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Visit Beautiful Loch Lomond
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I have driven around the loch many times on my way elsewhere and I always leave earlier than I need to, because I find it difficult not to stop and admire the fabulous views.
Located less than 30 miles from Glasgow, holidaying here gives you the opportunity to enjoy the unrivalled beauty of the scenery, towns and villages around the area, plus the convenience of being close to the city, and you will find many excellent hotels and guest houses around the loch.
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Coming from Glasgow, you will first arrive in the lovely village of Balloch, on the southernmost point. This is a great place to start off as you will get to see Balloch Castle and have a leisurely stroll on the fabulous nature walk in Balloch Castle Country Park.
While in Balloch, your shopping needs are catered for with the nearby Loch Lomond Shores retail outlets, offering a good selection of shops. If you need a supermarket you should make a stop here, because you definitely won't find any supermarkets on your way round the loch. But You will find the old paddle steamer 'Maid of the Loch' tied up at Balloch pier where it has served as a floating restaurant for some years. Families can enjoy outdoor activities, including pedal boats on the loch, with the 'Can You Experience' and the Rangers at the National Park Gateway Centre or have indoor fun painting or playing in the soft play at the Ceramic Experience, or learning and touching at the super Loch Lomond Aquarium. From Loch Lomond shores you can also have a short cruise on the Loch.
Public transport will get you as far as Balloch, but really the only practical way of getting around Loch Lomond is by either driving or cycling, as it covers an area some 24 miles long and 5 miles wide, and it's worth seeing.
There are some lovely little towns and villages dotted around the loch with good restaurants and coffee shops. From Balloch, travelling up the west side, you will pass through Arden, and arrive at Luss, which was the setting for Scottish soap, "Take The High Road". Luss is a Conservation Village, and it really is beautiful, and peaceful. You can also have cruises from here, but if you go down to the pier, you'll probably stay there to admire the views across the loch, with Ben Lomond in the background.
Another nice place on the west side is Tarbet, with the Ben Lomond Cafe & Craft Shop, and the Tarbet Tea Room. And if you haven't already guessed, there's still more pleasure cruises on the loch from here. There's also the Tarbet Hotel, railway station and Tourist Information Centre.
On the northernmost point of the loch is Ardlui, which has a marina, and a caravan park where you can get permits for fishing on the loch. A ferry will take you to the east side, for the best Pike fishing in the area. But there's more than just Pike fishing here. Loch Lomond is the largest expanse of fresh water in Britain, with a plentiful supply of Brown Trout, Salmon, Sea Trout and Perch, and the south of the loch offers really good fishing.
Other attractions include The Golf Club which is situated on its south western shore. More recently another golf club, "The Carrick" has opened on the banks of the Loch adjacent to the Golf Club. There are also golf courses at nearby Drymen and Alexandria. If you're in the area, and driving, follow the A83 for Inveraray, to see Inveraray Jail, a superb visitor attraction with fun, interest and excitement for people of all ages.
Travelling down the east side of Loch Lomond you have the villages of Inversnaid, Rowardennan and Balmaha, and an assortment of interesting towns and villages further inland, with beautiful scenery all the way. Wherever you are on the loch you will Find Some Good Restaurants.
In a 2005 poll of Radio Times readers, Loch Lomond was named as the sixth greatest natural wonder in Britain, which is hardly surprising. Apart from the number of pleasure cruises to choose from, there is a variety of activities on offer, like water skiing, jet skiing and sailing.
This beautiful area is not only the perfect holiday location in itself, it provides an ideal touring base for exploring the North Central area of Scotland, including The Trossachs, Stirling, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
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