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There is an abundance of things
to do in the Arrochar and Loch Lomond area. You will quite simply never
get bored.
The perfect base for touring, head west to Dunoon, Inveraray, Oban and
the West Highlands, or take the opposite direction to Callander,
Aberfoyle, Stirling and the Trossachs - all within the Loch Lomond and
the Trossachs National Park. Or take the train northwards through
Glencoe to Fort William or Mallaig on the scenic West Highland Railway
Line.
For walking and climbing, the area is second to none. There are numerous
local low-level walks from the front door, as well as more demanding
walks slightly further afield. The Arrochar Alps include four Munros
(mountains over 3000 ft), ideal for the more adventurous hill walker.
Take a cruise on Loch Lomond; hire a mountain bike and explore the
Argyll Forest Park; go pony trekking; play golf; hire a boat on Loch
Long; go fishing; or visit one of the many visitor attractions in the
area.
Right on the doorstep is Mansefield Studios, pottery and craft gallery,
which showcases premium quality ceramics, photography, textiles and
jewellery. So if a short pottery course or a shopping spree is what you
are after…
..alternatively stay in, sit in front of the fire and take in the truly
beautiful view.
Do contact us for lots of ideas of what to do while you are at
Mansefield House.
Loch Long is a
spectacular fjord type sea loch that cuts deep into the craggy mountains
of the Arrochar Alps. Arrochar, situated at the head of the loch, is
derived from the Gaelic meaning ‘Loch of ships’ bearing reference to
the fleet of Viking longships that sailed up the loch over 700 years
ago.
Walking: There are various local walks, which start from
the house, as well as the more adventurous walks further afield. The
Cruach Tarbeit walk is well surfaced but quite steep in parts, but
really worth the effort for the joint view of Loch Long and Loch Lomond.
Argyll Forest Park, consisting of the forests of Ardgartan, Glenbranter
and Benmore, has ideal marked walking paths, which are also suitable for
mountain biking. One good circular forest trail, with views down Loch
Long or back towards Arrochar, starts at the Information Centre at
Ardgarten and takes approximately 2.5 hours. There is a leaflet
outlining various walks in the wicker basket of tourist information. The
West Highland Way runs along the East side of Loch Lomond and can be
picked up at Inverarnan. This 93-mile route is indisputably Britain’s
most spectacular long-distance path – but you may chose not to attempt
the whole thing!
Climbing: The Arrochar Alps include four Munros (mountains over
3000 ft) - Ben Vorlich, Beinn Ime, Ben Vane, Beinn Narnain. Not
forgetting Ben Arthur (‘The Cobbler’), more spectacular but just
under 3000 ft, which is ideal for the more adventurous hill walker.
Braeside Stores sells maps of the area. Please don’t forget to leave a
note in your car with your intended route up any of these hills, just in
case you get into trouble. For Mountain Rescue, dial 999.
Cruising on Loch Lomond: Loch Lomond’s largest cruise
boat operator is based in Tarbet, 2 miles away. The boats have open deck
space as well as lower centrally heated areas for the cold-blooded. Tea,
coffee and full bar facilities are aboard.
Contact: The Boatyard, Tarbet, Loch Lomond, Tel: 01301 702 356.
Cycling & Mountain-biking: The varied terrain in the
Loch Lomond area offers great rides for all abilities and requirements
from easy flat cycle paths to more adventurous mountain bike trails.
There are a number of designated mountain bike tracks in the area, with
one currently being constructed along Loch Lomond from Tarbet to Balloch.
Mountain Bikes are for hire locally, by the hour or only £7.50 per full
day. Please see the leaflet in the tourist information basket for
details.
Pony Trekking: There are several pony trekking centres in
Argyll, leaflets to be found in the tourist information basket.
Swimming Pools & Leisure Centres: The Alexandria Centre
(20 mins drive) or the Meadow Centre Dumbarton (30 mins drive) are
available for swimming, gym, badminton, sauna, as well as a swimming
pool in Helensburgh. The Loch Fyne Hotel & Leisure Club, Inveraray
has a 15 metre heated swimming pool with whirlpool spa, steam room and
sauna. You could make a day of it and have something to eat in the
Waterfront Restaurant after your swim. Call Martin Koorts, Leisure Club
Supervisor for details: 01499 302 148.
West Highland Railway: You can get a train from Arrochar/Tarbet
station and enjoy a picturesque rail journey as far as Mallaig in the
north or to Glasgow or Edinburgh in the south. There is a train
timetable in the Tourist Information basket. Alternatively, call
National Rail Enquiries: 08457 48 49 50.
Local History: The area has many historic buildings,
museums and points of interest. Hill House, Helensburgh is the finest of
architect and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s domestic creations.
Ballyhennan Burial Ground, located behind the Black Sheep Craft Shop in
Tarbet, has a particularly interesting graveyard which is the last
resting place of many chiefs of the MacFarlane Clan as well as that of a
number of Vikings invaders. Inveraray Castle, home of the Duke of Argyll
and family seat of the Campbell Clan, is open between April and October.
Exhibitions at the Castle include the famous armoury collection, French
tapestries, exquisite furniture and works of art and a genealogical
display in the Clan Room. In the same town is the Inveraray Jail,
Scotland’s ‘living’ 19th Century Jail.
Golf: Many great golf courses including the Championship
Loch Lomond Course. Please see the Golf brochure in the basket. Do let
us know if you would be interested in a golf discount pass for £5.
Fishing: 20 miles long and 4 miles wide at the wider
southern end, Loch Lomond is suited to both boat and shore fishing. The
Rivers Leven and Endrick run into and out of Loch Lomond and are
considered fine fishing rivers in their own right. Boats can be hired
from various hotels along the shore. Species to be found include:
Salmon, Sea Trout, Brown Trout, Ferox Trout, Arctic Charr, Rainbow
Trout, Powan, Perch, Pike. Sea water fishing on Loch Long (which is
tidal) includes cod, whiting, plaice, mackerel; in August salmon can be
seen jumping in the loch. Please see the Fishing brochure in the basket.
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