Campsie View, Loch Lomond

Loch Lomond

Loch Lomond is the largest fresh water Loch in the UK. The Loch is 24 miles long and five miles wide and at its deepest point is some 600 feet deep.

On the Loch there are approximately 38 Islands, some of them inhabited and there is even a Hotel on one, Inchmurrin.

Loch Lomond must be the worlds most famous Loch and has been much written about, both in song and verse. The area is renowned for its beauty and tranquility and offers picture postcard views around every corner.

The Loch is crossed by the Highland Boundary Fault and exhibits the physical characteristics of both highland and Lowland Scotland. Some 200 species of birds and over 25% of Britain's wild plants have been recorded in the area.

Ben Lomond

Ben Lomond, easily accessible from most parts of central Scotland and offering magnificent views from its summit, is Scotland’s southernmost ‘Munro’ (mountain over 3,000ft) and and is probably one of the most climbed hills in Scotland.

For all its popularity it should not be treated lightly especially in stormy or wet weather when the unexpected onset of heavy rain and cloud can find the unwary walker dangerously close to sheer rock faces and falls .

 

Bike Hire

Drymen is an ideal location for the family cyclist through to your more adventuress mountain bike enthusiast. The Loch Lomond area offers great opportunities to visit the hidden delights of the Scottish country side,with miles of forest tracks in and around Drymen,cycling enables everyone easy access to the tranquil sorroundings found in Loch lomond.

All ages catered for with childseats available on request and a number of childrens bikes as well as adult bikes all available on-site.

Buchanan Castle Golf Course

Buchanan Castle Golf club lies within a forested estate with trees native to Western Europe, different types Oak, and soaring Pacific Coast Redwoods. The course lies on a flat plain, sliced through by the oxbows of the Endrick Water. To the East and North West, beyond the banks of Loch Lomond are the beginnings of the Highlands and the magical mountains of Arthur, Vane, Vorlich, Lui and Ben Lomond itself.

The course, designed by James Braid, features many fairways which are framed by two tall trees at around 200 yards, or where the Braid Doglegs start to turn. Simple but insidious, requiring consistent accuracy off the tee.

Tennis

There are three local tennis courts which are open to non-members. The nearest of which is Strathendrick Tennis Club which has 2 blaze tennis courts and is located just outside the village. This is also home to the 9-hole Strathendrick Golf Course. Visitors are welcome on weekdays between the hours of 10am - 3.30 pm

The other two local courts are found in Killearn (5 miles), and Kippen (13 miles).

 

Fishing

Loch Lomond is the largest fresh water Loch in Scotland. And as you would expect with its size it holds possibly the largest variety of fish in Scotland. This ideal habitat provides great sport for the angler. Salmon and sea trout return up the River Leven into the Southern reaches of the loch, whilst brown and rainbow trout, pike, perch, roach, chub and dace offer variety for every angler. What more glorious surrounding could you ask for to practice your sport

Loch Lomond is deemed one of the best locations for pike fishing by the Pike Anglers Club of Great Britain. Other species to be found within the Loch are Perch, Roach, Ruffe. Dace and Powan. The Ruffe which is not a native species is thought to have been introduced by means of live baiting for pike they are an unwelcome visitor having a large appetite for other fishes eggs first found within the Loch in 1982 they are now the most common fish within the Loch.

No permit required for pike/coarse fishing

Bait fishing only (no live bait)

Doune Castle

Doune Castle is an imposing Medieval castle in the Stirling district of central Scotland, sited on a wooded bend where a tributary joins the River Teith, across a bridge from the village of Doune. It lies 8 miles (13 km) north-west of Stirling where the River Teith flows into the River Forth. Upstream, 8 miles (13 km) further north-west the town of Callander lies at the edge of the Trossachs mountain region of the Scottish highlands. In 1974 Doune Castle was used as a film location for the film 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail'.

Stirling Castle

Stirling Castle is the grandest of Scotland's castles and one of the most popular visitor attractions in the country.250 feet above the plain on an extinct volcano, Stirling became the strategic military key to the kingdom during the 13th and 14th century Wars of Independence and was the favourite royal residence of many of the Stuart Monarchs. Many important events from Scotland's past took place at Stirling Castle, including the violent murder of the eighth Earl of Douglas by James II in 1452. Stirling Castle played an important role in the life of Mary Queen of Scots. She spent her childhood in the castle and Mary's coronation took place in the Chapel Royal in 1543.

There are excellent historical displays, a recreation of the 16th century kitchens with sensory and interactive exhibits and the Regimental Museum of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders which details their eventful history from 1794 to the present.

Blair Drummond Safari Park

Blair Drummond safari park opened in 1970 in the grounds of Blair Drummond house, which was purchased by Sir John Kay a Glasgow tea merchant in 1916. Having no sons he passed it to his nephew Sir John Muir father of the present owner Jamie Muir. The house remained a family home until 1977 when it was sold to the Camphill Trust, a charity that cares for people with special needs. The existing late – Victorian house replaced a mansion house built in 1715, which was sited in what is now the giraffe enclosure. Most of the remaining trees in the park date from the period of the earlier house.

Cardross Castle Golf Course

Cardross Golf Club has one of the best inland golf courses in the West of Scotland. The current golf course layout benefited from design changes recommended by James Braid, which were implemented in 1921. It is a Championship parkland course, having hosted the Scottish Professional Championship in 1992, which was won by the Open winner of 1999, Paul Lawrie. The course is built on a few south facing, gently rolling hills, which look over the River Clyde. Being south facing and so close to the sea, the golf course enjoys an early growing season and tends to come into prime condition before all of the other courses in the area. The members also enjoy a Winter season, played mainly on full greens.

West Highland Way

The West Highland Way is 152km (95 miles) long. The walk links Milngavie to Fort William - from the outskirts of Scotland’s largest city to the foot of its highest mountain, following the shores of its largest freshwater loch.

It passes from the lowlands, across the Highland Boundary Fault and on into the Scottish Highlands. Much of the Way follows ancient and historic routes of communication, and makes use of:

The drove roads along which highlanders herded their cattle and sheep to market in the lowlands.

Military roads built by troops to help control the Jacobite Clans.

Old coaching roads and disused railway lines from the more recent past.

If you are lucky whilst walking the Way you may also see some of the wildlife of the area. The Feral Goats left behind following the clearances, the magnificent Red Deer and, away over the high tops, soaring Golden Eagles.

Glasgow

Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow is well known for its architecture, museums and galleries, and excellent shopping centre.

The City was awarded the status of UK City of Architecture and Design 1999. Its most famous architect is Charles Rennie Mackintosh of whose work there are numerous examples in the City.

Museums and art galleries abound in Glasgow, of which the Burrell Collection, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and the Gallery of Modern Art should not be missed.

If you would like to do some shopping before returning home, Glasgow may be the place to go. Now generally recognised as second only to London for retail, the City has an easily accessible and excellent shopping centre.

Stirling

The historical town of Stirling is known as "The Gateway to the Highlands". The castle, sitting on cliffs above the town, once guarded the road from the Lowlands to the Highlands of Scotland. Near Stirling stands the Wallace Monument, commemorating Sir William Wallace, one of Scotland’s heroes of past wars with England. Many of his battles were fought in the Stirling area.