In March we took the train from Helensburgh Upper to Oban for a day out. from Appletree Cottage (see previous blog)
When we arrived at Oban in the late morning we walked round onto the Railway Pier which is adjacent to the railway station and found the famous green seafood shack.

This stall has existed for quite a number of years now and over that time has expanded to include some appropriately designed alfresco seating.
The choice and quality of the seafood is amazing.  Lobsters, crabs, crayfish, prawns, scallops and much more.  Whilst we were waiting for our order we noticed a Japanese group who had ordered lobster and crayfish.  They were kind enough to allow us to photograph their choice!

Our selection was a little smaller but none the less tasty - freshly cooked scallops in garlic and butter with brown bread

The view from the alfresco dining space is right across Oban bay.  We watched ferries to the islands and fishing boats come and go whilst we enjoyed our excellent seafood.

After our scallops we wandered along the seafront to the North Pier (the red roofed pier) where we had a fantastic fish meal in Ee Usk.
Oban is only a couple of hours away from Appletree Holiday Cottage Loch Lomond but has much to offer - especially for enthusiasts of fish and seafood!

We left Appletree Cottage at 0820 and drove to Helensburgh Upper station to catch the 0907 train north.  The journey to the railway station  took just over thirty five minutes but we had allowed a bit of extra time for road works.  
​The route to the station was very easy.  We took the A811 to Balloch, drove through Balloch and joined the A82 north.  About a mile after the Cameron House and Duck Bay Marina turnoff we turned right at a roundabout and took the A818 to Helensburgh.
Shortly after we entered Helensburgh town and could see the river Clyde ahead in the distance,  we found Helensburgh Upper station on the right hand side of the road with free parking immediately outside the entrance.
(Note: Helensburgh Upper station should not be confused with Helensburgh Central Station, trains from which go to Glasgow)
Soon the train arrived and we quickly located our carriage and climbed aboard to find our seats.  We had booked our tickets on the internet a couple of days before (www.scotrail.co.uk) and had been lucky enough to reserve seats with a table.  This meant that we could open out our Ordinance Survey maps and follow our route as we made our journey to Oban.

Our carriage was only about half full for although this was a Saturday it was still out of season.  The first sign of real business for the line would not be for a couple of weeks when at Easter visitor numbers would noticeably increase. 
Having taken our seats the doors slid shut, the engine revved and we were off and gently glided out of the station.
We had had a light breakfast before leaving Appletree Cottage but none the less found the comestibles availed by the onboard catering trolley enticing with its teas, coffees and large choice of snacks.
With our hot drinks in front of us we settled back to enjoy the journey.

The first section was high along the shores of the Gare Loch.  Below we could see the Kilcreggan Peninsula and the village of Clynder on the far side of the water. 
This was an ideal time of year to travel this route as the leaves were not yet on the lineside trees meaning that views were not obstructed by greenery.  Our day was made even more special as the previous night there had been a light fall of snow which was still lying on all the high ground providing spectacular and unforgettable views.

The West Highland Railway has repeatedly been voted amongst the most scenic in the world and today we were seeing it at its very best.  Excellent!
 
Soon we arrived at our first station – Garelochhead.  Like many stations on the line the station was built as an island platform with access provided by a subway and stairs from the road.  This design was a cost preference at the time of construction as only one set of station buildings are required on an island platform.  (With a platform either side of the tracks buildings required duplication – waiting rooms, toilets etc.
After a short stop we are on our way again.  We leave Gareloch and head over an inland summit to descend high above another body of water – this time Loch Long.  We can easily make out the entrance to Loch Goil on the far shore.  The mountains are all higher than the ones in Gairloch and look tremendous with their snowy summits.

We travel high above the shores of Loch Long the famous Ben Arthur slowly glides into view.  More commonly known as The Cobbler the rocky crags on the peak have been supposed by our ancestors to resemble a cobbler bending over his last (a last is a mount onto which a cobbler puts a shoe on when making and  repairing) 
The Cobbler is the southern most of a range of Munros known locally as the Arrochar Alps.  A Munro is a hill over 300ft in Scotland and the hills of the Arrochar Alps provide some of the best climbing and are only 40 minutes drive from Appletree Cottage Holiday Home.
On the shore opposite the Cobbler, immediately below us we can see the roof tops of the village of Arrochar.
Soon we were at our next station – Arrochar and Tarbet.  This station, as the name suggests is half way between and shared by Arrochar and Tarbet villages.   Whilst Arrochar is on Loch Long, Tarbert is on Loch Lomond.  Tarbet from the Gaelic means isthmus or narrow pass o land.  There are several Tarbets or Tarberts in Scotland (spelling varies) and they are all situated on narrow strips of land between two bodies of water. 

Soon we are on our way again and within a couple of minutes we are above the shores of Loch Lomond with the mighty Ben Lomond (3196ft or 974m)
The views to the south looking down Loch Lomond are quite amazing in the ever changing light. 
We continue our journey now heading due north along the western shore of Loch Lomond and over the only stone built viaduct on the West Highland section of the line.  The story has it that the viaduct had to be built of stone at the land owner’s stipulation as he was concerned that the railway should blend into the landscape. 
The next station is Ardlui.  Ardlui (Àird Laoigh in Gaelic meaning the high ground of the calves) is a small hamlet on the banks of the loch.  It boasts a hotel, a small marina, a railway station and a few houses.  This is a popular stop for hill walkers at the beginning and end of the day as the hills rise directly up from the station and provide spectacular views from their peaks.

After Ardlui we travel through the wild and lonely Glen Falloch which virtually no habitation visible.  On the hills however glimpses can be seen of the remains of the ancient Caledonian forest which originally covered swathes of Scotland.

we The train snakes around the tortuous curves climbing all the way to our next destination Crianlarich at the northern end of Glen Falloch.
Crianlarich is a neatly laid out station some imagine to be Swiss in appearance is complete with original North British Railway engine shed which houses the snow plough and the famous platform tea room.  Often trains will stop long enough for passengers to pay a quick visit to the tearoom to purchase home made cakes etc.
Although we had eaten at Appletree Cottage we found that there is always room for cake!

Crianlarich is the point at which the train divides and after a bit of jiggling to and fro the Oban section (which on our day of travel comprised the front two coaches) was released. 
The Oban line from Crianlarich is reached via a spur curve descending off to the west of the station.  The West Highland Line continues straight on via a bridge over Strathfillan.
As we leave Crianlarich we begin to pick up speed.  The line is fairly level and much straighter than that on which we have travelled up until now.   As we hurry down Strathfillan we can see the line to Fort William and Mallaig rise up the contours on the other side of the valley.

After a few minutes we arrived at the village of Tyndrum (Gaelic spelling Tigh an Druim meaning house on the ridge.  Although a tiny village Tyndrum boasts two railway stations – Tyndrum Upper on the north side for trains to Fort William and Mallaig and Tyndrum Lower for trains to Oban. 
Tyndrum Lower was for a number of years in the 1870s the terminus of the Callander – Oban line whilst the promoters tried to raise funding for the continuation towards Oban.  In that period travel the journey further west had to be completed by horse and coach.
Tyndrum does not do things by halves and in addition to its two railway stations the village boasts a gold mine.  The mine at time of writing is being re-opened having lain dormant for a number of years.  Originally opened in the 1800s and producing Gold and Lead the mine fell into disuse.  The relatively recent rise in the gold price has once again made the profitability of the mine seem possible and although situated within the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park permission has been given to redevelop the mine.

The journey from Tyndrum to our next stop Dalmally is achieved at relative speed.  The jointed rails provide the traditional railway beat of da da da dum,  da da da dum as the wheels cross the rail joints.  This sound has now vanished from trunk routes as the rail sections have been replaced with continuous rail.   On the road running parallel to the railway the cars appear to be racing the train as we thunder down Glen Lochy.

From Dalmally it is a short journey down hill to the shore of Loch Awe.  Looking westward out to the loch we see the dramatic outline of the ruin of Kilchurn Castle.  This castle is well worth a visit since the access to the building has been substantially improved in recent years with internal wooden walkways and guide plaques providing a great visitor experience.
Soon we arrive at Loch Awe Station right down on the loch side.  From this station small steam boats would ferry visitors around the loch.  A hotel directly above the station has commanding views across the loch.  Now largely a stop for hikers and walkers the station was also a destination for workers tending the large pumped storage dam (only one of four in the UK) on Ben Cruachan above the station.  The idea of this dam is that in off peak times surplus electricity is used to pump water from Loch Awe to the reservoir dam 1299ft/396m up on the hill.  In times of peak electricity demand the water in the dam can be released through the generating turbines and full generating capacity of 440MW achieved  within 5 minutes.
The guided trip inside Ben Cruachan power station is well worth a visit.  A bus takes you deep into the heart of the mountain where massive turbine generators lie within the cavernous depths - very like a James Bond set!

From Loch Awe station we travel along the shore of the Loch and through the Pass of Brander.
This is a narrow pass with steep valley walls festooned with huge boulders.  As we travel through the pass we see the pairs of semaphore signals on the water side of the track.  These signals set at clear (upwards) position are connected to a series of wires strung between posts on the hill side of the track.  The idea of this is that should a boulder dislodge and come bouncing down the hill the boulder would come into contact with the wires and trigger the signals to danger.  The system was installed in the late nineteenth century when the line was built and is still in use today.  It is known colloquially as Anderson’s Piano because it was devised by the lines main backer and activist John Anderson and also because when the wind catches the wires they can sometimes vibrate to create a humming sound.
After the Pass of Brander we start to see the shores of Loch Etive and across the water the massive cliff face of Bonawe Quarries – reputedly one of the highest quarry faces in the uk.
The train began to slow as we entered the village of Taynuilt.
The countryside has become a patchwork of small farms and green rolling hills with mountains as a distant backdrop.

Taynuilt is perhaps the largest settlement we have visited since leaving Helensburgh – and it is still just  village.
On the north side of the village are the well preserved remains of an iron furnace which was founded in 1753 by Cumbrian iron masters attracted by the abundant trees in the area for making charcoal.  At its height the furnace produced 700 tonnes of pig iron some of which was used as cannon balls in the Napoleonic Wars.
From Taynuilt we head westwards along the shore of Loch Etive.  On the far side we saw the ancient buildings of Ardchattan Priory where the last gaelic speaking parliament held court.  Ruins and gravestones survive from these days and beyond.

Connel Station is a shadow of what it used to be.  Still known as Connel Ferry this station was the junction for the line which ran over the massive cantilevered Connel Bridge up the coast to Ballachullish.  The line closed in 1966 but much of its remains still survive – most notably the bridges crossing Loch Etive and Loch Creran.
Connel Station at one time had four platforms, two signal boxes, a footbridge and station buildings.  Now it has one platform and a bus shelter type of protection against the wind and rain.
Connel Ferry is the last station before Oban which is only five miles distant.  First of all we climb, away from the water and up into the hills to the top of Glen Cruitten.  On crossing the summit we make a steep winding descent into Oban finally arriving at the station on the railway pier two hours and twenty minutes after leaving Helensburgh Upper and three hours after departing Appletree Cottage, Loch Lomond.

The last few days have seen heavy snowfalls here at Appletree Cottage.  About 30cms with drifts rising much higher. 

It is certainly the heaviest snow we've had in Croftamie since we moved back to Scotland from London in 2013. 

Snow consistency was very light and powdery so not ideal for making snowmen or igloos!

​Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National park is an area of outstanding beauty in Scotland covering 720 square miles (1,865 sq. km.)  Stretching from the west coast to the edge of the central belt the area was designated a national park in 2002 in recognition of its stunning scenery and unspoiled natural habitat.  The park contains one of the UK's largest nature reserves

The Loch Lomond section of the park (particularly the southern end) is the most popular. Not just because of the outstanding and varied scenic beauty but also due to this area of the park, offering the greatest variety of activities – both indoor and outdoor for the holidaymaker.  
This list of activities includes: Angling, Boating, Canoeing, Clay Pigeon Shooting, Climbing, Cycling, Fishing, Golf , Hiking, Kayaking, Pony Trekking, Tennis, Walking, Water Skiing whilst wet weather cover is within easy reach: Castles (Doune Castle, Stirling Castle and Dumbarton Castle) Indoor swimming pools and spas (Drymen and Balloch) Dumbarton maritime Museum, Balloch Sealive Centre, Stirling Museum, Wallace Monument at Stirling, Glasgow museums (Museum of Transport, Kelvingrove Museum and Huntarian Museum) and four excellent distilleries: Glengoyne, Deanston, Auchentoshan and Lomond Distilleries.

Wet weather cover is within easy reach: Castles (Doune Castle, Stirling Castle and Dumbarton Castle) Indoor swimming pools and spas (Drymen and Balloch) Dumbarton maritime Museum, Balloch Sealive Centre, Stirling Museum, Wallace Monument at Stirling, Glasgow museums (Museum of Transport, Kelvingrove Museum and Huntarian Museum) and four excellent distilleries: Glengoyne, Deanston, Auchentoshan and Lomond Distilleries.
And if you're not too exhausted after all that there is a great variety of eateries and pubs in which to relax afterwards
Despite the popularity of the southern end of the Loch Lomond  the area does not feel busy or crowded in any way.  There are many secluded spots to be explored and discovered with tranquillity and beauty always close by.
When choosing a holiday destination it is always good to take into account the closeness of facilities like shops, restaurants and inns.  The ideal place for us when we’re booking our vacation is somewhere peaceful, away from a main road, but within easy reach of these ameneties..

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National park is full of natural beauty and wonderful wildlife.  Selecting a base with a terrific view is a must as it adds so much to the visitor experience.   Even better is to get a great view with wildlife in it.  A peaceful location will encourage the wildlife to show face.  
After all what is the point of travelling to this magnificent area and not being able to see it at its best out of the window of where you are staying?

Renting a self catering cottage or lodge in Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park is one of the most popular types of accommodation available to visitors.  Having your own place means that you can relax and have your own space.  No concerns about finding a seat in the hotel lounge or what time breakfast is served,  Somewhere you can be yourself is so much more relaxing.  As well as not having to walk long distances between the bedrooms bars and restaurants.
Self catering accommodation can also work out much cheaper than staying in a hotel - especially for groups.
Our own favourite thing about renting self-catering accommodation is having the ability to sample the local produce and cook it for ourselves.  Especially from Farmers Markets - and ideally washed down with a satisfying local beverage!
Fully en-suite self catering accommodation is the best for groups of people.  Each bedroom having its own bathroom is a big bonus and gives privacy that you might not otherwise get.
A self catering cottage with a good view is the best – so on the wetter days you can sit in the warmth and still enjoy the beauty of outside – whatever the weather!

All the bedrooms rooms are fully en-suite (shower or bath, washbasin and wc) and towels and linen are included in the rental price.

A fully equipped kitchen is ideal for cooking and sampling the local produce.  There is a good farmers market on Fridays within ten minutes drive.

The tranquil rural location in the south end of the park is within easy access to nearby activities, pubs, restaurants but not near a main road.

An Eco-friendly building (EPC rating B) Appletree Cottage is highly insulated and offers biomass under-floor heating and hot water included in the rental price.

The wood burning stove although not an integral part of the heating system (its usually warm enough without it)  brings an element of cheer on the cooler days and dark nights.  

Deer and pheasants browse the land immediately in front of the cottage.  Wild birds abound with 30 different species being spotted from the cottage itself (see blog "Watch the Birdee" from dated 9/5/17
 
Appletree is open all year round and has received many five star reviews on this website as well as on Tripadvisor, Airbnb, Owners Direct,  Facebook and Google

Once we were kitted and booted we made our way to the car park entrance and crossed the road to the beginning of the forest trails.

The path was clear and the signing good.  A gentle slope took us up to the first junction – we followed the right hand fork and continued up through this pine and birch woodland.  Some very attractive sections as the path disappeared into the trees which were bathed in the winter sunlight. 

After a short while there was another fork in the route – again we took the right hand branch.
Shortly we arrived at our quest.  A collection of ruined buildings peeking out from the undergrowth forming the long abandoned settlement of Easter Sallochy. 

The OS Names Book of 1858-61 for Stirlingshire lists Easter Sallochy as being a former farmhouse occupied (at that time) by cotters.  More information can be found on this website:  https://scotlandsplaces.gov.uk/digital-volumes/ordnance-survey-name-books/stirlingshire-os-name-books-1858-61/stirlingshire-volume-06?display=transcription
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​The Forestry Commission website mentioned earlier tells us that these buildings would house women and children working seasonally at coppicing the wood and making charcoal.

​One of the buildings (presumably the original farmhouse) had the remains of a fireplace at each end. All of the buildings seemed to be danger of being overwhelmed by surrounding vegetation although periodic efforts are made to clear away the brambles and bracken and preserve what remains of the former farmsteading.

The Ordinance Survey 6 inches to the mile map of 1863 shows a road running north to south on the eastern side of  Easter Sallochy.  Little trace of that road can be seen now but the remains of the dry stone field wall which runs in line with where the road would have been can be glimpsed through the birch trees.

​After a good inspection of the ruins we continued following the track which, after a few hundred yards popped out unexpectedly out of the woods onto a forestry road. 
We turned right onto this road and followed it up hill. 

​The road is well made and of gentle gradient.  We continued on upwards past first one attractively flooded former quarry on the right hand side followed shortly afterwards by another on the left hand side of the road.

​On the other side of the road at this second quarry is a marker post with a red band around it indicating the start of the path leading up to the top a nearby crag.  

We followed this path – muddy at times – the short distance to its conclusion.  There, on top of this rocky outcrop we enjoyed stunning views down Loch Lomond to the south.  The islands in the Loch were clearly defined.  The village of Luss visible across the water nestling at the foot of the snow capped Luss Hills.  Sallochy peninsula down below us stretching out into the loch to Ross Point at its western extremity. ​
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​With the sun beginning to lower towards the distant hills we made our way back down the mountainside.
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On the forestry road and ​shortly after the two flooded quarries which we had passed earlier there was a marker post with a dark blue  / black band on it on the right hand side of the road as we descended.   We left the road at this point and followed the grassy track which ran steeply downhill. 

​This soon became one of the prettiest parts of our walk as the path soon ran alongside a bubbling  burn - Allt a Mhuilinn or Mill Burn.  No sign of a mill but lots of little waterfalls, bridges to cross and peace and beauty.
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​Eventually we completed the circle by arriving at what had been the first fork in our journey.  It was a short walk from here back to the car at Sallochy bay.  Our walk had taken about three hours and included many stops to enjoy and study our surroundings.   Although this was a beautiful Sunday afternoon we had passed not a single person in our entire journey after leaving the main road.  What a brilliant day!  

​Once back in the car we headed back down the loch to Appletree Cottage

We've had some wild weather here at Appletree Cottage so far this year.  Gales, loads of snow and about a mile away in the Endrick valley spectacular flooding.

This hear has been the best for snow since we moved back to Scotland in 2013.  Having had a little bit in December, the weekend before last was the best.  Particularly on the Sunday when it snowed nearly all day - leaving about 6 inches deep in parts.  Here are some pictures....

In order to achieve the spectacular views from Appletree Cottage we shortened one of the barns.  The barn is seldom used but provides excellent separation from the farm house giving privacy to guests staying at Appletree.

In the summer months cows can be seen wandering and grazing in the field immediately beyond the two large foreground trees.  They are interesting to watch and more organised than one might suspect.  Usually two cows are left in charge of the calfs whilst the others go off to graze.  There is also something of a routine about where and when they graze.  Fascinating to watch if you've got the time.  Like when you're on holiday / vacation - at Appletree Cottage!

The snow stayed with us for a couple of days then melted very quickly.  The local high school, which has a catchment area of about 350 square miles was closed for two days as the snow prevented the pupils being bussed in to the school.  To great fun was had in the snow on the days off school!

As the snow melted quickly - in about a day - the River Endrick once again became overwhelmed and used its flood plain to full advantage.  The Endrick flows into Loch Lomond which in turn drains into the river Leven which empties into the Clyde.  The fields are never flooded for very long.
The Drymen Show, one of the oldest agricultural shows in Scotland is held every May in the fields adjacent to the Endrick.  Fortunately by that time of year the floods have long since receded.

On the bright side - there have been some spectacular sunsets recently.

Appletree Cottage has been up and running for over a year now having opened in August 2016.  Work began in late 2015 on the foundations, but well before that, before we bought the farm, the old barn still shown on Google street view was demolished - probably between 2011 and 2013.
The barn on the immediate left had lost its roof by the time we arrived and we replaced it with a red corrugated iron roof (similar to many other barns on this same road) in 2015.
Other changes have been landscaping, the shortening of the distant barn (so the cottage now gets a fantastic view across Cameronmuir) and the replacement of the double gates which someone appeared to have tried to drive through without opening them!
Below are you can compare the current view with that of 2011.

A recent cold snap has seen temperatures of minus seven degrees centigrade.
Clear skies and sunshine have brought a touch of magic to our area:

A short journey through Croftamie and onto the old military road that runs towards Balloch produces some spectacular scenery..

Beautiful clear days and bright sunshine make all the difference...

We drove from Croftamie via Killearn to Fintry where we picked up some rolls in the excellent Fintry Sports Centre.  Back in the car we continued heading east along the B818  taking a left turn shortly after leaving Fintry signposted Denny (still the B818).  After about 3.75 miles / 6km (from Fintry) we reached the Carron reservoir on the right hand side of the road where there was ample room to park.

We could see a ruin up on the hill on the other side of the burn so we crossed the bridge and made our way up through the sometimes boggy ground to what turned out to be an old abandoned farmhouse.  The roof appeared to have been off this building for many years and the rubble built stone walls were crumbling rapidly.  An old swinging pot hook remained in place on the internal fireplace.
This was the remains of Burnfoot Cottage, a former small steading.

We have been (reliably?) informed that as part of the deal for permission to install Earlsburn Windfarm it was agreed that the village of Fintry would benefit financially.  The income from one of the wind generators would go directly to the village.  This financed the building of their excellent sports centre.  It may be this fact requires further investigation.

A rough track leads north from Burnfoot Cottage leading eventually down to the village of Kippen.  It would have been a long journey in the days of horse and cart - and very few if any other inhabitants to meet on the way.
One other dwelling in this valley is marked on the 1890Ordinance Survey map - Backside Farm about one mile to the north.  Little now remains of that particular dwelling.

After exploring Burnfoot we followed the track north for a few miles and in the distance up on a hill to the west we managed to glimpse the Spout of Ballochleam.  But conciouscious of the short hours of daylight we turned back and returned to the car the way we had come and left the exploring of the Spout of Ballochleam to another day.
A very pleasant stop on the way home was the Fintry Inn with their warm fire,  local beers and excellent food.  A great place to put your feet up and relax after a long walk.

Our attention was quickly drawn to the hooting sound of a steam engine's whistle. Following the noise we discovered that Balloch Steam Slipway steam engine was fired up and in operation.  It had opened for the weekend to raise funds for the ongoing restoration of the nearby Maid of the Loch paddle steamer.
The enormous pistons were turning the gearing cogs making it easy to understand and visualise how easily a ship could be drawn out of the water by such enormous machinery.  There were some great photos on display and a good book stall in the engine shed.  We took the opportunity to toot the hooter for a 50p donation towards the restoration of The Maid of the Loch.                  

​All this was very impressive.  We decided to move further round the shore to inspect The Maid of the Loch where we could hear a band playing.  ​
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The Maid of the Loch was the last paddle steamer to be built in the UK.  Commissioned by the British Transport Commission in 1950 the vessel was built on the Clyde by A&J Inglis of Glasgow.
The Maid as she is known is unusual in being a "knock down" boat. That is, having been constructed in the shipyard, she was then taken to pieces again and transported by rail to the loch side at Balloch.  There she was reconstructed and eventually launched on Thursday the 5th of March 1953.
Operated latterly by Caledonian Macbrayne (now known as Calmac) she operated as a pleasure boat, ferrying passengers up and down the loch calling at the various piers like Ardlui and Inversnaid.
One used to be able to take one of the electric trains from the centre of Glasgow to the little station on the pier at Balloch.  From the train it was only the shortest of walks across the platform the the steamer.
The railway line  to the pier is long since gone and The Maid of the Loch took her last passengers up the loch  on 31 August 1981
Following her withdrawal from service the ship lay in an increasing state of disrepair exacerbated by wonton vandalism until Dumbarton Council came to the rescue  in 1992.  Three years later In 1995 the council supported a rescue plan by a group of enthusiasts formed as The Loch Lomond Steamship Company and passed the vessel into their care.
By 2000 The Maid  had been restored enough to become a floating bar and cafe = helping raise further funds.
The next key to the paddle steamers salvation was, with the aid of a lottery grant, the  restoration of the Steam Slipway.  In June 2006 the newly re-opened slipway was used to lift the boat out of the water.  This allowed  repairs and restoration to begin on the hull.
Now back in the water the renovation continues and the aim of the charitable trust is to return the venerable vessel to service in 2018.  
​If you feel the urge to find out more about this great ship or contribute to her restoration more information is available at: http://www.maidoftheloch.org

​After exploring the paddle steamer we wandered over to the food and drink festival itself.  Very popular with both tourists and locals the festival is one of two food festivals throughout the year, the other one being in the Springiest - usually in early April.  
Today a long line of stalls selling all types of food and drink filled the promenade and more of the Loch Lomond Shores development.  In some years vendors travel from as far away as France to sell their sausages and other delicacies.
There are many hot food outlets of all sorts and music is provided by a programme of  bands set up on a stage with nearby seating.  
Drinks are available both from stalls near the music area or if you prefer a tipple can be taken on the first floor balcony of the permanent bar with a terrific view across Loch Lomond. 
After watching the haggis eating competition (as you do) we noted the large number of  Segways for hire and also the popularity of the boat trips on offer.
Loch Lomond Shores itself is an interesting place.  Opened in 2002 a collection of upmarket retail outlets (Jenners, Hawkshead, Thorntons, Edinburgh Woollen Mill, Ashtins Aromatics and Loch Lomond Jewellers to name but a few) form one side of an attractive terrace with the waters of the loch lapping at the other.  There is also a Sea Life Centre with the unusual attraction of a walk through tank with sharks swimming in it.  It has proved popular with children who bring their sleeping bags to camp out for the night in the centre of the tank whilst sharks and other sea creatures swim all round them, staring out through the thick glass.
Loch Lomond Shores website can be found at: http://www.lochlomondshores.com and Loch Lomond Sea Life Centre is at::https://www.visitsealife.com/loch-lomond
Eventually, after another great day and having had our fill of a variety of fast food we made our way back to Appletree Cottage