Gartmore Village in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park East

Gartmore is perfect for those that love walking or cycling, there are hundreds of kilometers of forest track easily accessible from here. Although it is a very small village it has a lot of character, a good pub/ hotel and a close knit community. 

If you visit this area it is always worth checking if the local "Gartmore Gala" coincides with your summer visit. At any other time the forest will call. Both the Rob Roy Way and Cycle Track 7 pass Gartmore and visitors can benefit from the warm welcome provided by accommodation providers in this area and nearby Aberfoyle

Gartmore House is nearby and was built in early 18th century, it was extensively modernised and enlarged in 1780. The designer involved at that time was the famed John Baxter. Gartmore House is now a thriving business, offering many corporate services.

Photographs Courtesy of Photographscotland.com

There is a memorial to Robert Cunninghame Graham (formerly Robert Bontine) in Gartmore, it was moved to Gartmore from Dumbarton in 1981.  Graham was well known as a politician in the end of the nineteenth century and his main concern (apart from making disparaging remarks about the house of lords) was the plight of the unemployed and low paid workers. He campaigned long and hard for an 8 hour day for workers and was involved in a free speech demonstration in London in 1887 which was broken up by the London police. He was later sent to Pentonville Jail for a number of weeks for his involvement.

Graham was also co founder of the Scottish Independence Association with his close friend James Keir Hardie. Graham was not only a noteworthy politician, but before his death in 1932 he had also written a great number of books including short stories and travel books.