Trossachs Explorer bus returns for summer 2025 season
To mark the occasion, members of the National Authority team joined drivers from McColl's, the company operating the service, to exchange knowledge on the route.
Trossachs Explorer driver Colin MacDonald and National Park Authority Ranger Team Leader Suzanne Humphries (Image: Supplied) This move aims to ensure passengers have the best experience and learn more about the national park landscape during their journey.
The service features two low-emission, modern buses running daily between Drymen and Callander.
Read more:
Glasgow children invited to write poem about classic British vegetable
They stop at popular visitor spots including Aberfoyle, The Lodge, Ben Venue, Loch Katrine, Ben A'an, Brig o' Turk, and Kilmahog for Ben Ledi.
Gordon Watson, chief executive at Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority, said: "Following the success of last years' service, we're delighted to welcome the Trossachs Explorer back on the road this summer - helping visitors and residents to build deeper connections with nature, while doing their part to reduce emissions and protect our National Park for future generations.
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park join McColls bus drivers for Trossachs Explorer launch in Drymen (Image: Supplied) "The expanded service helps us directly tackle the challenge that 79% of visitors to the National Park arrive by car, while also opening up opportunities for young people, families without cars, and staff working in local businesses who need reliable transport options.
"Services like this prove that rural areas can lead the way in demonstrating multiple benefits to visitors, residents and local businesses.'
The service also offers improved connectivity with coordinated timetables linking existing bus services to and from Killin, Stirling, Glasgow, Alexandria, and Balloch, as well as Loch Katrine sailing times.
All-day tickets cost £6 for adults, £3.50 for children, and £5.65 for students.
Group or family tickets are £16 for up to five people.
A seven-journey saver ticket is available for £25.
Under 22s and over 60s travel free with a National Entitlement Card.
Cllr Jen Preston, convener of Stirling Council's Environment, Transport and Net Zero Committee said: 'There's a clear appetite for sustainable and well-connected public transport options in rural Stirling, and in particular to the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, which this service responds to."
Liam McColl, director of McColl's, said: 'This is a real opportunity to show what rural public transport can achieve when it's planned around local needs, environmental priorities and visitor access.
'Our team has worked closely with the National Park Authority to design a timetable that provides reliable, accessible connections - not just for visitors, but for local people too.'
This summer, the service will trial further enhancements and route expansions as part of ongoing efforts to provide sustainable travel options, reduce congestion, ease parking pressures, and help people connect with and protect the national park's environment.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
Fury as mum-of-six reserves sun beds then leaves Spanish resort for breakfast
Nothing is more frustrating than rocking up to your holiday swimming pool and finding a solitary towel reserving a sunbed. It is not just the realisation that you lost the sunbed war, but that you lost it to someone who's not even there. Well, a British mum has sparked fury after she admitted bagging sunbeds for her big family, just to head out for the day. Mother-of-six Stephanie, 29, posted a clip of her holiday to Fuerteventura in Las Palmas, Spain, revealing she claims the loungers early in the morning before heading off to breakfast and a shopping trip. The 'day in the life' video has wracked up more than 120,000 views and has been met with criticism questioning her tactics. Stephanie told her followers: 'First things first, we have to claim our sunbeds at the pool area. We have come as a big family so we have to be there early.' However instead of heading for a swim straight away, the family ditch the pool entirely to go for breakfast elsewhere in town. After enjoying an 'amazing' full english, the mum then went shopping while the towels reserved the sunbeds. It was only after the trip that the family headed back to the pool and made use of the loungers. Keyboard warriors were quick to jump on the video and criticise Stephanie for reserving the beds then heading into town. One commented: 'I can't believe you claim the sunbeds and then leave.' Another wrote: 'Why claim sun beds if you're going out for the day?' A third TikToker suggested hotels should take action to stop this kind of behaviour. They said: 'All hotels should do the same thing. After 30 minutes of not being on sun lounger, towels are removed and other people get them.' The social media storm follows a study which revealed which parts of the UK are worst for reserving sunbeds abroad. More Trending The West Midlands came in first, with 15% of locals admitting to waking up early to reserve a lounger. The situation was similar in Wales, North East England, the North West or Northern Ireland, where 13% fessed up to this controversial practice. The best behaved were Yorkshire and the Humber and South West England. Just 8% of holidaymakers admitted to being a sunbed hogger, according to GetYourGuide. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Swimmers flee in terror after woman suffers wound from mystery creature MORE: UK's 'most expensive' train cancelled for the second time this month MORE: Airline founded by UK millionaire 'parks' only plane — after two return flights
Time Out
2 hours ago
- Time Out
The British seaside city that is officially one of the best places in the world for nightlife
There are so many factors that go into making a good city great. For somewhere to truly be one of the best places in the world, it needs fantastic food, diverse and exciting culture, efficient public transport and a welcoming vibe. It should also be able to offer you a really, really good night out. So, with that in mind, Time Out has quizzed thousands of city natives across the world on how they rate the nightlife in their locale. While we know that places like London, Manchester and Leeds do all offer brilliant nights out (just take a look at our list of the country's greatest club nights), there was just one UK city that ranked in the global top 20 best nightlife cities in the world. Brighton was the only British city to make the cut. With 81 percent of locals rating the city's nightlife either 'good' or 'amazing', it landed seventh on our list, just beneath some of the planet's better known clubbing meccas like Las Vegas, Madrid and Berlin. Liv Kelly, Time Out's travel writer and Brighton local, explains that the city's thriving after-dark scene owes a lot to its queer population (which has earned it the title of the UK's Gay Capital). Our survey found that Brighton is one of the world's most diverse and inclusive cities, with 64 percent of its residents describing it 'welcoming and friendly' – the perfect recipe for a good time. Liv said said: 'At Brighton's nighttime core is the deep-rooted role that LGBTQ+ spaces – which began cropping up way back in the '20s and '30s – have played.' She shouts out 'veteran queer institutions' Legends and Revenge as well as more recent additions like lesbian club night Crushed and disco rave collective TidalGroove. If it's a more lowkey night out that you're after, Brighton can do that too. When it comes to 'more intimate, sound-led venues and bars', Liv recommends The Well, Helm or Alphabet. You can see all our favourite Brighton bars here. And you're in good hands for the morning after. The seaside city was one the the top ranking UK spots when Time Out asked people what they thought of the food scene in their hometown. Starfish & Coffee, Egg & Spoon and Café Coho all serve up stellar brunches that'll bring you back to life.
Daily Record
5 hours ago
- Daily Record
Turkish holidaymakers warned not get caught out after sudden 'ban'
Tourists have been told to 'act now' before it's too late. Holidaymakers heading to Turkey this summer are being warned of a new ban which could cause 'serious issues' for Brits. In recent days, the country has introduced a ban on eSIMs, reportedly blocking access to numerous global eSIM platforms including Airalo, Holafly, Saily, Nomad, Instabridge and more. Tourists will now need to purchase local sim cards or incur extortionate roaming fees to use their mobile data, unless they make this important change at the airport. As reported by The Freedom of Expression Association (İFÖD) earlier this month, the move prevents access in Turkey to the websites and apps of the affected eSIM companies. Travel expert at Holafly Juan David Soler, warned British holidaymakers to act fast and make the following changes before heading to Turkey. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. He said: "Turkey's sudden ban on eSIMs has caught many travellers off guard, and it's vital that UK holidaymakers heading there this summer take action before they fly. "eSIMs have become the go-to option for Brits wanting affordable mobile data abroad without the hassle of physical SIMs or costly roaming. But now, travellers will no longer be able to activate a new eSIM once they arrive in Turkey. "To avoid getting caught out, UK travellers should ensure their eSIM is fully downloaded and activated before leaving the UK. This means setting up your digital SIM while still on UK networks, and confirming it's working properly before departure. Otherwise, you could be left without internet access the moment you land, which can be a serious issue if you rely on your phone for maps, transport, or bookings." Tourists will need to make sure they take certain steps before they travel to make sure their eSIM service still works. These include: Buy your eSIM before departure: Your chosen eSIM's online store will not work once you land. Install your eSIM before arrival: Use your QR or manual installation code to set up your eSIM before you travel. You can delay activation by keeping data roaming 'off' until you land. Save your QR code or eSIM installation code locally: This way, you can install your eSIM in Turkey without needing the provider's website or app. Download a secure VPN: Without a VPN, you will not be able to manage your eSIM solution digitally, check for remaining data usage, or contact customer service. eSIMs have become popular in recent years for travelers as it means they no longer have to swap their physical sim card but can still benefit from cheap mobile data. Travellers who use the internet for maps, booking transport and more will be seriously affected by the change.
