Strathyre
Quiet glen village on the A84
Verdict
Go if you want a quiet glen base for forest walks, cycling and Loch Lubnaig.
Skip if you want a busy loch shore with boats and a long list of shops. We have not verified what is open in the village.
- Village car park. Forestry and Land Scotland lists a village car park and picnic site. We have no verified charge, so check the signs.
- Bus stop at the village shop. OpenStreetMap shows a bus stop on the A84 at the village shop. Check Traveline Scotland for the C60 and Ember times.
- Cabins nearby
- 46
- Ben Ledi parking
- Free
- Bus to Callander
- C60
- Ember coach
- E4
Summer weekends are the busy times, mostly at the Ben Ledi car park, which can get very busy. The village itself is quiet. Check the forestry notices for ticks, open water safety and forestry works before you walk.
Strathyre in photos
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Is Strathyre worth it?
Strathyre is worth it if you want a quiet wooded glen as a base rather than a busy loch shore. The village sits on the A84 between Callander and Lochearnhead, with a village car park and picnic site, forest trails, Loch Lubnaig to the south and Ben Ledi above it. Staying overnight? See Strathyre hotels and B&Bs for the options.
Go if you want
Forest walks, a quiet night and an easy drive to Callander or Killin. The nearest public toilets, shops and cafes for the Ben Ledi car park are in Strathyre or Callander.
Think twice if you want
A big choice of food and shops, or boats on the water. Look at the month-by-month weather before you choose a season. Bringing a tent or motorhome? Camping permits explained covers the permit zones from March to September, and you should check whether your pitch is inside one.
Parking & getting there
Strathyre village car park and picnic site
- Village car park
- Forestry and Land Scotland lists a village car park and picnic site as the starting point for the forest. We have no verified charge, hours or toilet details, so check the signs.
- Ben Ledi car park
- No charge to park, but it can get very busy on summer weekends. Postcode FK17 8HF, off the A84 between Kilmahog and the south end of Loch Lubnaig.
- Notices
- The forestry page carries notices for ticks, open water safety and forestry works. Read them before you walk.
Last checked 12 Oct 2026
Car-free
Stirling Council’s C60 bus runs between Killin and Callander via Kilmahog, Strathyre and Lochearnhead, and Ember E4 coaches on the Edinburgh to Fort William run call at Strathyre. We have no verified times or fares, so check Traveline Scotland on the day. Getting there without a car covers the wider routes. If you are driving to the loch shores, car parks around the loch compares the options.
When it is busy
Editorial estimate of a typical summer day at the village and the Ben Ledi car park, not measured counts. No fill times are published.
| Day | 9:00 | 10:00 | 11:00 | 12:00 | 13:00 | 14:00 | 15:00 | 16:00 | 17:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weekday | Quiet | Quiet | Quiet | Steady | Steady | Steady | Steady | Quiet | Quiet |
| Saturday | Quiet | Steady | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Steady | Quiet |
| Sunday | Quiet | Steady | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Steady | Quiet |
Q QuietS SteadyB BusyF Car park full
Tip: arrive before 10:00 at Ben Ledi on a fine weekend. The village is easier at any time.
Things to do in Strathyre
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Forest trails from the village
Forestry and Land Scotland describes Strathyre as a quiet wooded glen with a trail network, reached from the village car park and picnic site. The name comes from the Gaelic for broad winding valley. Check the forestry notices for ticks, open water safety and forestry works first.
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Loch Lubnaig
The southern end of Loch Lubnaig is where the trails to Ben Ledi and the Forest Holidays cabins start. It is the nearest sizeable loch to the village, and the A84 runs beside it on the way to Callander.
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Ben Ledi
The Ben Ledi car park is off the A84 between Kilmahog and the south end of Loch Lubnaig, with no charge to park. The summit has a cairn built in 1887 and an iron cross memorial, with views of Loch Lubnaig, Loch Venachar, Ben Lomond and the Arrochar Alps. National Cycle Route 7 passes the car park.
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Rob Roy and Balquhidder
The area has strong links with Rob Roy MacGregor, the 18th-century outlaw, whose grave can be visited at Balquhidder kirkyard. Check the distance and parking on a route planner.
1 hour, 3 hours or a full day
1 hour
A quick stop (suggested timings)
- 0:00 Park at the village car park and check the signs for any charge.
- 0:15 Walk the village and the River Balvaig, or use the picnic site.
- 0:50 Back to the car, with a hot drink from the village if you can find one open.
3 hours
Forest and loch
- 0:00 Start from the village car park and choose a forest trail (suggested timing).
- 1:30 Turn back, or drive south to Loch Lubnaig for a lochside stop.
- 3:00 Finish in the village.
A full day
Ben Ledi
- 9:00 Arrive early at the free Ben Ledi car park, which can get very busy on summer weekends.
- 9:30 Climb Ben Ledi for the views, and allow plenty of time because we have no verified timing here.
- 16:00 Back to Strathyre or Callander for food and toilets.
Eat & drink
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Village food and shops
Forestry and Land Scotland says the nearest public toilets, shops and cafes for the Ben Ledi car park are in Strathyre or Callander. We have not verified individual names or opening hours, so check on the day.
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Picnic site
A picnic site is listed beside the village car park, so bring lunch if you want a fixed plan.
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Callander
If Strathyre is closed, Callander has the wider choice. We have not verified specific places.
Where to stay near Strathyre
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Questions people ask
What's in Strathyre?
A quiet wooded glen village on the A84 with a village car park and picnic site, forest trails, Loch Lubnaig to the south and the Ben Ledi hill above it. It has links with Rob Roy MacGregor, whose grave is at Balquhidder kirkyard. We have not verified individual shops or cafes, so check opening hours.
Where is Strathyre?
On the A84 between Callander and Lochearnhead, in Forestry and Land Scotland’s Queen Elizabeth Forest Park. Stirling Council’s C60 bus and Ember E4 coaches serve it.
Are the Strathyre cabins in the village?
No. The 46 Forest Holidays cabins sit at the southern end of Loch Lubnaig, not in the village, and most have 2 parking spaces. Callander is the nearest town, and you need a car, taxi or bus to reach them.
Is there parking at Strathyre?
Yes: Forestry and Land Scotland lists a village car park and picnic site. We have no verified charge, so check the signs. The Ben Ledi car park is free but can get very busy on summer weekends.
How do I get to Strathyre without a car?
By Stirling Council’s C60 bus from Callander or Killin, or by an Ember E4 coach on the Edinburgh to Fort William route. Check Traveline Scotland for times.
Can I camp near Strathyre?
The National Park’s campsite list shows Immervoulin Caravan & Camping Park in Strathyre, taking tents and motorhomes or campervans. The camping byelaw season runs from 1 March to 30 September in permit zones, so check whether a wild pitch is inside one.
Are there midges and ticks?
Yes in summer. Midge season runs from late May to early September, peaking in July and August, and the forestry page carries a notice for ticks. Cover up and check yourself after a walk.
Is Strathyre worth a stop?
Yes if you are driving the A84 and want a quiet forest and loch break. More villages are compared in choose a base.
Nearby places
- North on the A84LochearnheadThe next village north, on the C60 and Ember E4 route.
- South on the A84CallanderThe nearest town, with the wider choice of food and shops.
- On the C60 routeKillinThe end of the C60 bus route, at the Falls of Dochart.
- RelatedBen VorlichA hill route guide for walkers using this part of the Trossachs as a base.