I awoke in Dundee without yet figuring out where I would spend the night. With four days before I visit my friends in Plockton I could either go north towards Inverness, a city I had fully visited before or retrace my steps to Glasgow and then head up the West Highland Way to the wee port of Malliag. I chose the latter.
Balloch is on the southern end of the vast Loch Lomond and a town that, although a bit tired, still has certain advantages. The Lomond Park Hotel is my go to spot here. A couple hundred steps from the rail terminus and 45 minutes out of Gladgow is one of the best deals I have found. Comfortable, fair priced rooms with pub under (be advised to skip this is you plan to go to bed early on a weekend as it is hopping) with good restaurants within s short walk and the bonny bonny banks of Loch Lomond to wander along.
The train from Dundee allowed views of the east countryside
The River Leven
There is nothing left of Balloch Castle built in 1238 buy the Earl of Lennox but in 1808 John Buchanan a Glasgow ship builder had this pile built. Now owned by the City of Glasgow it awaits funds for renovation.
This tree has obviously survived for hundreds of years but but I’m feart it has very little heart remaining, It’ll probably outlive me.
The former vegetable garden for the castle has been transformed into a wee park within the park.
And with the views from the newer castle one understands why this location was chosen.
I had hoped the seaplane on the left would lift off so I could capture it but it sped out of sight before taking to the air.
And back to the hotel from the Co-op.
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