LOCH LOMOND
ACCESS : Within West Dunbartonshire there are several access points and these are suitable for a range of abilities as noted below.
///employ.unfilled.reddish Lomond Shores. A good place to start.
Loch Lomond is the largest of the Scottish lochs and the most extensive in area of any inland water in Britain. West Dunbartonshire is lapped by the waters on its southernmost shores. As you arrive you will look across at Ben Lomond in the distance and the nearest of the islands, Inchmurrin, somewhat closer.
Loch Lomond crosses the Highland Boundary Fault, often considered the boundary between the lowlands of Central Scotland and the Highlands, and Inchmurrin is part of that roughly east/west ridge which rises as islands and hills and then dips below the water.
To the east lies the local authority area of Stirling, the old county of Stirlingshire. To the west is that of Argyll and Bute. Loch Lomond though is very special and has become the jewel within the extensive Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. The park covers sections of all three local authority areas and has itself been given many of the functions usually given to such local authorities. Not only does it look after the natural aspects within its sphere of control, but also such things as planning control so that optimum decisions are made for the present and way into the future. As it says in its opening lines in its website about what it does : Our mission is to be the vital force in protecting and enhancing Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. The National Park covers an area of outstanding landscapes, habitats and communities – and it’s our job to protect it, and reduce the impact of visitor and recreational pressures. The current 2024 - 2029 NATIONAL PARK PARTNERSHIP PLAN can be found here (draft) : https://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/20230426-NPPP-Draft-Plan-LIVE-SP.pdf
As a visitor or someone local who enjoys such environments the link below is a good place to look first.
The easiest place to start is with a visit to LOMOND SHORES index.asp?pageid=715974 This has several attractions ranging from shops to an aquarium, but the promenade on the water's edge is an excellent and safe place to view this southernmost end of the loch. Nearby is a walk in some woods, which takes you closer to the water, and the paddle steamer, the MAID OF THE LOCH index.asp?pageid=715792.
Cruises on the loch can be taken from near the bridge in Balloch.
If you follow the A82 northwards you will almost immediately come to DUCK BAY index.asp?pageid=715895 and CAMERON HOUSE HOTEL index.asp?pageid=716088. Note that cyclists should follow Old Luss Road to avoid the busy traffic. Beyond this is outwith West Dunbartonshire.
From Gartocharn you can reach the RSPB LOCH LOMOND BIRD RESERVE index.asp?pageid=715851. There a great walk.
From Gartocharn eastwards you soon leave West Dunbartonshire, but there are some very exciting places along this side of the loch, the nearest being from the road out of Drymen heading for Balmaha or beyond.
The view from Duncryne.
A visiting seaplane calls in at Cameron House.
If you wish to see Loch Lomond from the air, as well as much of the sea lochs and isles from here westwards, this seaplane offers you an exciting flight. This takes off from Cameron House. In the distance you can see Balloch Castle.
And this is what you will see of Loch Lomond. All that in the distance including Inchmurrin to the left, Balloch with Lomond Shores and the Leven to the far right, and Duck Bay just before it, is within West Dunbartonshire. The border with Argyle and Bute zigzags below.
FRIENDS OF LOCH LOMOND & THE TROSSACHS : https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofLochLomondandtheTrossachs/
LOCH LOMOND & THE TROSSACHS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY website : https://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/discover-the-park/
LOCH LOMOND & THE TROSSACHS NATIONAL PARK COMMUNITY PARTNERHSIP : https://www.thecommunitypartnership.org.uk/
VISIT SCOTLAND : https://www.visitscotland.com/see-do/landscapes-nature/national-parks-gardens/loch-lomond-trossachs/
WATER SAFETY : article on DANGER-GRAB-BUOYS, a suggestion for respite when struggling in the water just off shore.
WIKIPEDIA : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loch_Lomond
