THE BONNY BANKS OF
LOCH LOMOND.
CRAINLARICH
North along the bonny bonny, banks of Loch Lomond on the A82 and then
from Inverarnan through Glen Falloch, are the three glens of Glen
Dochart, Glen Falloch and Strath Fillan which meet
at Crainlarich. The rail lines from Oban and Fort William meet
here also and there is a relaxing village centre and some interesting
shops.
Continuing on the A82 one might be tempted into the Green Wellie shop
at Tyndrum before crossing Ranoch Moor with its spectacular
views crossing into the Highland region just after the summit.
LOCH LOMOND
Loch Lomond is 22 miles (35km) long, includes more than 30 islands and,
in its northern reaches, is dominated by two substantial mountains.
Ben Lomond and Ben Vorlich easily top the 3000 feet (912m)
mark which categorises them, in Scottish terms, as major summits. From
about halfway up the loch precipitous hillsides, wooded and forested
on their lower slopes but craggy above the tree line, press it into
a narrow cleft.
Balloch is the village at the outflow of Loch Lomond. Loch cruises
from several operators, (Mullens and Sweeney's) start here, and many
small-boat owners moor their craft on the River Leven. Riverside footpaths
run past abandoned locations of the textile industry although Antartex
at Alexandria is a modern and flourishing business. At the Antartex
Village Visitor Centre are mill shops, craft workshops and factory mill
tours. Now the visitor centre of a lochside country park, l9th century
Balloch Castle stands high among lawns and woodlands.
The Loch Lomond Park Centre at the Old Station in Balloch gives
an insight to the landscape and wildlife of the area.
To reach the east side of Loch Lomond, take the A811 by Gartocharn to
Drymen. A right turn in Gartocharn leads to a walk up Duncryne
Hill, a magnificent panoramic viewpoint. Northwards, the outlook
is over Loch Lomond’s islands into the narrowing mountain gap on
the skyline.
Drymen is a favourite haunt of city motorists out for afternoon tea
and there is the interesting Drymen Pottery Shop at The Square. People
also come here for a stroll in Garadhban Forest, on part of the
West Highland Way long-distance footpath. At Balmaha the road
opens up pleasant views of the loch, arriving at the village where there
are steeper walks among spruce and larch, and the West Highland Way
comes down from the heights to the water’s edge.
From Macfarlane’s boatyard a mailboat takes passengers round the
three inhabited islands in the loch, and on other cruises with stops
at Inchmurrin island hotel. Visitors are also ferried to Inchcailleach
where, among steep-sided woodlands, there is a fascinating nature and
history trail.
