LUXURY SELF CATERING FOR EIGHT, FULLY EN-SUITE, LOCH LOMOND 2021
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Magical mist at Milarrochy Bay, Loch Lomond

24/1/2021

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Self Catering for eight Loch Lomond
Still waters at Milarrochy Bay
Another misty January day here at Appletree Cottage and Shandon Farm.  So we hop in the car and head up to Milarrochy Bay, just past Balmaha on the east shore of Loch Lomond and about 15 minutes away.  The car park is nearly empty and just a handful of people have come to exercise here..
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Is this the most photographed tree on Loch Lomond?
As we arrived the mists were beginning to clear.   Looking to the north the sun was beginning to warm the hills
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Looking north from Milarrochy Bay Loch Lomond
Milarrochy bay is a hugely popular place for swimmers, sunbathers and paddlers in the summer.  However hardly a soul was to be seen there today.
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Balmaha self catering Loch Lomond
Tom Weir resting on his travels
After a bit of a walk at Milarrochy we headed home stopping off briefly at Balmaha.  The boatyard is currently closed to all visitors but we walked round to the pier past the statue of Tom Wier the famous climber and walker who for many years hosted his travelogue of Scotland on Scottish Television.  Brother of Molly Weir ("Cleans baths without scratching" and star of Rentaghost, he must have covered hundreds of miles in his pursuit of exploring the remoter parts of Scotland.
Balmaha from Appletree Self Catering Loch Lomond
The pontoons and moorings at Balmaha were encased in ice
The moorings and pontoons at Balmaha were frozen over but the ice nearest the shore had been broken - perhaps by the ducks which seemed very keen to greet us!
Self catering near Balmaha Loch Lomond
A duck (male mallard)
Self catering near Balmaha Loch Lomond
Another duck (female mallard)
After our brief stroll down to the passenger pier it was back in the car and return to Appletree Cottage and Shandon Farm.
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Beautiful Sunset at Appletree this evening

20/1/2021

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Looking west (of course) from Appletree's patio
A dry but overcast day which gave way to this magnificent sunset.  Rushed indoors to get the camera and just made it in time.
Luxury self catering for eight Loch Lomond
Appletree Self Catering Cottage and the sunset.
Hopefully this means that the weather will be good tomorrow!
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Sun, snow and blue skies - a perfect day

15/1/2021

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We've had a few days of snow here at Appletree Cottage which gives a whole different appearance to the area.  Stunning when the sun is out.  By way of exercise we went for a walk around Strathendrick Golf Course which is one mile away from Appletree Cottage
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Looking down the 6th at Strathendrick Golf Course

Strathendrick Golf Club

This excellent and beautifully maintained nine hole course was created in the early 1900s,  by Willie Fernie.  As well as some challenging holes it has some of the bet views you will find on a golf course anywhere.
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The original distinctive clubhouse is still in position but there was not a should around when we visited on this snowy day apart from a couple of dog walkers in the distance.  
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A herd of deer occupied the fourth hole - taking their opportunities whilst the course was empty. they quickly legged up to the 5th as we approached.
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Sun, snow and blue skies were the order of the day. We appeared to be the first people to cross the bridge over the gorge on the second hole that afternoon.
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The course is open to visitors and charges a modest fee for a day ticket.  Apart from competition days there is usually plenty of space.  It is well worth a visit.
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As we walked back to the car we walked along the bank of the Endrick Water which runs along the western side of the course.  Ice was beginning to form on the water as the temperature dropped.
Luxury self catering for eight people
Appletree Cottage Luxury fully en-suite self catering for eight people.
After an excellent walk it was back to Shandon Farm and Appletree Cottage for a cup of tea.
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A beautiful day to go up the Whangie!

12/1/2021

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On a gorgeous crisp clear sunny January day we take a walk up the famous Whangie.
The Whangie from luxury self catering Loch Lomond
Part of the famous Whangie rock formations
The Whangie is a bizarre and most unusual rock formation at the eastern end of the Kilpatrick hills.   To get to it we drove for ten minutes south from Appletree Cottage and along the A809 until reaching Queen's View car park.  From there a track leads up the side of the hill to the site.
The Whangie luxury self catering for eight
The path from Queen's View car park up to the Whangie
Although the path has been made up and maintained - with good styles, gates and walks over the boggiest bits it is recommended that secure stout footwear is worn.  
The path follows the north flank of the hill and can be icy in winter.  
The walk up to the Whangie takes about 30-40 minutes.
luxury self catering for eight Loch Lomond
View to the north looking up Loch Lomond. Ben Lomond is the highest peak on the right.
The views on the ascent are fantastic.  To the north one can see Loch Lomond with Ben Lomond towering above it on the eastern side whilst the Arrochar Alps in the distance look exciting for further adventure on another day!  
​To the east there are views down the fourth valley with Killearn and Balfron villages nestling in the dip..
Killearn luxury self catering for eight
Looking east down the Fourth Valley with the villages of Killearn and Balfron in the middle distance
And to the south east lie the Campsie hills..
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The western end fo the Campsie Hills with Drumgoyne being the lump centre of frame. At the foot of Drumgoyne is the famous (and excellent) Glengoyne distillery

Arriving at the Whangie

The Whangie arrives quite suddenly and unexpectedly.  It is not like any of the hills or geology which surround it.
Luxury family self catering Loch Lomond
Part of The Whangie
An unusual geological phenomenon the Whangie is the result of what is called "glacial plucking". This is caused when extreme low temperatures froze slabs of the basalt rock to the glacier.  As the glacier moved the rocks stayed attached and were plucked from the hillside, causing a split and lean sheer rock walls rising above either side of the gap.
Family self catering for eight loch lomond
Looking through the fissure in the rock
Family self catering for eight loch lomond
It is possible to walk all the way through the cleft in the hillside
PictureFamily self catering for eight loch lomond
The craggy vertical sides are very popular with climbers
Family self catering for eight loch lomond
Ancient rocks shaped by glaciers and wind
The Whangie is hugely popular with local climbers due to it being easily accessible.  The craggy stable rocks form many faces, gully and chimneys for the climbers to try out, practice and learn their skills.
More about climbing at the Whangie and its various routes can be found here: ​https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crags/the_whangie-193
Luxury holiday cottage Loch Lomond
Looking north from the Whangie to Loch Lomond and its surrounding hills
After a good look around we climbed to the trig point at the top of the hill and thence to a cairn on the east.   From there the views were panoramic.  As well as Loch Lomond and its surrounding hills to the north, the Forth Valley to the east and the Campsie, we could see south to Glasgow with the distant high rise flats on its outskirts clearly visible in the bright sunshine
Luxury cottage for eight Loch Lomond
Looking down to Glasgow and the south.
We followed the crest of the hill on the journey back to the car.  This we agreed was preferable to the initial climb route as it was in the sun and less icy - although a little boggy here and there.
As the terrain began to tail off down hill we were treated to an excellent view of Glengoyne Distillery at the foot of Drumgoyne hill.
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Glengoyne distillery is the white building on the left, Drumgoyne is the smaller pointy hill centre right.
Glengoyne is one of the few whiskies in Scotland to be made without the use of peat.  The water for its superb distillation is taken from the burn which runs down the hillside.
Appletree Cottage luxury self catering Loch Lomond and the Trossachs national park
Looking towards Ben Lomond in the distance. Appletree Cottage is the building to the left of the white farmhouse and red roofed barn in the centre of frame (Shandon Farm)
After a great walk we made our way down to Queen's view car park and drove back to Appletree Cottage at Shandon Farm - with perhaps the prospect of a dram of Glengoyne later!
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The cairn looking east along Forth Valley towards Killearn, Balfron and Stirling
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Foggy day and a feathered friend

7/1/2021

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Freezing fog around Appletree Cottage today.  I was out taking photos when I came across this pheasant looking a little surprised to see me.  The cottage has been empty for some time due to covid and he may have become used to having the run of the place with nobody around to disturb him.
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Best foot forward
Luxury holiday rental Loch Lomond scotland
Male pheasant by the corner of Appletree Cottage
Luxury self catering for eight Scotland loch lomond
Appletree cottage with pheasant foreground
Luxury self catering for eight Scotland loch lomond
Appletree Cottage on a foggy day

Trees in the fog

The day had a feeling of Sleepy Hollow about it...
Luxury self catering for eight Scotland loch lomond
Solitary tree
Luxury self catering for eight Scotland loch lomond
The road to Croftamie village
Luxury self catering for eight Scotland loch lomond
Oak tree in the paddock
Luxury self catering for eight Scotland loch lomond
Our apple orchard in the mist
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Happy New Year from Appletree Cottage 2021!

1/1/2021

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Stunningly beautiful Weather here in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park

Self Catering for eight Trossachs
Mighty peak of Ben Lomond
luxury self caters Loch Lomond & Trossachs
Ready for a new adventure
Luxury holiday home Loch Lomond and the Trossachs
The Arrochar Alps looking west
Luxury Self Catering Loch Lomond
Boats patiently awaiting for the return of visitors

We're looking forward to when visitors are allowed to return to this wonderful area...

Self Catering cottage for eight Loch Lomond
Can't wait to have you back
Self catering for eight Loch Lomond
Unspoilt scenery
Self catering holiday cottage Loch Lomond Scotland
Clean fresh air and peacefulness
Vacation rental for eight Loch Lomond scotland uk
Ceaselessly stunning vistas

Haste ye back!

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  • HOME
  • SEE INSIDE
    • Why Appletree is fantastic!
  • STEP OUTSIDE
    • Local shops, pubs & eateries
    • About Shandon Farm
  • THINGS TO DO
    • Highland games dates
  • BOOK HERE!
  • ACCESSIBILITY
  • CONTACT US
  • BLOG & INFO