Balloch Loch Lomond

Our third night of free camping was in Balloch, at the southern end of Loch Lomond. We left Inveruglas quite early and breakfasted in Balloch.
We visited the Information centre where the busy staff were eager to assist.
We were looking for a good walk to do, and Alan was looking to find a Scottish spicy mutton pie. The staff were able to assist on both fronts. Firstly we were given a map for a walk up to a local wooded area with good views across the loch, and second one of the ladies said she would visit her butcher at lunch time and bring back a pie.
The walk was lovely, taking us through the grounds of Balloch Castle then up into the woods of Whinney Hill. On the way we encountered some deer along the pathways. We met some lovely people on the walk which ended up being about 8 miles in length. The best views of the loch were at the lower levels. We arrived back in time for lunch.
After lunch we walked to the shopping mall at Lake Shores, to get some new walking gear for Alan.
Balloch is a busy little place, with boat trips leaving at regular intervals and many people out walking along by the river.
The lady at the information centre came good with the pie, absolutely brilliant. We noted that when we were in Oban their Information Centre was being closed down. It transpired that this centre was also being shut too, along with all the others. Apparently, all the information is now on the internet. This is tragic. In every information centre we had been to we had nothing but great service, by people who were knowledgeable about their area and who clearly loved helping people with a passion. This can not be better demonstrated by the provision of a pie - wouldn't get that on the internet.
The pie was yummy.Les mer