| Great escapes: Scotland 6 |
Loch Lomond is Britain's largest inland area of water (71 sq km). It's a staggering place. At some points, the loch is as deep as 190m, and the water it holds is amongst the purest in Scotland. Additionally, a quarter of all Britain's wild plants grow in this area alone with 200 species of birds. So special is this area that it has been decreed a National Park.
Loch Lomond is also stunningly beautiful in its entirety - 34km long by 7.2km wide - and caters for all manner of activities including walking, cycling, cruising, and water skiing.
At Stirling station, zero your car's trip meter. Turn left. At 0.2 miles turn right for Balloch, Erskine Bridge (A 811). At the end of this short spur turn right. At 0.4 miles turn right at the traffic lights. At 0.5 miles turn left at the next set of lights, and then right at the mini roundabout (1.2 miles) onto the A811. At 18.7 miles turn left, then right following signs for Erskine Bridge, Balloch A811. Follow the signs for Balloch, tourist information and
town centre. park next to the tourist information centre.
1. Balloch Castle
Balloch is one of the most popular spots in West Central Scotland for day-trippers from the Glasgow area. Balloch sits at one end of the river Leven and at the foot of Loch Lomond.
1A
From the town, walk through the country park to Balloch Castle, built in 1808 for John Buchanan of Ardoch, one of the original partners of the Glasgow Ship Bank. There had previously been a castle near this site in1238 - the residence of the Earl of Lennox.
2A Cruises are one of the best ways to enjoy Loch Lomond. They leave from Balloch courtesy of Sweeney's Cruises and Mullen's Cruises. Though none now go as far as the head of the loch, they are nonetheless a pleasant diversion. A cruise with Sweeney will cost £4.90 for adults, and £2.50 for children £2.50 (under 5s free). The tour which takes in Inchmurrin lasts about an hour. The island was named after St Mirrin, who founded an early Christian church there.
3A Those interested in steam or shipping should walk along to Balloch Pier. Here is moored the 1953-built Maid of the Loch - the last-ever paddle steamer to be made for use on Loch Lomond, thereby ending a 150-year old tradition.
For those who might think she is just another pleasure boat, you're wrong. People in Balloch, and in the West of Scotland consider it morally wrong - indeed, a bit of an outrage - that this much-loved, graceful steamer isn't working her home waters and has been left to rot. The fact is that following accumulated trading losses she was laid up in 1981, after which she sat rusting away while various parties stripped her of her fine brasswork and elegant interior fittings.
Happily, a restoration project was launched in 1993 and the boat is now a new visitor attraction with caf_, restaurant and bar. The venture is still in its infancy while the owner (the Loch Lomond Steamship Company, a registered charity) tries to raise funds for a new boiler. By buying a souvenir or two from its stall, it is hoped that tourists can help put the Maid of the Loch firmly back in service.
Zero your car's trip meter as you leave the car park and turn right. Turn left at 0.2 miles for Glasgow A82, then at 0.3 miles turn right at the roundabout towards Glasgow, Erskine Bridge and Crianlarich A811 (A82). At 0.7 miles turn right onto the A82 Crianlarich road. At 2.0 miles turn right for
the Duck Bay Hotel and Marina.
Turn immediately left at the mini-roundabout and park anywhere on your right, from 2.2 miles onwards.
2. Duck Bay Marina
Duck Bay is another favourite for day-trippers and tourists alike. There are picnic tables, pleasant, open grassland for kids to play on - and all this on the shores of Loch Lomond.
If you're hungry, try the Duck Bay Hotel. Although the prices there are steeper than average it is worth it as the hotel is in such a beautiful location. And, if the weather is right, sitting on the terrace is thoroughly enjoyable.
Don't zero your car's trip meter but continue along the bay until 2.8 miles then turn right, to return on the A82.
At 3.4 miles take the second exit at the roundabout, to Luss and Crianlarich. At 7.1 miles turn right for Luss, passing Loch Lomond Golf Club, and enter car park at 9.1 miles.
3. Luss
With its fine and peaceful, little rustic parish church, you will find Luss an easy place to enjoy. And, you may find the church a peaceful refuge if the rest of the town is enjoying too many tourists.
A walk down the main street to the pier is a rare treat as the residents take very great care of their cottages and gardens.
Aside from the touristy shops selling tartan there's little wrong with Luss and it makes a great stop for lunch. Try the Coach House Coffee Shop - it's not unreasonably priced, serves very good food, and the service is warm and humourous even when the waitresses are busy.
Loch Lomond Leisure offers speedboat trips from Luss, at £5 per person, and boat cruises round the islands which leave from the slipway by the church.
Zero your car's trip meter before you leave Luss car park. Return on the A811 for Stirling and Gartocharn. At 16.4 miles turn left off the A811 for Drymen and Balmaha. At 16.8 miles turn left inside Drymen for Balmaha. When you get to Balmaha, turn left at 20.7 miles for the car park.
4. Balmaha
Balmaha is a picturesque little village, beside some of the loch's 38 islands. It has two main attractions. One is the new Loch Lomond Park centre, which briefly but entertainingly tells you the history, geology and natural
history of the loch.
The other is the Balmaha Boatyard, which offers boat trips and cruises on the Royal Mail delivery boats which deliver mail to the loch's islands. Trips are priced between £3 and £7.
Above all, though, Balmaha is beautiful - climb to the top of Conic Hill for even more spectacular views of the loch.
Zero your car's trip meter before leaving the car park. Go back onto the A811 road for Stirling. At 7.3 miles turn left onto the A81 towards Aberfoyle. In Aberfoyle (at 13.7 miles) turn left onto the B829 road for Kinlochard, Stronachlochar and Inversnaid. At 25.7 miles turn left for the Inversnaid Hotel.
5. Inversnaid
Inversnaid, is an idyllic introduction to the northern side of the loch. The problem is getting there: the only road, via Kinlochard and Stronachlochar at Loch Katrine, is devilish; a single track road after Kinlochard with dangerous, high humps and corners. It's worth it though, as the views of Loch Ard and Loch Arklet are mesmerising. Inversnaid, the end of your journey, consists of a jetty, a hotel, a beautiful waterfall and nothing else. In truth, when the weather is fine, it's nothing short of stunning, and makes a great drive and picnic stop. The trip is well worth the effort.
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PARK GUIDE
Cobleland C&C Park
Aberfoyle, Perthshire, FK8 3UX
Tel: 01877 382392
Open 22 Mar - 25 Sept
Distance: 89.9 miles
Time: 8 hours
Start/finish: Stirling station / Inversnaid
Suitable for: all the family
REFRESHMENTS
The Coach House, Luss Tel: 01436 860341
Duck Bay Hotel Tel: 01389 751234
INFORMATION
Balloch Tel: 01225 477101
Balmara visitor centre Tel: 01360 870470
ATTRACTIONS
Balloch Castle Tel: 01389 722600
Sweeney's Cruises Tel: 01389 752376
Mullen's Cruises Tel: 01389 751481
TIP
Take a picnic. Duck Bay is ideal if the weather is good.
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