Turk featured in the original film version (1935) of John Buchan’s book “39 steps”.

Woodland historians believe that Glen Finglas is home to one of the largest collections of ancient trees in Scotland.

Lendrick hill was originally planted in 1998-99 but suffered from severe fire in 2003, destroying million trees.