On the arrival afternoon, drive the Duke's Pass. Take the A81 south through Aberfoyle, then follow the A821 over the pass towards Trossachs Pier on the eastern tip of Loch Katrine. The road climbs through the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, and the descent to Loch Achray at the top is one of the best short drives in Scotland.

On day four, catch the morning sailing from Trossachs Pier on the Sir Walter Scott steamship. This 1899 vessel makes the two-hour return run to Stronachlachar at the loch's western end. Alternatively, take the boat one way and cycle back along the quiet north shore track (bicycles available for hire at the pier). In the afternoon, walk the Bracklinn Falls path from the car park above Callander: the 30-minute return takes you to a suspension bridge above a dramatic gorge.

Rob Roy MacGregor is buried at Balquhidder Kirkyard, 15 minutes northwest on the B8074/A84. His grave, marked simply "MacGregor Despite Them", is a quieter and more affecting stop than many of the dedicated attractions in the area.

Practical tip: Loch Katrine boat sailings run late March to October. Book the Sir Walter Scott steamer in advance for summer sailings.

Day 5: Killin and Loch Tay

Drive north from Callander on the A84, then northwest on the A85 through Lochearnhead, joining the A827 at Lix Toll to reach Killin. The drive takes around 45 minutes. The Falls of Dochart are visible from the road bridge as you enter the village; park in the main car park and walk back to the old stone bridge for the best view.

The falls cascade through the centre of Killin in a series of wide, irregular rapids rather than a single plunge, which makes them more dramatic rather than less. The effect intensifies after heavy rain. The Clan MacNab burial ground sits on an island in the river, accessible on foot in summer.

For walkers, the Ben Lawers National Nature Reserve sits above the south shore of Loch Tay, reached from a minor road east of Killin. The waymarked path to the summit at 1,214 metres takes around six hours return. The NTS visitor centre on the upper road provides trail maps and weather forecasts.

Practical tip: Fill up with fuel before leaving Callander. Killin has one petrol station and the Inveraray road through Crianlarich and Tyndrum has limited options.

Days 6 and 7: Inveraray

From Killin, take the A827 west to join the A85 near Lix Toll, then head west through Crianlarich and Tyndrum. At Dalmally, turn south on the A819 through Glen Aray to Inveraray. The drive takes around 1 hour 20 minutes, and Glen Aray is a handsome introduction to Argyll's broader, greener glens.

Inveraray is a planned town, laid out from scratch in the 1740s by the 3rd Duke of Argyll after he decided the existing village was too close to his new castle. The result is a coherent Georgian streetscape on the banks of Loch Fyne, Scotland's longest sea loch.

Inveraray Castle opens April to October. The armoury hall rises six storeys; its walls hold more than 1,300 muskets, pistols, and swords in geometric arrangements. The state rooms above give a clear picture of how successive Dukes of Argyll have lived here for nearly three centuries. The castle remains a private home, so check current seasonal hours before visiting.

Inveraray Jail fills a full day on its own. The complex includes a 19th-century courtroom and a working prison, with costumed interpreters maintaining the period setting. It consistently rates as one of the more engaging living history museums in Scotland.

On day seven, drive ten minutes north on the A83 to the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar at Cairndow. The farm has been cultivating oysters and mussels in the loch since the early 1980s. The kippers, smoked salmon, and native oysters are as good as anything on the west coast. Return to Inveraray for the Dun na Cuaiche hillwalk: a three-mile loop up to an 18th-century watchtower with views of the entire town and loch.

Practical tip: The George Hotel has operated since 1860 and is the most reliable dinner option in town. The bar stocks an extensive range of Scottish whiskies.

Day 8: Luss and Loch Lomond

Drive east from Inveraray on the A83. The road crosses the Rest and Be Thankful, a 244-metre mountain pass through the Arrochar Alps, before dropping to Arrochar and Tarbet at the head of Loch Lomond. Follow the A82 south to Luss. The drive takes around one hour.

Luss sits directly on Loch Lomond's western shore. The stone cottages lining the river through the village were built by the Colquhoun estate in the 19th century to replace the original medieval settlement. Luss Parish Church stands on a site occupied since the sixth century; the current building is 19th-century but the churchyard holds grave slabs from the seventh and eighth centuries alongside an 11th-century Viking hogback stone.

From the pier, the Loch Lomond waterbus connects Luss with Balloch, Balmaha, Inveruglas, and the inhabited islands. A return trip to Inchcailloch, the island nature reserve, takes around 90 minutes. Swimmers can enter the loch from the shingle beach south of the pier.

Practical tip: Luss is very busy on summer weekends and has limited accommodation. Book several weeks ahead and plan to arrive early or late in the day to avoid day-tripper crowds.

Day 9: Return to Stirling

The loop closes on day nine with a 50-minute drive back to Stirling via the A82 north to Balloch, then east on the A811 through Balfron and Kippen. If time allows before returning a hire car, divert briefly on the A81 to the Lake of Menteith: Scotland's only natural lake (technically a lake rather than a loch, for reasons still debated by geographers). The ferry to Inchmahome Priory runs in summer.

Route at a Glance

Practical Information

Best time: May to September for boat trips, hiking conditions, and the longest days. Late May and September offer the same scenery as peak summer with fewer visitors.

Budget: A mid-range budget covers B&Bs, small hotels, and restaurant dinners throughout. Callander and Inveraray have the widest dining choice; book ahead in Killin and Luss.

Car: Any standard hire car handles every stage. There are no single-track roads on the main route. EV chargers are available in Callander, Inveraray, and Balloch.