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 Loch Lomond at Balmaha |
Measuring twenty-seven and a half square miles, Loch Lomond is the largest single inland waterway in Britain. It is a haven for tourists, being only 20 miles north-west of Glasgow and on one of the main routes north.
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Loch Lomond was formed during the Ice Age by the action of glaciers. Later it was at the junction of three ancient kingdoms, Strathclyde, Dalriada and Pictland. The loch also crosses the highland fault line, noticeable in its changing character and more rugged terrain moving from south to north. The highest mountain in the area and the most southerly Munro, Ben Lomond (3195ft), sits on the loch's eastern shore.
 Cruise Boats, Balloch |
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 The Lomond Princess |
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 The Inversnaid Hotel |
There are 37 islands in the loch, some having seen habitation: they made perfect retreats for early Christians. One island, Inchmurrin, takes its name from the missionary St Mirrin who spent some time there.
The main tourist focus is on the western shore of the loch, along the A82 and at the southern end, around Balloch. Here is the place to head for boat trips around the loch or to view the pleasure craft. This is also the home of Maid of the Loch, an authentic paddle steamer currently undergoing restoration. Near by, the new Loch Lomond Shores development is attracting large numbers of visitors. Balloch Pier is also used by Loch Lomond Seaplanes as the departure point of some of their flights.
Most picturesque of Loch Lomond's villages is Luss on the west bank. Its streets are laid out in a linear pattern and were originally part of the planned estate village built by the Colquhouns. Recently restored, they present a pretty sight, as does the parish church with its interesting central altar. But most striking are the views from the loch-side walk and pier, extending uninterrupted along the loch.
Also on the western side are the villages of Arden, Tarbet and, most northerly, Ardlui. Arden boasts Scotland's most beautiful Youth Hostel, housed in a grand turreted building complete with ghost. Tarbet, 17 miles north of Balloch, is on the West Highland line from Glasgow to Mallaig as is Ardlui at the mountain-framed head of the loch.
From Inverbeg, halfway between Luss and Tarbet, passenger ferries cross Loch Lomond to Rowardennan on the eastern side. Here there is a hotel and a Youth Hostel. This is the quiet side of the loch and few tourists venture north of here.
The eastern side carries the West Highland Way on its route north to Fort William from its start point at Milngavie just north of Glasgow; and from the car park at the end of the public road just beyond Rowardennan Hotel, is the start of the 'tourist route' up Ben Lomond.
The main place of habitation and also of tourism on this side of the loch is the village of Balmaha, at the end of the B837. Sitting directly behind it is Conic Hill, a humpy mound that marks the geological line where the highlands begin. This is a busy place in summer, being the stepping off point for boat excursions round Loch Lomond's islands.
