Balmaha

Situated on the East shore of Loch Lomond at the foot of the Conic Hill , Balmaha has been for many years a popular tourist destination on the Loch. For walkers it is a welcome stop for those on the West Highland Way. There is a large car park centrally situated with a visitor Centre and tourist information facilities and is ideally situated for walkers coming off the West Highland Way or the Conic Hill. As you would imagine the views from the summit of Conic Hill are quite spectacular looking West over the Loch. As with all the villages surrounding the Loch there is an abundance of good quality restaurants and hotels. The menu's and prices vary to suit all tastes. Whether a cold beer or full meal all is available locally.

The shops do a variety of snacks and refreshments which can be taken to your favorite spot on the shore and consumed (don't leave litter). There is as you would imagine a large working boatyard at Balmaha with a long established family history. The MacFarlane's have for many years ran the Royal Mail boat and ferry to the Islands and still do. If you venture to Balmaha then you would miss a great deal if you did not visit Inchcailloch Island the ferry runs regularly from the Balmaha jetty and the skipper will arrange a time to uplift you when he drops you at the island pier.

On the island is a wealth of local history castle ruins, graveyard and then a great walk around the island and onto the West shore where there is a picnic site with barbecue's for use by visitors. The views from the summit of the island Northwards is again spectacular. Transport to and from Balmaha is limited to a local bus service from Drymen. to Balmaha, and of course the many pleasure boats on the Loch regularly visit. For the fisherman Balmaha pier is always busy at the weekends with people fishing for pike and perch which is great sport and is free, the only restriction is no live bait. For the sport fisherman MacFarlanes hire boats, fishing gear and sell permits for Salmon and Seatrout.