BALLOCH PARK
ACCESS : You can walk into the park from a number of points, but there are also 3 carparks.
- Main Entrance : ironically this is not within the park itself but off Drymen Road close to the Carrochan Road intersection. This is very close to the bus terminus and also the CoOp and Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority headquarters - Carrochan building. Walk across to the main gates from here. https://w3w.co/thinks.discusses.wedge
- There is parking off Drymen Road opposite the Fish and Chips shop. Drive through to behind the Indian Take-away and convenience store. https://w3w.co/teaspoons.openly.lightens There is further parking witin the edge of the wooded area beyond. https://w3w.co/deep.personal.hammocks
- Balloch Castle parking : This is accessed from Mollanbowie Road which in turn branches off Drymen Road. This takes you very close to the castle. Disabled parking is available right at the castle from where there are long level paths. You will need to take note of the vehicle routes within the park as they are not that clear and are shared with pedestrians in some areas. https://w3w.co/students.anchorman.fixtures Entrance https://w3w.co/options.swim.costumed Main parking https://w3w.co/laminate.discussed.tugging Castle parking
Also see : GARDENS OF WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE
There are many opportunities for walks within this vast parks. The environment ranges from elegant old trees to rolling lawns; from a tradtional walled garden to lochside rambles.
Self-guided walks are available. Simply look for the QR code on sign boards and even on some trees.
The main avenue from the main gates is suitable for disabled users, but as noted above, those with car access can also get right up to the castle building via Mollanbowie Road. For the more adventurous, a full circuit of the encircling path is recommended.
This is the road going down the side of the stables block (used for grounds maintenance) to the castle and is also the exit.
The main path from the castle northwards.
There is a horse and carriage mounting point on the path.
Steps lead up to the small feature garden area and the parking.
Some of the more significant trees are marked with signage including a QR code for the self-guided walk app. This, as many stately home estates at the time collected plants from around the world.
The first is a magnificent Noble Fir.
The next a Giant Sequoia.
A great place for a family stroll even on a cold winter afternoon. The low sun highlights the dew on the grass.
The walled garden would have supplied the kitchen with fruit and vegetables, but has long since become a quiet retreat surrounded by flowers.
