Magical mist at Milarrochy Bay, Loch Lomond

Beautiful eastern Shore of 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.

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 and lift the mists.

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.

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 Rent-a-ghost TV series), he covered hundreds of miles in his pursuit of exploring the remoter parts of Scotland.

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.