The Trossachs Explorer – Frequently Asked Questions
The Trossachs Explorer is back on the road for summer 2025! From 7th July – 5th October, two low-emission, modern buses will run seven days a week between Drymen and Callander, stopping at popular visitor destinations including Aberfoyle, The Lodge, Ben Venue, Loch Katrine, Ben A’an, Brig o’ Turk and Kilmahog (for Ben Ledi). The service features 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.
We know that a lack of viable public transport options is a real barrier in encouraging people to leave the car at home when exploring parts of the National Park. This pilot service aims to address some of these challenges.
Too many cars cause high emissions, congestion and pressures on local communities. The lack of public transport options creates an inequality in terms of who can access the National Park, and all that it offers. An efficient, inclusive rural transport network that meets the needs of both visitors and residents is a crucial part of becoming a Net Zero National Park and will contribute to the overall vision of the National Park as a thriving place that is nature positive and carbon negative.
About the Service
The Trossachs Explorer is being piloted as part of a wider programme to develop longer-term sustainable travel across the National Park. The pilot will build on the learnings and success from 2024, trialling further enhancements and an expanded route. The shuttle bus will continue to test and learn what works both in terms of service operation and inspiring people to use more sustainable travel options to connect and protect the special environment of our National Park.
This year’s pilot service has been developed drawing on feedback and the evaluation report of the shuttle bus service trialled in 2024.
Changes we’re trialling this year include an extended service to Drymen, more stops, more connections to other public transport services, a new local operator and more accessible buses.
The Trossachs Explorer will run between Drymen and Callander, stopping at Aberfoyle, The Lodge, Ben Venue, Loch Katrine, Ben A’an, Brig o Turk, Kilmahog/Ben Ledi and Callander. This bus will be marked as the TEX service.
As each bus leaves/returns to the McColls depot in the Vale of Leven, the first two and last two buses of the day will stop at Alexandria train station, Vale of Leven hospital (North Street), Balloch bus stance and Gartocharn. This bus will be marked as the 309T service before it arrives in Drymen.
The timetable for this year’s Trossachs Explorer has been designed to strengthen connections with bus services to and from Killin (C60), Stirling (59), Balfron/Glasgow/Stirling (X10A), Balloch/Alexandria (309T), as well as Loch Katrine sailing times.
Please be aware that not all journeys connect and there may be delays to services. Please see the timetable for more details and track your journey through the myTrip app.
This year, the Trossachs Explorer will be operated by McColls who are based in the Vale of Leven. As McColls operate the current 309 service between Alexandria and Drymen, there is an opportunity to start the Trossachs Explorer in Drymen.
There is currently no public bus service between Drymen and Aberfoyle therefore this year’s pilot will be able to test and learn how a longer-term bus service might work.
Last year, the Trossachs Explorer was operated by Midland Bluebird who are based in Balfron. As Midland Bluebird operate the X10A from Glasgow to Stirling via Aberfoyle, there was an opportunity to extend the route to Balfron by linking in with this service.
This year, the operator is McColls who are based in the Vale of Leven. As McColls operate the 309 from Alexandria (through Balloch) to Drymen, there is an opportunity to extend the route to Drymen and, when the bus leaves/returns to the depot, Gartocharn, Balloch then Alexandria.
Where possible, this year’s Trossachs Explorer, will connect with the X10A at Aberfoyle to enable passengers to connect with Stirling/Glasgow/Balfron.
An all day adult ticket for the Trossachs Explorer (including the 309T) costs £6 adults/£3.50 kids/£5.65 students.
Group/family all day ticket for up to 5 people is £16.
If you’re planning to use the service regularly, you can buy a 7 journey saver ticket for £25.
Under 22’s and over 60’s travel for free with Scottish National Entitlement Card (NEC)
For people travelling on wider McColls bus services (including TEX, 207, 305 and 309), tickets cost £9.50 adult/£5 kids/£8 students.
An all day ticket for use on wider McColls bus services (including TEX, 207, 305 and 309) is £9.50 adult/£5 kids/£8 students.
Tickets can be purchased on the bus directly from the driver using cash or contactless payment. You must have exact fare as McColls don’t give change unfortunately. Tickets can also be bought on the myTrip app.
No need to book, just hop on at any of the stops along the route and purchase a ticket from the driver if you don’t have one already.
Please contact McColls with any day-to-day service issues by emailing customer.services@mccolls.org.uk or calling 01389 754 321.
You can track the Trossachs Explorer through the myTrip app that will show live GPS locations of the bus along the route, or via the live bus tracker on the McColl’s website.
Guide dogs, assistance dogs and learning dogs will have priority over any other animal. Dogs must be on a lead. Please note that we only allow one dog to travel at any one time on a bus. However, working dogs will never be refused from our vehicles, and should always wear the appropriate Hi-Viz harness to advise our drivers and other members of the public that the dog is there to assist its handler.
Yes this is permitted. Consumption of alcohol is prohibited.
Please be considerate of other passengers and take any rubbish home.
The Drymen stop is in the village square. The Aberfoyle stop is outside the Discovery Centre (previously VisitScotland’s iCentre) within the car park. The Callander stop is at Station Road.
The buses are fully accessible with space for a wheelchair user, hearing loop system and next stop announcements. The buses also offer USB charging points at each row of seats.
Each bus has space for 1 wheelchair and 1 pram. More prams can be accommodated depending on space and capacity at a specific time.
Although the bus can accommodate prams and buggies, a wheelchair will take precedence. If a wheelchair space is occupied by a buggy and a wheelchair user arrives on the bus, the buggy owner will be expected to fold the buggy to allow the wheelchair user to have access to this space. Please note, mobility scooters are not suitable to travel on any McColls buses.
The wheelchair space on the bus is designed for wheelchairs which are no bigger than 700mm wide, 1200mm long and 1350mm high.
Yes, a ramp can be requested at each stop which the driver will assist with.
Yes, there is a Changing Places Toilet in Aberfoyle.
Yes, drivers are aware as well as the Volunteer National Park Rangers who will also be assisting at times on the bus.
The stop at Kilmahog/Ben Ledi is on an uneven and unsurfaced grass verge, so we recommend that you check suitability for your personal needs in advance.
Park and Ride Options
Yes there are car parks at Drymen, Callander and Aberfoyle, but it is worth noting Callander offers far higher capacity. We would encourage all passengers to travel as sustainably as possible during their whole trip with connecting journeys available by bus and train.
All car parks are managed by Stirling Council. The car parks at Aberfoyle and Drymen are free to use, although capacity is limited.
For Callander, you can pay with cash or via the Ringo app. The car park is open Monday to Sunday from 08:45 – 17:30. Prices are:
£2.50 for up to 2 hours
£3.00 for 4 hours
£4.00 for all day parking.
Bikes and Storage
The buses won’t be able to accommodate bikes.
We have explored this and, thanks to McColls, have some ideas for the future. Please continue to feedback on your needs around bike capacity on buses like the Trossachs Explorer as this will be used to inform plans for any longer-term sustainable transport options in the National Park.
Bike hire is available in Aberfoyle, Callander and Loch Katrine.
There is a small luggage hold by the driver. Luggage and backpacks can be taken on board but we ask that you are considerate of other passengers and always follow instructions from the driver.
We are encouraging passengers to provide feedback on their experience as this will help us evaluate what works or doesn’t work when it comes to providing sustainable travel options like this in future. Please share your feedback by completing the short online survey or email feedback@lochlomond-trossachs.org.
