Discover Glasgow & Loch Lomond - Discover Scotland: Experience the Best of Scotland - page 296

LOCH LOMOND & AROUND
The 'bonnie banks' and 'bonnie braes' of Loch Lomond have long been Glasgow's rural
retreat - a scenic region of hills, lochs and healthy fresh air within easy reach of Scotland's
largest city (Loch Lomond is within an hour's drive of 70% of Scotland's population).
Since the 1930s Glaswegians have made a regular weekend exodus to the hills - by car, by
bike and on foot - and today the loch's popularity shows no sign of decreasing.
The importance of the Loch Lomond region was recognised when it became the heart of
Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park ( www.lochlomond-trossachs.org ) - Scotland's
first national park, created in 2002.

Activities

Walking
The big walk around here is the West Highland Way ( www.west-highland-way.co.uk ) , which
runs along the eastern shore of the loch. There are shorter lochside walks at Firkin Point on
the western shore and at several other places around the loch. You can get further informa-
tion on local walks from the national park information centres at Loch Lomond Shores and
Balmaha.
Rowardennan is the starting point for an ascent of Ben Lomond (974m), a popular and
relatively straighforward (if strenuous) five- to six-hour round trip. The route starts at the
car park just past the Rowardennan Hotel.

Boat Trips

SWEENEY'S CRUISES
( 01389-752376; www.sweeneyscruises.com ; Balloch Rd, Balloch) The main centre for boat trips is
Balloch, where Sweeney's Cruises offers a range of trips including a one-hour cruise to
Inchmurrin and back (adult/child £8.50/5, five times daily), and a two-hour cruise (£15/8
departs 1pm and 3pm) around the islands. The quay is directly opposite Balloch train sta-
tion, beside the tourist office.

| Boat Tours

CRUISE LOCH LOMOND
( www.cruiselochlomond.co.uk ; Tarbet) Cruise Loch Lomond is based in Tarbet and offers two-
hour trips to Inversnaid, Arklet Falls and Rob Roy MacGregor's Cave (adult/child £12.50/

| Boat Tour