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An enchanting ruined priory on a magical island - only 30 minutes from Appletree Cottage

21/8/2018

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Appletree luxury holiday rental day out to Inchmahome Priory
Inchmahome Priory, Lake of Menteith, - only 30 mins from Appletree Cottage)

Its another lovely day at Appletree Cottage!


Today we travel thirty minutes in the car to Port of Monteith and take a small ferry across to Inchmahome island and its magnificent and atmospheric ruined priory.

A day out from Appletree Cottage to visit the   Inchmahome isle and Priory on Lake of Menteith


Our jouney to Port of Menteith takes us just under half an hour. 
Leaving Appletree Cottage we drive down to Croftamie village and then along the A811 past Drymen.  At Ballat crossroads we turn left up the A81 towards Aberfoyle.  Shortly before Aberfoyle at the roundabout next to the Rob Roy Hotel we turn right along the A81 to Port of Menteith.
Port of Menteith is a small hamlet beside Lake of Menteith.
Once in Port of Menteith hamlet we take the right hand turn onto the B8034 (towards Arnprior), past the excellent Port of Menteith Hotel, past Lake of Menteith fisheries (where you can hire fishing boats and tackle by the hour)   and park a few hundred yards down this road on the right in the car park signposted “Inchmahome Priory”.

Ferry to Inchmahome from Appletree Self Catering Cottage, Loch Lomond
This doorway leads from the car park through to the jetty
Lake of Menteith ferry day out from Appletree Cottage Loch Lomond
The ferry boat at the jetty, waiting for passengers
From the shore by the car park two small boats, each seating up to 12 people, regularly ferry visitors to the island of Inchmahome and its famous priory during the summer months.
We board the first boat which is waiting and take our seats. 
We don’t part with any money at this stage as payment is taken once on the island.  The enterprise is run by Historic Environment Scotland.  Charges are £7.50 per adult – but many membership cards are accepted – including English Heritage cardholders who go free.
It is a beautiful day and the waters are like glass with the occasional fishing dingy dotted here and there.
Fishing from Appletree Self Catering Cottage Loch Lomond
Fishermen await their catch on still waters

Lake of Menteith is Scotland’s only lake (everything else is a loch). 

Wikipedia differs on this point citing a few other lakes – but all very small.
The word 'lake' in this case is supposed to have been a misinterpretation of 'Laich of Menteith' which means lowlands of Menteith.

There is no public jetty on the lake and so all boats have to be hired on site. 
The shores are particularly good for bird spotting - especially in the early hours of the day.

After a few minutes boat ride we arrive at the small stone pier.  Following a few notes about the island given by the somewhat bumptious skipper we are permitted to disembark.
Inchmahome from Appletree Self Catering Cottage Loch Lomond
Prices and information about Inchmahome Priory island crossing
Lake of Menteith near Appletree Self Catering Lodge Loch Lomond
We pass the other ferry heading away from Inchmahome island (on the right)
 The name "Inchmahome" comes from the Gaelic Innis MoCholmaig, which means Island of St Colmaig. The priory, founded in 1238 by the Earl of Menteith, Walter Comyn, for a small community of the Augustinian order (the Black Canons is said to replace an earlier structure on the island.
The buildings are in a semi ruinous state but the remains and the surrounding grounds around them have been beautifully maintained and are in pristine condition.  Information boards around the buildings give visitors a guide as to what the various sections were used for and some artistes reconstructions are interesting.
Among its many prominent visitors the priory was one of many hide-away places for Mary Queen of Scots as she sought to escape the clutches of Elizabeth 1st and her court.
Appletree Self Catering Lodge excursion
Looking south along the eastern wall of the cloisters
Inchmahome excursion from Appletree Self Catering Accommodation Loch Lomond
Perfect semicircle arch above the main window. A gargoyle can be made out at the top of the left hand pillar
Inchmahome Priory excursion from Appletree Cottage, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs
Two different types of arches in the main body of the priory
Lake of Menteith excursion from Appletree Self Catering Lodge
Many of the walls have been repaired and preserved
Inchmahome Priory
The barrel vaulted space contained the warming room where incumbants were permitted to warm themselves by a fire
Inchmahome Priory, Lake of Menteith
The one roofed area which remains has been turned into a mausoleum.
Inchmahome Priory, Lake of MenteithInside the mausoleum Walter Stewart and Countess Mary are depicted in a loving embrace



Besides the Priory ruins there are other interests on the island.  Some of the trees are said to be over 500 years old.  We came across an interesting sweet chestnut tree.  A large area of the land is covered with brambles which are very nearly ripe.  They taste so much better than the common blackberry which is easy to mistake as bramble.
Under the twisting chestnut tree..
Under the twisting chestnut tree...
A path leads around the entire perimeter of the island.  After exploring the priory we walk along the western shoreline.  Trees dip into the water and the ripples glisten in the sunshine.  In the distance the fishermen sit poised on their craft whilst here and there a trout leaps.
Idyllic! 
Inchtulla from Inchmahome, Lake of Menteith, Scotland
Looking west. Inchtulla can be seen on the right, its ruined castle remains hidden in the foliage
Just to the west we can see the tiny island of Inchtalla .  Although appearing as a mass of trees, lost within the undergrowth lie the ruined remains of Talla Castle.  More information about this can be found here: https://canmore.org.uk/site/24064/lake-of-menteith-inch-talla-talla-castle
Map of Inchmahome
One of the many information boards on the island
We decide it is time to take the return ferry (they run regularly until late afternoon) and so make our way to the peir.  As we near the pier on the mainland we get a good view of The Lake of Menteith Hotel on the shore.  Beautifully situated next the ancient church the hotel serves excellent food and makes an ideal stop for lunch or dinner.
Soon we are safely ashore and back in the car and heading back to Appletree Cottage,  having had a thoroughly magical time on this mystical island.
Lake of Menteith ferry from Appletree Luxury Self Catering Cottage Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park
A ferry awaits to take us off the island
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A day out walking in the lovely Luss hills

21/8/2018

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Walking day out from Appletree Luxury Holiday Rental Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond from the Luss Hills

Its another beautiful day at Appletree Cottage!

Today we fancy a walk - something moderate and within easy reach.  
We see the Luss hills in the distance almost every day we're out in the car.  Today is the day to explore them further.

From Appletree Self Catering Cottage to Luss

Luss is a pretty estate village on the western shore of Loch Lomond.  There is little traffic and a wander through the village is very popular with tourists. 
From Appletree Cottage we drive to Croftamie then along the A811 to Balloch.  We travel straight through Balloch and up onto the A82 towards Crianlarich.  After another fifteen minutes we see a turn off to Luss on the right.  Shortly after this on the left is a single track road signposted Glenn Luss.  We turn into this single track road and park on the right - just opposite the Faerie Trail experience ​(A fairy forest trail for younger children, website at: https://www.lochlomondfaerietrail.com)   
Close to where we parked (no charge) and on the same side of the road is the beginning of a path to Ben Dubh with a signpost pointing the way.
Journey from Appletree Cottage to Beinn Dubh
Signpost point the way to the Beinn Dubh path
Journey from Appletree Holiday Cottage Loch Lomond to Beinn Dubh near Luss
Signpost point the way to the Beinn Dubh path from the other side of 'kissing gate'
Beinn Dubn from Appletree Self Catering Cottage Loch Lomond
A short flight of stone steps take us up to a gate at the foot of the path to Beinn Dubh summit.
The first part of the path is a brief gentle ascent through pasture, shortly after followed by a meandering trail through a young birch wood with high bracken on the upper reaches.
Day out from Appletree Self Catering Cottage Loch Lomond
First part of the path up to Beinn Dubh, the peak of which can be seen in the sunshine on the far left
Beinn Dubh day out from Appletree Self Catering Cottage Loch Lomond
Gate on the Beinn Dubh path leading into the birch wood
,After about ten minutes we were clear of the birch trees and the land opened out into heather and grass land.  As we climbed the views across Loch Lomond grew more spectacular with the definition of the many islands becoming clearer.  We could see the pretty village of Luss nestling on the shore below us. 
In the picture below the small island just off Luss is Fraoch Eilean.  Tradition has it that if you caused trouble you could end up on Fraoch island.  In one map of 1792 plan of Dunbartsontshire Fraoch Eilean is marked as "Luss Prison"
Loch Lomond on a day out from Appletree Cottage
Looking down on the village of Luss. The island just off shore is Fraoch Island, at one time served as Luss Prison
On our best behaviour we continue our steady climb upwards.  The path is well established and easy to follow.  It is obviously a popular route but even though we are walking during the peak of the summer holidays, on a weekend and in clear sunny weather we encounter only a handful of people during the entire expidition.

Loch Lomond day out from Appletree Cottage
As we gain height the views become ever more spectacular
After a couple of false summits we reach the cairn at the top of Beinn Dubh (black hill)  From there the views are fantastic.  We can see Glasgow to the south, Loch Lomond and its many islands with the distinctive Conic hill to the east with the towering magnificent mountain of Ben Lomond further up the loch.  To the north we can see some of the famous “Arrochar Alps”.
Hill walk day out from Appletree Cottage
Some rain clouds appear to the west as we near the summit cairn of Beinn Dubh
Looking west from the summit of Beinn Dubh we can see an enticing horseshoe of hills.  A glance at the map showed us that a walk across to Beinn Ruisg then round to Balcnock and descending via Craperoch could be achieved with minimal rise or fall.  However, also to the west we can see some dark rain clouds creeping in from the distance so decide to make our descent back to Luss with a plan to tackle the horseshoe another day when we were better prepared.
Summit of Beinn Dubh from Appletree Self Catering Cottage Loch Lomond
Looking north from the summit of Beinn Dubh towards the hills around Arrochar known locally as "The Arrochar Alps"
We make it back down to the bottom of the hill, safe and dry.  Fortunately the rainclouds did not affect us.
All in all a fantastic and relatively easy peaceful walk with fantastic views throughout – and now back to Appletree Cottage with plans for a return trip another day!
The Luss Hills on a day out from Appletree Self Catering Cottage Loch Lomond
Beinn Dubh is on the right with a horseshoe of summits to the left of it
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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