THINGS TO DO IN LOCH LOMOND AND THE TROSSACHS NATIONAL PARK
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Activities, things to see, places to go ...
On the "Blog&Info" tab of this website you can find more about great days out, excursions etc. we have made, with photographs and details of where to go, how to get there etc.
Appletree cottage is situated by a quiet single track road which forms part of the JOHN MUIR WAY (Helensburgh to Dunbar) and also SUSTRANS CYCLE ROUTE 7 (from Sunderland to Inverness)
Choice of pubs and good food in nearby Drymen village as well as an excellent butcher, Spar mini market, Pharmacist and cycle hire.
Appletree cottage is situated by a quiet single track road which forms part of the JOHN MUIR WAY (Helensburgh to Dunbar) and also SUSTRANS CYCLE ROUTE 7 (from Sunderland to Inverness)
Choice of pubs and good food in nearby Drymen village as well as an excellent butcher, Spar mini market, Pharmacist and cycle hire.
Appletree Cottage and Shandon Farm with Loch Lomond taken form TV mast nr. Stockiemuir
Great things to do at Appletree Cottage
On the "Blog & Info" tab of this website you can find more about great days out, excursions etc. we have made, with photographs and details of where to go, how to get there etc.
OUTDOORS
Aerial Adventures in trees - there are two sites for this.
One is Treezone at Loch Lomond Shores (about 20 mins drive) https://iye.scot/treezone-loch-lomond/
The other, larger enterprise is Go Ape just north of Aberfoyle (about 30 minutes drive from Appletree) https://goape.co.uk/days-out/scotland/aberfoyle
Angling– available at various sites. This is a useful link; http://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/things-to-do/angling/
Also see John Bell at https://www.thelomondangler.co.uk
Boating –
Speedboat hire Closest is at Portnellen (follow signs to Ross Priory from Gartocharn) about 10 minutes drive: portnellanfarm.co.uk/speedboat-tours/ is available from Loch Lomond Leisure at Luss and Rowardennan (about 30 mins drive from Appletree: https://lochlomond-scotland.com/boat-hire/speedboat-hire/
Rowing boat hire is available at Balmaha Boatyard (15 mins drive from Appletree) www.balmahaboatyard.co.uk/index.htm
And at Lake of Menteith (about 20 minutes drive). Also at Balloch (15 mins) where there are pedalos for hire too lochlomondshores.com/loch-lomond-leisure/
Pleasure boating is provided by Sweeny’s Cruises on Loch Lomond https://www.sweeneyscruiseco.com
And at the beautiful Loch Katrine https://www.lochkatrine.com
The latter is a good place to take the bikes on the boat to Stronachlacher then cycle back
along the traffic free road along the shore of the loch.
Good sites generally for water sports is and https://lochlomond-scotland.com
Canoeing – available at several locations including
Balloch (15 minutes drive) http://www.lochlomondshores.com/2017/09/canoe-taster-sessions/
Clay Pigeon Shooting – Available near Alexandria (about 20 minutes from Appletree)
http://lomondshooting.co.uk
Climbing – The famous Whangy is nearby. This is accessed by a fifteen minute walk from Queens View Car Park on the Stockiemuir Road. Climbers of varying abilities are attracted to the unusual rock formations. More about the Whangy can be found here: https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/glasgow/the-whangie.shtml
Cycling – Appletree Cottage is on the Sustrans Route 7 which runs from Sunderland in the north of England to Inverness in the north of Scotland.
Local bike hire can be found at Mugdock Park www.mugdockcountrycycles.com (15 mins) (which is itself a great place to cycle round) and at Aberfoyle (15 mins) www.aberfoylebikehire.co.uk.
Slightly further afield is at Loch Katrine www.katrinewheelz.co.uk. A great day out is to hire a bike at Loch Katrine, take it on the passenger steamer up the loch to Stronachlacher and then cycle the ten miles or so around the quiet loch shore road back to where you started.
Fishing – Available at various sites. Trossachs.co.uk has good information on fishing http://www.trossachs.co.uk/fishing.php
Lake of Monteith Fisheries offer boat and kit hire (about 20 minutes from Appletree): http://www.menteith-fisheries.co.uk/menteith-fisheries.co.uk/Booking%20Status.html
Golf – there are 14 golf clubs boasting 16 courses all within about half an hour’s drive!
Strathendrick (9 holes) http://www.strathendrickgolfclub.co.uk
Buchanan Castle (18) http://buchanancastlegolfclub.co.uk
Balfron (18) http://www.balfrongolfsociety.org.uk
Ross Priory (9) https://www.scottishgolfcourses.com/dunbartonshire/rosspriory.html
Aberfoyle (18) http://www.aberfoylegolf.co.uk
Vale of Leven (18) http://www.volgc.org
The Carrick (18) http://www.cameronhouse.co.uk/cameron-club-loch-lomond/the-carrick.html
The Wee Demon (9) http://www.cameronhouse.co.uk/cameron-club-loch-lomond/the-wee-demon.html
Loch Lomond(18) https://www.lochlomond.com
Dumbarton (18) http://www.dumbartongolfclub.co.uk
Cardross (18) www.cardrossgolfclub.co.uk
Helensburgh (18) https://www.helensburghgolfclub.co.uk
Clober (18) http://www.clobergolfclub.co.uk
Hilton (2 x 18) https://www.hiltonpark.net
Milngavie (18) http://www.milngaviegolfclub.co.uk/the-course/welcome/
Hiking – see Walking
Kayaking - Loch Lomond Leisure organise Kayaking from Rowardennan and from Luss. Both about 30 minutes drive. https://lochlomond-scotland.com/watersports/kayak/. Also see Venture Caledonia. www.venturecaledonia.co.uk
Pleasure boating is provided by Sweeny’s Cruises on Loch Lomond https://www.sweeneyscruiseco.com
And at the beautiful Loch Katrine https://www.lochkatrine.com
The latter is a good place to take the bikes on the boat to Stronachlacher then cycle back along the traffic free road along the shore of the loch.
There are also Waterbusses on Loch Lomond: https://www.cruiselochlomond.co.uk/waterbus-ferries
Pony Trekking – Duncryne Equestrian Centre is about ten minutes drive from Appletree.
Their website is here: http://www.duncryneequitationandtrekkingcentre.co.uk. Slightly further afield is Castle Rednock (near Blair Drummond Safari Park. which also do Segway trekking for those non-equine folk: www.castlerednocktrekking.com/activities.html
Segway Castle Rednock have reasonable rates: www.castlerednocktrekking.com/activities.html. Segway can also be found at iye.scot/tours/segways/ and www.cameronhouse.co.uk/resort/activities.html
Tennis – Strathblane tennis club is about 15 minutes away and welcomes non members: clubspark.lta.org.uk/StrathblaneLTC/PlayingTimes/GuestsVisitors
Tree top activities Great fun can be hat at Tree Zone in Balloch (15 minutes) iye.scot/treezone-loch-lomond/ or at the larger (and slightly further away) Go Ape just north of Aberfoyle (20mins) goape.co.uk/locations/aberfoyle
Walking – we’re on the John Muir Way, a walking route from Dunbar to Helensburgh to commemorate John Muir, the founder of the National Parks in the USA.
Good local walking routes for all levels of experience and ability can be found at: https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/lochlomond/
Water Skiing – Available at Balloch from Lomond Waterskiing Club http://www.lochlomondwaterskiclub.co.uk/index.htm
And at Luss from Loch Lomond Leisure: https://lochlomond-scotland.com/watersports/water-ski/
Water sports – see boating, kayaking, canoeing and waterskiing.
A good site for water sports and other activities is https://lochlomond-scotland.com
INDOORS
Bannockburn Visitor Centre, Bannockburn, Near Stirling (about 40 mins from Appletree) Excellent visitor centre telling you everything you want to know about the famous battle; www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/bannockburn
Cinema – The Vue Cinema is in Stirling: https://www.myvue.com/cinema/stirling/whats-on
Doune Castle, Doune - Excellent tour available. Where Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Outlander among others were filmed: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/doune-castle/
Combining a visit to Doune Castle and nearby Deanston Distillery (see below) makes a great day out.
Dumbarton Castle - this ancient castle has recently been restored.
https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/dumbarton-castle/
Huntarian Museum, Glasgow – situated within the University of Glasgow main building this collection is absolutely fascinating (free) www.gla.ac.uk/hunterian/collections/permanentdisplays/hunterianmuseum/
Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery, Glasgow – originally built for the Empire Exhibition in 1901. Room for kids to wander round (but don’t get lost!) www.glasgowlife.org.uk/museums/venues/kelvingrove-art-gallery-and-museum
Museum of Transport (aka Riverside Museum) Glasgow – excellent museum (free) in a new award winning building by the river Clyde www.glasgowlife.org.uk/museums/venues/riverside-museum
Scottish Maratime Museum, Dumbarton – a branch of this is in Dumbarton where they demonstrate the former Denny Shipyard’s testing tank. A great museum with a nice little tea shop!
https://www.scottishmaritimemuseum.org/dumbarton-museum
Sealife Centre, Balloch – about 20 minutes from Appletree. https://www.visitsealife.com/loch-lomond/
Tip: Buy your Sealife Centre Tickets at the Tourist Office in Balloch - much cheaper than on the door!
Stirling Castle, Stirling – 30 minutes drive from Appletree Cottage https://www.stirlingcastle.gov.uk/visit/
Stirling Art Gallery and Museum - a small but interesting museum. Free entry at time of writing
http://www.smithartgalleryandmuseum.co.uk
Swimming and Spa – Day membership usually available at the Buchanan Arms Hotel, Drymen, about 4 minutes drive - 01360 660588 www.buchananarms.co.uk/leisure/our-pool-gymnasium-fitness-facilities-and-classes. There is a public swimming pool in Alexandria (15 minutes) which has a large pool for adults and a smaller pool for children:
There is also a Swimming Pool in Alexandria - www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/leisure-parks-events/west-dunbartonshire-leisure/leisure-centres/vale-of-leven-pool/
Ten Pin Bowling – available in Stirling at AMF bowling: https://www.amf-bowling.co.uk/our-centres/stirling
Theatre – The excellent MacRobert Centre is within the University of Stirling Complex at Bridge of Allan: http://macrobertartscentre.org
There are also four major theatres in Glasgow:
Citizens: http://citz.co.uk
Kings: http://kingstheatreglasgow.net
Pavilion: https://www.paviliontheatre.co.uk
Theatre Royal: http://www.glasgowtheatreroyal.org.uk
Tron: https://www.tron.co.uk
Stirling Castle, Stirling – 30 minutes drive from Appletree Cottage https://www.stirlingcastle.gov.uk/visit/
Stirling Art Gallery and Museum - a small but interesting museum. Free entry at time of writing
http://www.smithartgalleryandmuseum.co.uk
Swimming and Spa – Day membership usually available at the Buchanan Arms Hotel, Drymen:
About 4 minutes drive - 01360 660588 or website: http://www.buchananarms.co.uk/leisure
There is also a Swimming Pool in Alexandria - https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/leisure-parks-events/west-dunbartonshire-leisure/leisure-centres/vale-of-leven-pool/
Ten Pin Bowling – available in Stirling at AMF bowling: https://www.amf-bowling.co.uk/our-centres/stirling
Theatre – The excellent MacRobert Centre is within the University of Stirling Complex at Bridge of Allan: http://macrobertartscentre.org
There are also four major theatres in Glasgow as well as some smaller venues:
Citizens: http://citz.co.uk
Kings: http://kingstheatreglasgow.net
Pavilion: https://www.paviliontheatre.co.uk
Theatre Royal: http://www.glasgowtheatreroyal.org.uk
Tron: https://www.tron.co.uk
Wallace’s Monument / National Wallace Monument – in Causewayhead near Stirling the climb to the top is worth it for the views. Pick a clear day! https://www.nationalwallacemonument.com and see our blogs (on this site) of 5 and 7 Nov 2018
Tip: Couriers Cafe in Causewayhead is an excellent Italian Cafe / Restaurant at the bottom of the hill for post Monument Climbing Food! www.corrieris.co.uk
SOME LOCAL DISTILLERIES
(Suitable for wet or dry weather. Or any weather actually)
Glengoyne – near Strathblane. About 15 minutes from Appletree. One of the oldest distilleries and still working. Appears in a lot of Glasgow based film and tv dramas including Still Game and The Angel’s Share. Produces some fantastic whiskies. One of our favourites!
http://www.glengoyne.com
Deanston Distillery – near Doune. About 25 minutes from Appletree. This is another interesting one. Formerly a factory it was converted to a distillery in the sixties. Although one of the newer distilleries it is a very interesting tour and its product is excellent.
https://www.deanstonmalt.com
Combining a visit to Doune Castle (see above) and near-by Deanston Distillery makes a great day out!
Auchentoshan Distillery, Clydebank - this is easy to find near the north end of the Erskine Bridge. Producers of excellent whisky.
About 40 minutes form Appletree Cottage
https://www.auchentoshan.com/where-we-make-it
Lomond Distillery, Alexandria. In a little bit more of an industrial location but only 20 minutes from Appletree:
http://www.lochlomondgroup.com/age-verify/
MORE INFORMATION
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A fantastic website with a wealth of information about Loch Lomond and the Trossachs NationL Park is Trossachs.co.uk www.trossachs.co.uk
Over the years Trossachs.co.uk has amassed a wealth of useful information about the park.
A great selection of "Places to Visit" (http://www.trossachs.co.uk/placestovisit.php), as well as pages on exploring the Great Outdoors www.trossachs.co.uk/placestovisit.php and numerous maps and trails www.trossachs.co.uk/googlemap.php
An entire section is devoted to "Places to Eat" www.trossachs.co.uk/placestoeat.php
Well worth a look for all our guests
LOCAL FILMING
The surrounding area has featured in several recent feature films and international TV series which draw on the beauty of the countryside for its settings:
Recent feature films include:
Outlaw King (Chris Pine, Florence Pugh, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, James Cosmo)
Granpa's Great Escape (Tom Courtney, David Walliams Dawn French)
King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (Charlie Hunnam, Jude Law)
Outlander - TV Series (Caitriona Balfe, Sam Helghan, Tobias Menzies)
What we did on our Holidays (Billy Connolly, David Tenant, Rosamund Pike, Ben Miller))
Miss Potter (Renee Zellweger, Ewan McGreggor)
The Eagle (Donald Sutherland, Jamie Bell, Channing Tatum)
Outlander (Caitriona Balfe, Sam Heughan, Duncan Lacroix)
Whilst slightly older films made in the area were:
Comfort and Joy - some scenes shot in Stirling Road, Drymen
Monty Python's Meaning of Life - used the Campsie Fells near Strathblane as a back from when shooting the re-enactment of the
first Zulu Wars of 1879.
The surrounding area has featured in several recent feature films and international TV series which draw on the beauty of the countryside for its settings:
Recent feature films include:
Outlaw King (Chris Pine, Florence Pugh, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, James Cosmo)
Granpa's Great Escape (Tom Courtney, David Walliams Dawn French)
King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (Charlie Hunnam, Jude Law)
Outlander - TV Series (Caitriona Balfe, Sam Helghan, Tobias Menzies)
What we did on our Holidays (Billy Connolly, David Tenant, Rosamund Pike, Ben Miller))
Miss Potter (Renee Zellweger, Ewan McGreggor)
The Eagle (Donald Sutherland, Jamie Bell, Channing Tatum)
Outlander (Caitriona Balfe, Sam Heughan, Duncan Lacroix)
Whilst slightly older films made in the area were:
Comfort and Joy - some scenes shot in Stirling Road, Drymen
Monty Python's Meaning of Life - used the Campsie Fells near Strathblane as a back from when shooting the re-enactment of the
first Zulu Wars of 1879.
ELECTRIC CAR CHARGING
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The two nearest charging points for Electric Cars are:
1. Balmaha - about ten minutes drive from Appletree Cottage. Have a meal in the excellent Oak Tree Inn or take the passenger ferry to Inchcailloch island nature reserve while you wait. 2. Balloch by the Loch Lomond and Trossachs Headquarters - across the road from the Co-op Supermarket (about 15 minutes drive from Appletree Cottage) |
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WEATHER FORECASTS
This is often a difficult one to call! We find the uk meteorological office is usually a good bet. Forecasts (daily and hourly) can be found at www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/forecast/ Enter "Drymen" as the location.
Alternatively Accuweather provides a similar service: www.accuweather.com/en/gb/croftamie/g63%200/weather-forecast/2527346
Alternatively Accuweather provides a similar service: www.accuweather.com/en/gb/croftamie/g63%200/weather-forecast/2527346
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