Explore....
There's so much to see and do in the surrounding area. So, we have put together a handy guide so you can decide on the best way to spend your day in our National Park and beyond. Many activites can be booked ahead of your visit and some may require advanced booking to guarantee availability.
We Recommend
AN CEANN MÒRR VIEWPOINT
BALQUHIDDER & ROB ROY’S GRAVE
BALQUHIDDER & ROB ROY’S GRAVE
This pyramid viewpoint offers spectacular views looking south down Loch Lomond. Its free to visit and open all year. To get there, head north on the A82 towards Inveruglas. It’s around a 15 minute drive from An Còrr.
BALQUHIDDER & ROB ROY’S GRAVE
BALQUHIDDER & ROB ROY’S GRAVE
BALQUHIDDER & ROB ROY’S GRAVE
Both a glen and a village, Balquhidder is the final resting place of Rob Roy who is buried in the grounds of the Parish Church. Rob Roy was a Scottish outlaw who later became a folk hero. He lived in the village until his death in 1734. The village is also home to a number of pre-historic sights including a stone circle, the Puidrac stone and a Neolithic burial sight.
1hr drive from An Còrr.
CRUISE LOCH LOMOND BOAT TRIP
BALQUHIDDER & ROB ROY’S GRAVE
CRUISE LOCH LOMOND BOAT TRIP
There aren’t currently any boat trips available along Loch long, however this is planned to commence in the summer of 2020! Until then, Cruise Loch Lomond offer both sightseeing cruises and scheduled ferry services from the nearby village of Tarbet. For times and prices click on the link below.
DUMBARTON CASTLE
FYNE ALES BREWERY
CRUISE LOCH LOMOND BOAT TRIP
Dumbarton Castle has the longest recorded history of any stronghold in Scotland. Overlooking the town of Dumbarton, it sits on a plug of volcanic basalt created 334 million years ago. This is known as Dumbarton Rock which is 240 feet high.
At least as far back as the iron age, this has been the site of a strategically important settlement as evidenced by archaeological finds. Located 30mins south of Arrochar.
FALLS OF FALLOCH
FYNE ALES BREWERY
FYNE ALES BREWERY
Just ten minutes further north from An Ceann Mòrr, this 10 metre waterfall has surrounding walking trails and is best viewed during or after lashings of rain!
FYNE ALES BREWERY
FYNE ALES BREWERY
FYNE ALES BREWERY
Brewery tours are available every day and are led by an expert team member. You’ll hear about the history of the Achadunan Estate, their two breweries and how they make their beers.
Located 20 mins away in Cairndow, Tours from £7.
GO APE - ABERFOYLE.
GO APE - ABERFOYLE.
GO APE - ABERFOYLE.
Home to two of the longest zip wires in the UK, you’ll be flying over trees and waterfalls with unprecedented views of the hills, valleys and highlands. Aberfoyle can be reached in 45 minutes. Open from March - October. Visit the link for more information and to book your slot. Price is £33.
HILL HOUSE
GO APE - ABERFOYLE.
GO APE - ABERFOYLE.
Located in Helensburgh, be inspired by the unique building, interiors and collection designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh in the ‘Glasgow style’. You can also explore inside the box and around using the walkways that also go over the roof. 30 mins drive.
INCHMAHOME PRIORY
GO APE - ABERFOYLE.
INCHMAHOME PRIORY
Inchmahome Priory is situated on Inchmahome Island, the largest of three Islands in Lake Monteith, Scotland’s only Lake. This peaceful monestry was founded in 1238 and although mostly ruins, much of the 13th Century building remains. Around one hours drive, head south on the A82 to Balloch and then take the A81 towards Aberfoyle. Carry on to the Port of Monteith where a short boat ride will take you across the Lake.
Open from 01 Apr to 30 Sep.
INVERARY CASTLE
LOCH LOMOND SEAPLANES
INCHMAHOME PRIORY
The nearby Inveraray Castle is a beautiful building, in stunning grounds and resembles something from a fairytale. A country house on the edge of Loch Fyne, it is one of the earliest of Gothic Revival Architecture. Replacing a 15thcentury castle, work began on the present castle in 1743.
The castle is opened to the public and has a collection of more than 1300 pikes, muskets swords and other weapons including preserved swords from the Battle of Culloden. The 13th Duke, Torquhil Ian Campbell, and his family live in private apartments occupying two floors and eat between two of the four crenellated circular towers. Head north from Arrochar on the A83 to Inverary.
Journey time: Approximately 30mins. north of Arrochar.
LOCH GOIL CRUSIERS
LOCH LOMOND SEAPLANES
LOCH LOMOND SEAPLANES
Located in Loch Goilhead, they have a fleet of 7m fibreglass day boats giving an average speed of 6mph. A great way to see the spectacular scenery of Loch Goil, another sea loch belonging to the national park. Head north on the A83 through the Rest and be Thankful, before turning left on the B828. Call 0787 516709 or click the link below. Prices from £75 for 3 hours.
LOCH LOMOND SEAPLANES
LOCH LOMOND SEAPLANES
LOCH LOMOND SEAPLANES
For a real treat or if you are celebrating a special occasion, this is the best and quickest way to explore the national park with a birds eye view. You will board the ten seat, luxury seaplane at Cameron House before being provided a breathtaking view of Scotland’s magnificent landscape. Upon your return to land you will enjoy a post flight prosecco. They now offer scheduled flights to Oban and the Isle of Bute. For the perfect day out we would recommend flying up to Oban for the day before retuning to Arrochar by train in the evening.
Tours from £129 and scheduled flights from £89.
Click the link or call 01436675030.
LOCH LOMOND LEISURE BOAT HIRE
LOCH LOMOND LEISURE BOAT HIRE
LOCH LOMOND LEISURE BOAT HIRE
What better way to explore the Bonnie Banks of Loch lomond than on a speedboat tour or hiring a sail boat for yourself. If you’d rather take in the views with added adrenaline, try their water skiing lessons. Beginners are welcome and instruction starts from £35.
LOCH LOMOND RIVER TUBING
LOCH LOMOND LEISURE BOAT HIRE
LOCH LOMOND LEISURE BOAT HIRE
The river tubing sessions at Luss, near Loch Lomond are the ideal introduction to this wonderful water activity. While floating down the river, you’ll pass through some awesome, lush green scenery as you go. Sessions last approx 1.5hrs and swimwear is required. Available from April-October.
LOCH LOMOND WAKEBOARDING
LOCH LOMOND LEISURE BOAT HIRE
LOCH LOMOND PONY TREKKING
Situated at the Ardlui Hotel on the northern banks of Loch Lomond, head north on the A82 for around 20 mins. As well as wakeboarding, activities include water skiing, wake surfing and speedboat trips. Instruction and wetsuits are supplied.
For more information and prices visit the link below or call 0754551360.
LOCH LOMOND PONY TREKKING
LOCH LOMOND BIRD OF PREY CENTRE
LOCH LOMOND PONY TREKKING
The experienced ride leaders will take you on a leisurely trek through the tranquil countryside onto the more rugged terrain of the surrounding moorland that overlooks the national park. Located 30 mins away in Balloch at Tullichewan Farm. Prices from £50.
For more information click below or call 077445 277320.
LOCH LOMOND BIRD OF PREY CENTRE
LOCH LOMOND BIRD OF PREY CENTRE
LOCH LOMOND BIRD OF PREY CENTRE
Located in Balloch, a 30 minute drive away, this can be found in their stunning purpose built facility at Loch Lomond Shores. With years of expertise the team will introduce you to Orla the Golden eagle, Shakira the Asian Wood Owl and Buzz the Buzzard to name a few. Open from 10am to 4pm throughout most of the year. Entry price is £8. Visit the link for more details.
LOCH LOMOND SEALIFE AQUARIUM
LOCH LOMOND BIRD OF PREY CENTRE
LOCH LOMOND BIRD OF PREY CENTRE
Discover an amazing underwater world filled with an array of creatures, including Scotland’s largest collection of sharks. For more information click below. Prices from £6.57 when pre-booked online. Open from 10am to 4pm daily. Located at Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch.
LOCH LOMOND TREEZONE
LOCH ECK & BENMORE BOTANIC GARDENS
LOCH ECK & BENMORE BOTANIC GARDENS
An amazing treetop adventure awaits you at Loch Lomond Shores. This thrilling aerial adventure course takes you through the treetops and on to some exciting zip slides, the longest of which is 90 metres. For bookings and up to date opening times click below. Prices from £19-£26.
LOCH ECK & BENMORE BOTANIC GARDENS
LOCH ECK & BENMORE BOTANIC GARDENS
LOCH ECK & BENMORE BOTANIC GARDENS
Loch Eck is another beautiful freshwater Loch in the National Park. It’s much quieter than the tourist hot spot of Loch Lomond. If you park up at one of the picnic spots you will often find you are the only one there. At the other end of the Loch you will find Benmore Botanic Gardens, featuring 120 acres of a world-famous collection of plants from the Orient, Himalayas, North and South America.
LOCH LONG QAUDMANIA
LOCH ECK & BENMORE BOTANIC GARDENS
LOCH LONG QAUDMANIA
Offering quad biking, clay shooting and archery, this adventure centre can be reached in 50 minutes from Arrochar. Head north on the A83 before taking the turning for Dunoon on the A815. Travel along the side of Loch Eck before taking the turning for Ardentinny. For more information call 01369 810289 or click below. Prices range from £25 for archery, £30 for clay pigeon shooting and £48 for quad treks.
LOCH FYNE WHISKY
SPA @ CAMERON HOUSE
LOCH LONG QAUDMANIA
Here you will be greeted by their friendly whisky enthusiasts and the sight of hundreds of bottles lining every wall from floor to ceiling.
Located 30 mins drive away in Inverary.
open 7 days 1000 - 1730
SPA @ CAMERON HOUSE
SPA @ CAMERON HOUSE
SPA @ CAMERON HOUSE
The luxury Cameron Spa is located 20 mins away, heading south on the A82. Part of the Cameron House Hotel Group, the spa features a rooftop infinity pool, 17 treatment rooms, rasul mud chamber with steam room and a VIP couple’s room with a mineral bath.
Open Mon-fri 07-00 to 21-00 and St- Sun 08-00 to 20-00.
To make a reservation call 01389 31077 or click below where you can also view a full brochure and price list.
SPA @ PORTAVADIE
SPA @ CAMERON HOUSE
SPA @ CAMERON HOUSE
This leisure experience offers the ultimate in relaxation for all. Featuring a 16 metre indoor pool, outdoor spa pools, scandanavian sauna and the largest outdoor infinity pool in Scotland.
Located 1hr drive away.
Castles....
No trip to Scotland would be complete without visiting one of our splendid iconic castles. Here are just a handful that you can visit from Arrochar within a day.
CARRICK CASTLE
DUMBARTON CASTLE
DUMBARTON CASTLE
Standing on a rock jutting in to Loch Goil, Carrick Castle is a 14th or 15th century tower, although there may have been a stronghold here from the 13th century or earlier. The castle as it stands today was built by the Campbells of Loch Awe. The castle was an important staging post for the journey between the Clyde and Loch Fyne and Mary Queen of Scots spent a night in the castle in 1563. The castle is now in private ownership so while seeing inside isn’t possible, we think the journey is still worthwhile and makes a great photograph on this pretty part of Loch Goil.
Getting there: Take the A83 north towards Oban, turn left on to the B828 at The Rest and Be Thankful, before joining the B829 towards Carrick Castle which is also a village.
Journey time: Approximately 35mins.
DUMBARTON CASTLE
DUMBARTON CASTLE
DUMBARTON CASTLE
Dumbarton Castle has the longest recorded history of any stronghold in Scotland. Overlooking the town of Dumbarton, it sits on a plug of volcanic basalt created 334 million years ago. This is known as Dumbarton Rock which is 240 feet high.
At least as far back as the iron age, this had been the site of a strategically important settlement as evidenced by archaeological finds. During Roman Britain times the people that came to reside there were known to trade with the Romans. The first written record of a settlement there was a letter that Saint Patrick wrote to King Ceretic of Alt Clut in the late 5th century.
In Medieval times Merlin was said to have stayed at Alt Clut, as it was known at the time. In the 1500’s Mary Queen of Scot’s was kept in the castle right up until her embarkation for France for her safety. Her boat sailed from here to France, going around the coast of western Ireland to avoid English ships.
More recently Dumbarton Castle and the rock has been used as a film set for the popular TV series Game of Thrones.
Getting there: Travel south on the A82 to the town of Dumbarton.
Journey time: approximately 30 mins.
EDINBURGH CASTLE
EDINBURGH CASTLE
EDINBURGH CASTLE
Edinburgh Castle is an historic fortress which dominates the skyline of Edinburgh, our capital city. Archaeologists have found evidence of human occupation of the rock that the castle sits on, dating back to at least the Iron Age. There had been a royal castle on the rock since at least the reign of David I in the 12th century, and it continued this use until 1633.
From the 15th century the castle’s residential role declined, and by the 17th century it was principally used as military barracks with a large garrison. Edinburgh castle was involved in many historical conflicts from the Wars of Scottish Independence in the 14th century to the Jacobite rising of the 1745. Research undertaken in 2014 identified 26 sieges in it’s 1100 year old history. This let it lay claim to having been the most besieged place in Great Britain and the most attacked in the world!
Today the castle receives over 2 million visitors a year, making it one of the most visited sights on earth. It also features the world famous Military Tattoo taking place in August each year.
Getting There: Take the A82 south and cross the Erskine Bridge towards Glasgow. From there take the M8 which will take you directly to Edinburgh.
Journey time: Approximately 1hr 45min
INVERARY CASTLE
EDINBURGH CASTLE
EDINBURGH CASTLE
The nearby Inveraray Castle is a beautiful building, in stunning grounds and resembles something from a fairytale. A country house on the edge of Loch Fyne, it is one of the earliest of Gothic Revival Architecture. Replacing a 15th century castle, work began on the present castle in 1743.
The castle originally had a flat round roof and it was only in later years that the steep conical roofs were added to the four round towers. The piece of history that stands out most about Inveraray Castle is the fact that they moved a whole village just so that the castle could enjoy a more secluded spot. In the 1770’s the village of Inveraray was demolished and rebuilt further away from the castle.
The castle is open to the public and has a collection of more than 1300 pikes, muskets swords and other weapons including preserved swords from the Battle of Culloden. The 13th Duke, Torquhil Ian Campbell, and his family live in private apartments occupying two floors between two of the four crenellated circular towers.
Getting there: head north from Arrochar on the A83 to Inverary.
Journey time: Approximately 30mins..
KILCHURN CASTLE
KILCHURN CASTLE
KILCHURN CASTLE
Although now a ruin, Kilchurn castle is one of the most beautiful and photographed castles in Scotland. Set at the side of Loch Awe with mountains behind, it makes for a very instagramable scene.
It was first constructed in the mid-15th century as the base for the Campbells of Glenrochy. After 150 years in residence, the campbells moved on after the building was badly damaged by lightening in 1760. The castle stopped being used and was in ruins by 1770. Today it contains the oldest surviving barracks on the British Mainland.
It is now in the care of Historic Environment Scotland and is opened to visitors in the summer. We still recommend visiting any time of the year to capture a stunning shot to take away with you. There is lay by next to a field on the A819 which offers the perfect spot to stop and take in the views of the castle, as well as the surrounding loch and mountains.
Getting there: Head north on the A83 to Inverary, before turning on to the A819 towards Loch awe.
Journey time: approximately 50 mins
STIRLING CASTLE
KILCHURN CASTLE
KILCHURN CASTLE
Stirling Castle is one of the largest and most important castles in Scotland. The castle sits atop Castle Hill which overlooks the infamous battle grounds where the Battle Of Stirling Bridge took place. It is surrounded on three sides by steep cliffs, giving it a strong defensive position.
The original castle was built in the 1200’s and the present buildings were mostly built between 1490 and 1600. Before the union with England, Stirling Castle was also one of the most used of the many Scottish Royal residences. Several Scottish Kings and Queens have been crowned there, including Mary Queen of Scots.
There have been at least eight sieges of the castle, with the last being in 1746, when Bonnie Prince Charlie unsuccessfully tried to take the castle.
Getting there: Take the A82 south to Balloch before turning left on to the A811 for Stirling.
Journey time: Approximately 1hr..
Whisky Trail....
Scotch whisky translates from Latin meaning “Water of Life”, and people all over the world enjoy having a wee dram. One of Scotland’s biggest exports, we recommend a trip to one of the following distilleries to find out the process involved in making this historic spirit. If you are driving, ask for yours to take away!
GLENGOYNE DISTILLERY
AUCHENTOSHAN DISTILLERY
AUCHENTOSHAN DISTILLERY
At Glengoyne they promise they do things differently. “We take you closer to the journey, further into the detail and deeper into the complexity of our spirit”. They have seven different distillery tours available. These range from the 45 min Glengoyne Tour up to the 5hr long Masterclass for true whisky enthusiasts. Please ask us about a discount voucher available exclusively to our guests.
Getting there: Head south on the A82 towards Balloch. At Balloch turn left on to the A811.
Journey time : Approximately 45mins.
AUCHENTOSHAN DISTILLERY
AUCHENTOSHAN DISTILLERY
AUCHENTOSHAN DISTILLERY
Pronounced “OCK-UN-TOSH-UN”, this distillery was established in 1823. In 1941 the distillery was badly damaged by a German bomb raid which halted the production of whisky from here during the second world war. They have a range of tours available which can be tailored to your needs.
Getting there: Head south on the A82 towards Glasgow. The distillery is just past the Erskine bridge.
Journey time: Approximately 40mins.
OBAN DISTILLERY
DEANSTON DISTILLERY
DEANSTON DISTILLERY
Nestling beneath the steep cliff that overlooks Oban, one of Scotland’s oldest sources of Single Malt Scotch Whisky is just a short meander from the sea. They have 3 different tours to chose from.
Getting there: Head north on the A83. The distillery is in Oban Town Centre.
Journey time: 1hr 15mins.
DEANSTON DISTILLERY
DEANSTON DISTILLERY
DEANSTON DISTILLERY
Complete with a visitor centre, they will take their guests on a tour through time. Find out how the once cotton mill evolved in to the modern day distillery that stands today. There are 6 tours available to choose from.
Getting there: Head south on the A82 before taking the A811 at Balloch. Continue towards Blair Drummond Safari Park.
Journey time: Approximately 1hr.