Local attractions:
We've put together a list of activities, walks and days out for couples and families for both sunny and rainy weather. We hope these can be of interest!
Country Cycles
Oakwood Garden Centre,
Killearn, Glasgow
G63 9PT
Tel No: +44 1360 660066
Glengoyne Distillery
Dumgoyne,
Near Killearn,
G63 9LB
Tel No: +44 (1360) 550254
Drymen Library
4 The Square
Drymen
G63 0BL
Travel information, internet, and printing, copying and scanning service.
Tel No: +44 (1360) 660751
Buchanan Arms Hotel
23 Main Street
Drymen
G63 0BQ
Swimming & Spa
Tel No: +44 (1360) 660588
Mugdoch Country Park
Milngavie,
Mugdock, Glasgow
G62 8EL
Tel No: +44 141 956 6100
Balloch Country Park
20 Park Ave,
Balloch, Alexandria
G83 8JS
Tel No: +44 1389 758134
Fishing
Choose from The River Endrick, River Leven, Lake of Menteith, River Tay, Loch Lomond, Loch Leven, Loch Awe, Loch Carron and literally hundreds of others!
The nearest is of course Loch Lomond. One of Scotland’s best Lochs for salmon, sea trout and coarse fishing especially pike. Salmon and pike of thirty pounds and sea trout of ten pounds are caught most years.
The season for salmon and sea trout is 11th Feb to 31st Oct.
There is no close season for coarse fishing. Day and weekly game and coarse fishing angling permits can be purchased from any of the following merchants.
Boating and Watersports
Given that water is an essential ingredient for this pastime, we've got 2,628 cubic metres of it in Loch
Lomond, though canoeists will be more interested in its surface area – 71 sq. km. – spectacular scenery, islands to sail round, pubs to visit, slipway provision, a choice of marinas, plus all the space of the largest freshwater loch in the UK.
Loch Lomond is simply one of the finest inland waters in the UK.
Balmaha Boat Yard
The Boatyard,
Balmaha, G63 0JQ
Tel No: +44 (1360) 870214
Cruise Loch Lomond – Loch Lomond Shores
The Boatyard,
Tarbet,
G83 7DE
Tel No: +44 (1301) 702356
Sweeney’s Cruises
Balloch
Riverside,
G93 8SS
Tel No: +44 (1389) 752376
Family Entertainment The Peak
Forthside Way
FK8 1QZ
Stirling Sports Village
Tel No: +44 (1786) 273555
Mclaren Community Leisure Centre
Mollands Road,
Callander
FK17 8JP
Tel No: +44 (1877) 330000
Soar intu Braehead
Kings Inch Road
Braehead Renfrew
PA4 8XQ
Amusement park
Tel No: +44 (1877) 330000
Golf
There are a hundred courses within a day’s drive of Loch Lomond not that you need to go that far, when there is a course just along the road such as Buchanan Castle. There are so many that we can’t list them all – we wouldn’t know where to stop! Parkland, heathland, traditional, challenging or forgiving – whatever you need from a day’s golf is at hand right here.
Buchanan Castle Golf Club
Buchanan Castle Estate
Drymen,
G63 0HY
Tel No: +44 (1360) 660330
Strathendrick Golf Club
Dyrmen Bridge,
Drymen,
G63 0BD
Tel: +44 1436 677959
Horse Riding
Whether it's just the kids or outings as a family, you can either walk to the top of the road by the house or venture out further.. Horse riding in the Scottish countryside, why not eh?
Lomondside Stud Equestrian Centre
Buchanan Home Farm,
Glasgow
G63 0HU
Tel No: +44 (1360) 660481
Duncryne Equitation & Trekking Centre
Little Duncryne Farm,
Gartocharn
G83 8NG
Tel No: +44 (1389) 830425
Walking
Loch Lomond is perfect for walking. Whether you want a gentle stroll in the countryside among the trees and rivers or a walk through the wild mountain and loch scenery, Loch Lomond has all of this in abundance.
Ben Lomond
Ben Lomond is one of the most popular Munros (mountain over 3,000ft) and probably one of the most climbed hills in Scotland. Once out of the trees witness fantastic views of the length of Loch Lomond and far into the hills to the north and the Trossachs to the east. The route has been well made, however the optional return down the Ptarmigan ridge can be muddy and is rocky in places making the going more difficult in poor visibility. If you plan to do this walk, you must have proper clothing for the season, bearing in mind that weather can change unexpectedly and that temperature at 3000 feet is often considerably colder than at sea level. This route includes some rough conditions underfoot so proper walking boots should be worn.
Parking: Car Park Rowardennan G63 0AR
Distance: 12km/7.5miles Time: 4.5 - 5.5 hours Ascent: 990m
Conic Hill
Starting from Balmaha car park, The Conic Hill is a perfect family walking spot. With a summit of only 350m the total outing adds up to enough of an adventure for the average child or adult – but not too much of an exhausting expedition. The trail up and down Conic Hill is on the West Highland Way and so you often meet and pass friendly hikers. The car park at the bottom has a good children’s play area and toilets. The Oak Tree Inn opposite the car park welcomes muddy walkers offering a reasonable lunch/dinner menu and a refreshing pint.
Parking: Car Park Balmaha G63 0JQ
Distance: 4km/2.5miles Time: 2-3 hours Ascent: 350m
West Highland Way
Scotland’s West Highland Way has the 'wow' factor. Thousands of travellers come from all over the world to take on the challenge of this famous 96 mile trek every year, enjoying a friendly traditional welcome and our breathtakingly beautiful countryside. The route starts at Milngavie and finishes at Fort William. The terrain ranges from lowland moors, dense woodland and rolling hills, to high mountainous regions in the Scottish Highlands. Much of the Way follows ancient and historic routes of communication and makes use of Drove Roads, Military Roads and Disused Railway Tracks. A 7 day hike is the most popular time-frame for completing the route which obviously involves considerable planning, however, as part of your holiday you may like to try walking some of the trail and for ease of reference the route has been detailed below in short sections.
Total Distance: 154km/96miles
Milngavie to Carbeth 5 miles (8 kms) / 3 - 4 hours
Carbeth to Drymen 7 miles (11.2 kms) / 3 - 4 hours
Drymen to Balmaha 8 miles (12.8 km) / 4 - 5 hours
Balmaha to Rowardennan 7 miles (11.2 km) / 3 - 4 hours
Rowardennan to Inversnaid 7 miles (11.2 km) / 4 - 5 hours
Inversnaid to Inverarnan 7 miles (11.2 km) / 4 - 5 hours Inverarnan to Crianlarich 6 miles (9.6 km) / 3 - 4 hours
Crianlarich to Tyndrum 6 miles (9.6 km) / 3 - 4 hours
Tyndrum to Bridge of Orchy 7 miles (11.2 km) / 3 - 4 hours
Bridge of Orchy to Inveroran 2 miles (3.2 km) / 1 - 2 hours
Inveroran to Kingshouse 10 miles (16 km) / 4 - 5 hours
Kingshouse to Kinlochleven 9 miles (14.4 km) / 4 - 5 hours
Kinlochleven to Fort William 16 miles (24 km) / 7 - 8 hours Please see the following website for more information: http://www.west-highland-way.co.uk
Other Sporting Activities
Strathblane Falconry
41 Milngavie
Road Glasgow, G63 9EH
Tel No: +44 7813 125097
Flying Loch Lomond Seaplanes
Duck Bay,
Alexandria
G83 8QZ
Tel No: +44 (1436) 675030
Loch Lomond Shooting School
Upper Stoneymollan Road,
Balloch,
G83 8QY,
Tel No: + 44 (1389) 711190
Days Out
Explore a variety of attractions in Scotland; each region has plenty of attractions, which cover history, science, wildlife and much more.
Balloch Castle & Country Park
Balloch Castle Country Park lies within the 170 square miles which constitute the Loch Lomond Regional Park. The latter was designated in order to preserve the countryside, wildlife and traditional farming methods within the area. Within the grounds of Balloch Castle Counrty Park, there are many attractions to suit everyone's taste. Apart from the castle itself, there are a number of affiliated houses - including the gatehouses, which are still standing, and the ruins of the gamekeeper's house.
Balloch Castle, Balloch, G83 8LX
Tel No: +44 1389 758134
Blair Drummond Safari Park
2010 Scottish Thistle Awards Winner for the "Perfect Kid's Day Out". Beautiful setting between Stirling and
Doune, this is the only place in Scotland where one can now see elephants and giraffes. Drive through Animal Reserves, Boat Trip around Chimp Island, Sea Lion shows, Bird of Prey Centre & displays, Lemur Land, Pets Farm, Adventure Playground plus much more make this an attraction not to be missed.
Nr Stirling, FK9 4UR
Tel No: +44 (1786) 841456
Go Ape
The Go Ape course, located at the David Marshall Lodge Visitor Centre, is split into six challenging zones. Both children and adults will love the excitement of taking to the trees and weaving their way through a series of rope ladders, bridges, Tarzan swings, trapezes, stirrup crossings and zip wires.
David Marshall Lodge Visitor Centre,
Aberfoyle, FK8 3SX
Tel No: + +44 1603 895500
Sea Life Aquarium
What is your favourite Sea Creature? The awesome Sharks, the beautiful Turtle or perhaps it’s the clever Common Octopus that you love the most? Well at SEA LIFE you can see them all - from the rescued to the rare and the enigmatic, get closer than ever before. Many of their creatures are on the endangered list, have been rescued and cannot be released into the wild, or have been bred as part of the conservation project at Loch
Lomond
Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch, G83 8QL
Tel No: +44 1389 722319
Inverary Castle
The ancient Royal Burgh of Inveraray lies 60 miles north west of Glasgow by Loch Fyne in an area of spectacular natural beauty. The ruggedness of the highland scenery combines with the sheltered tidal Loch, beside which nestles the present Castle built between 1745 and 1790. The Castle is home to the Duke of Argyll, Head of the Clan Campbell, whose family have lived in Inveraray since the early 15th century. Visitors enter the famous Armoury Hall containing some 1300 pieces including Brown Bess muskets, Lochaber axes, 18th century Scottish broadswords and can see preserved swords from the Battle of Culloden.
Inveraray Castle, Argyll, PA32 8XF
Tel No: +44 (1499) 302203
Inverary Jail
Inveraray Jail is a living museum and top Scottish visitor attraction where real people portray life in a 19th century prison. Since opening in 1989 Inveraray Jail has established itself as one of Scotland's most exciting heritage attractions. It has won many awards including European Museum of the Year and Scottish Tourism Oscar. Visit the magnificently restored 1820 Courtroom where you can sit with the 30 lifelike models and listen to excerpts from trials of the past. Then pass on to the prisons below, and meet with the Warder, Matron and Prison Guides, all dressed in period costumes. Spend some time in the airing yards, see furnished cells and experience authentic prison sounds and smells!
Church Square, Argyll, PA32 8TX
Tel No: +44 (1499) 302381
Stirling Castle
Stirling Castle is one of Scotland's most iconic and historically important sites and today there is more than ever to see and do at the castle! Knights, nobles and foreign ambassadors once flocked to Stirling Castle to revel in it’s grandeur with it’s superb sculptures and beautiful gardens. It was a favoured residence of the Stewart Kings and Queens who held grand celebrations from christenings to coronations. Today there’s more than ever to see and do at Stirling Castle. Meet the costumed characters in the roles of bodyguards, court officials, maids of honour and servants who will welcome you into 16th century life. Families can have fun in the palace vaults where children can try out activities such as dressing in period costume and playing medieval instruments.
Castle Wynd, Stirling, FK8 1EJ
Tel No: +44 (1786) 450000
Wallace Monument
The National Wallace Monument - A National Landmark - A National Hero, renew your acquaintance with Scotland's national hero Sir William Wallace at the spectacular 220' high National Wallace Monument. Learn all about the turbulent events leading up to Scotland's momentous victory at The Battle of Stirling Bridge, listen to Wallace's trial in London at the hands of Edward I, and see his awesome battle sword. Visit the Hall of Heroes, and take in the incredible view from the Crown.
Abbey Craig, Hillfoots Rd, Stirling, FK9 5LF
Tel No: +44 (1786) 472140