Day 2 - Sunday 21 November 2021
Drymen to Rowardennan (13.6 miles)
Angie drops me off in Drymen as Fudge peers longingly out of the car door wondering if he will be coming with me today. We decided to rest him for this leg as he would be coming with me on tomorrows tough leg to Inverarnan. The A811 where I left the route yesterday is to the right and the path is straight ahead at the end of this lane. The weather today promised sunshine and light breezes and that is exactly what I got.
From the lane the route heads between a delightful Beech lined hedgerow
From the hedgerow the way pops out on to the A811 for a short while passing an honesty box
From the A811 a gate on the left heads up the side of a pasture to the Buchanan Forest
Heading along the track through the Buchanan Forest
From Buchanan Forest the route passes into Garadhban Forest
As I passed through a section of recently cleared conifers I got my first proper view of Loch Lomond
Rounding the track bend the view improved and the large island of Inchcailloch comes into view. The name translates as "Island of Nuns" or "Island of the old or cowled woman". The island is part of the Loch Lomond Nature Reserve.
Conic Hill which ordinarily the West Highland Way passes over but unfortunately not today.
Having done my research I knew the route over Conic Hill would be off limits therefore I now had a lovely bit of road walking to enjoy. The diversion drops down into the village of Milton of Buchanan and enters Balmaha via the B837 which was thankfully pavemented.
The diversion in place cost me this view from the summit of Conic Hill looking over Loch Lomond. Angie took this photograph the following day as Fudge and I made our way to Inverarnan.
The glorious view from Conic Hill as taken by Angie the following day (click Play to view)
Middle of nowhere and somebody leaves a brand new Steam Roller loafing
This little chap kept me company for a few hundred yards as I passed through Milton of Buchanan
At the bottom of Creityhall Road the diversion joined the B837 for the long tarmac trudge into Balmaha
Conic Hill from the B837
After what seemed like an eternity, the route finally entered Balmaha
Weir's Rest at Balmaha
The statue of Tom Weir at Weir's Rest in Balmaha. Tom Weir (1914 - 2006) was a climber, writer, broadcaster naturalist and pioneering campaigner for the protection of the Scottish environment.
Picturesque Loch Lomond from the shoreline at Balmaha
What a fantastic facility in Balmaha, particularly for the thirsty walker - free water
From Balmaha the walk heads in the direction of Rowardennan and heads straight on at the road bend
Looking over Loch Lomond as I leave Balmaha
A hundred yards after the road bends a way mark on the right points steeply uphill to Craigie Fort
The rocky hillock of Craigie Fort - what a fantastic viewpoint down the loch
After descending from Craigie Fort I arrived at a lone tree and quiet beach just south of the parking area at Milarrochy
After Milarrochy the route heads through woodland to emerge on the Balmaha to Rowardennan road near Loch Lomond Sailing Club. The road is only joined for a few hundred yards.
The woodland is rejoined just after the campsite at Cashel
The campsite at Cashel - a lovely spot right on the loch shore
The Forestry Commission Car Park & Campsite at Sallochy
A disused stone building near Mill of Ross
Mill of Ross Cottage near Rowardennan - the property is a holiday cottage and it must be wonderful to stay here
Nearing Rowardennan and Ptarmigan & Ben Lomond come into view
The Rowardennan Hotel - what a lovely spot
Sometimes this sort of message falls on deaf ears - I wish it didn't
Journey's end for today at the Car Park in Rowardennan
Loch Lomond from Rowardennan
Fudge at Loch Lomond - little did he know it but he would be coming with me to Inverarnan tomorrow
Fudge having a mess about in Loch Lomond (click Play to view)
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GPX File
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Day 2 Data
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Mileage
Cumulative Mileage Time Total Ascent |
13.6 miles
26.3 miles 5hrs 50mins 2116ft (645m) |