Take the High Road... (Loch Lomond)

Member Name: snowgoon

Product:	Loch Lomond
Date:	13/08/01 (176 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easily accessible, Caters for tourists

Disadvantages: Main road can get busy, midges!

I grew up in Dumbarton, 7 miles from the majestic Loch Lomond. I spent many years near it or on it, and have enjoyed every moment.
Driving to Loch Lomond is easy, head for Glasgow Airport, keeping going and cross the Erskine Bridge onto the A82 and follow the signs. Quick tip: if the traffic is bad, wait until you reach Dumbarton (past the Shell garage on your right) and turn right at the roundabout (signposted Bonhill if I remember correctly). Follow the road and signs for Balloch. This will take you the back road to Balloch, the town that sits at the foot of the loch.
So what is there to do around Loch Lomond? Well you can visit Balloch Castle and Country Park, and walk along the edge of the Loch. Pop into the Balloch Hotel and sit in the sunshine. Or drive up to the foot of Ben Lomond if you are feeling energetic.
There are boat trips round the Loch in high season as well, these offer a good way to see the surrounding scenery.
Heading up the west coast of the Loch will take you, firstly, to Cameron House and Duck Bay Marina. Cameron House is a world renowned 5 star establishment, and you can generally do a bit of star spotting there. Duck Bay Marina offers good food, and a wonderful view out onto the Loch. There is also a large picnic area where the kids can run about.
Further up you come across Luss, home of the TV series 'Take the High Road'. Be warned this is VERY touristy, and there is usually many buses full of Americans. But it is a nice small village and you can walk round it all easily. The new tourist centre is excellent and well worth a visit.
Ask at the tourist centre about a visit to Inchinnan island, complete with it's own hotel. And if you are lucky you will see the wallaby farm on a neighbouring island.
If you enjoy walking, you can tackle a section of the West Highland Way, which you can join at the top of the loch.
Drymen and Balmaha sit on the East side of the Loch, and are also very popular areas.

Loch Lomond 26 miles long, and 1 mile deep in places, and is constantly buzzing with boats, jetski's and the like.
My best advice is to find somewhere quiet, and enjoy the stunning scenery. I admit having lived so close I took it for granted, but having moved away I fully appreciate it's grandeur and beauty.

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