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On a beautiful clear sunny day we drove for a a few minutes up the east side of Loch Lomond from Drymen to the pretty Sallochy Bay for exercise in the fresh air..  A jetty north of Sallochy Bay looking south. Sallochy Bay is just a couple of miles past Milarrochy Bay which we visited in the mist and fog.. (see blog) Sallochy Bay car park and camp site which is on the West Highland Way is run by the forestry commission and is a small well kept peaceful area on the eastern shore of the loch. Across the water the magnificent Luss hills rise out of the water covered in snow at this time of year.  View to the west on a gorgeous January afternoon
 The path through the woods follows the shoreline.
 Jetty pointing south All the way along the route we come across one secluded small bay after another  Many secluded tiny bays are.on the route Sallochy lies on a strata of slate which runs through from the Aberfoyle Slate Quarries across Loch Lomond to Luss on the western shore and beyond. The small slate pebbles make excellent material for skiing stones across the surface of the water. Many happy hours can be spent doing this!  Skiffing stones can be an absorbing pastime  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..  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  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. 
 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!  A duck (male mallard)  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.   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.  Appletree Self Catering Cottage and the sunset. Hopefully this means that the weather will be good tomorrow!
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  Looking down the 6th at Strathendrick Golf Course Strathendrick Golf ClubThis 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.  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.  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.  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.  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.  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.  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.  On a gorgeous crisp clear sunny January day we take a walk up the famous Whangie.  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 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.  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..  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..  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 WhangieThe Whangie arrives quite suddenly and unexpectedly. It is not like any of the hills or geology which surround it.  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.
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  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  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.  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.  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!  The cairn looking east along Forth Valley towards Killearn, Balfron and Stirling 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.  Best foot forward  Male pheasant by the corner of Appletree Cottage  Appletree cottage with pheasant foreground  Appletree Cottage on a foggy day Trees in the fogThe day had a feeling of Sleepy Hollow about it...  Solitary tree  The road to Croftamie village  Oak tree in the paddock  Our apple orchard in the mist Stunningly beautiful Weather here in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park  Mighty peak of Ben Lomond  Ready for a new adventure  The Arrochar Alps looking west  Boats patiently awaiting for the return of visitors We're looking forward to when visitors are allowed to return to this wonderful area... Can't wait to have you back  Unspoilt scenery  Clean fresh air and peacefulness  Ceaselessly stunning vistas Haste ye back! |
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