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This Summer around Balloch
Hello,
My wife and I want to visit Scotland, rather Balloch and Loch Lomond, from the 7th to the 21st of July and our "home base" will be Balloch.
As it is our first Scotland vacation, of course we have some questions:
How "warm" should our clothes be?
We want to do small hikes every day. Also like in places that can be reached by bus (we have no car). Are there places that can be easily reached by bus and then hike on site (3-4 hours)?
Are the Highland Games (July 14) recommended?
Where are the best photomotive around Balloch?
Are there picturesque castles around Balloch or from there by bus to reach?
I have much more questions....but :-)
0
Comments
Top tip: Find out how far the Citylink bus stop (ID: Lower Stoneymollan Road) is from your accommodation at the earliest convenience as that will be your most convenient link to the rest of Scotland
Conic Hill should be the 1st hike you do, it's easy, popular and a 30 minute direct bus ride from Balloch (bus 309). It has some superb views of Loch Lomond. Here's a post of my visit to this area.
Refer to the WalkHighlands page for South and East Loch Lomond for a list of walks in this area. Actually, if doing hikes is a primary motivator for the trip, I suggest setting aside 30 minutes to explore and get comfortable with the WalkHighlands website.
Other suggestions for nearby hikes: all the ones behind Luss, the village is a must visit as well (bus 305 from central Balloch), The Cobbler (takes an hour of travel each way by bus 926 but is one of the best hikes in Scotland), Ben Lomond (using the bus and the waterbus from Tarbet, might be worth staying overnight in the hostel).
Suggestions for farther daytrip hikes and castles: Stirling Castle (2 trains, change at Glasgow), Edinburgh Castle (same as before), Linlithgow Palace (same as before), Inveraray castle (direct bus 926), Bidean Nam Bian aka Glencoe's 3 sisters (direct bus 914/916, stay overnight if possible).
Suggestions for even farther locations where a night stay is mandatory: Isle of Skye (do not miss going here, stay for 2-3 nights, book them asap, direct bus 916), Isle of Arran (2 trains and 1 ferry to Brodick, it has a castle, the Goatfell hike and some of Scotland's best icecream, if staying 2 nights then visit Lochranza but 1 night is good too).
Do not hesitate to ask any specific questions. My blog (also linked below) should have the answers to all of your questions but I'm happy to answer specifics in this thread. To reduce the cost of travel, I strongly encourage checking out the Two Together railcard (you'll easily cover the £30 cost in 2 weeks if you do some of the trips above) and a 8/16 days Citylink Explorer pass for the duration of your trip.
P.S. Do visit the Highland Games for an experience like no other, here's a pic from one that I attended. I hope you like pipe bands!
Best of Scotland in 1 week itinerary (fully by public transport)
My Scotland travels (includes Edinburgh, Skye, Harris, Mull, Arran, Orkney, Loch Lomond, Islay, Oban, Dunoon, Speyside)
Of course we like. Who will not?
Thank you for this tipps. That is what I have looking for, because we will arrive by train from edinburgh-galsgow-balloch but the Timetables are not yet available for July. And most of our tours we want to take by bus (example from Balloch to Rest and be thankful).
Ome specific question: We will stay at a self catering accommodation. Sometimes in Germany you must take towels and bedsheets with you when you book such hollyday apartment. What is the principle in scotland? Bedsheets and towels included? (Normaly I have only one towel with me, like Arthur Dent) :-)
Best of Scotland in 1 week itinerary (fully by public transport)
My Scotland travels (includes Edinburgh, Skye, Harris, Mull, Arran, Orkney, Loch Lomond, Islay, Oban, Dunoon, Speyside)
Best of Scotland in 1 week itinerary (fully by public transport)
My Scotland travels (includes Edinburgh, Skye, Harris, Mull, Arran, Orkney, Loch Lomond, Islay, Oban, Dunoon, Speyside)
Best of Scotland in 1 week itinerary (fully by public transport)
My Scotland travels (includes Edinburgh, Skye, Harris, Mull, Arran, Orkney, Loch Lomond, Islay, Oban, Dunoon, Speyside)