Page 123 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Scotland

CENTR AL SC O TLAND  121

The snowy peak of Ben Lomond rising majestically over Loch Lomond, part of the West Highland Way
3 Bute site of struggles be tween 4 Loch Lomond
islanders and Vikings in the
Argyll & Bute. * 7,000. g from West Dunbartonshire, Argyll & Bute,
Wemyss Bay to Rothesay; from 13th century. Over the last Trossachs. 3 Balloch, Tarbet. @
Colin traive to Rhubodach. @ from 120 years or so, Bute has played Balloch, Balmaha. n Balloch. ∑ loch
Dunoon. n Rothesay (01700) 507043. a more placid role as a popular lomondshores.com National Park
holiday resort. Visitor Centre, Balmaha: Tel (01389) 722
Bute is almost an extension of One of Bute’s attractions is 100. ∑ lochlomond-trossachs.com
the Cowal Peninsula, and the Mount Stuart House, 5 km
small ferry from Colintraive (3 miles) south of Roth esay. This Of Scotland’s many lochs,
takes only five minutes to cross aristocratic house, built in 1877 Lomond is perhaps the most
the Kyles of Bute to Rhubodach by the third Marquess of Bute, popular and best loved. Lying
on the island. This route is is set in 18th­century gardens. just 30 km (19 miles) northwest
a long drive from Glasgow, The features of this Gothic of Glasgow, its accessibility has
however, and most people edifice reflect the Mar quess’s helped its rise to prominence.
choose to travel via Wemyss Bay interests in mythology, religion The loch is the largest body of
on the Firth of Clyde across to and astronomy. fresh water in the British Isles,
the island’s main town, Rothesay. 35 km (22 miles) long and 8 km
Just 25 km (16 miles) long + Rothesay Castle (5 miles) at its widest point in the
by 8 km (5 miles) at its widest Castle Hill St, Rothesay. Tel (01700) south, where there is a scattering
point, Bute has been occupied 502 691. Open Apr–Sep: 9:30am– of over 30 islands, some with
since at least the Bronze Age. 5:30pm daily; Oct–Mar: 10am– ancient ruins. Duncryne, a small
The remains of the chapel at 4pm Mon–Wed, Sat & Sun. & hill some 5 km (3 miles) northeast
St Ninian’s Point on the west ∑ historicenvironment.scot of Balloch on the southern
coast date from around the 6th + Mount Stuart House shore, gives an excellent view of
century, while Rothesay Castle, Mount St. Tel (01700) 503877. the Loch. Much of the area
now ruined, is mostly a 12th­ Open Apr–Oct: 11am–5pm daily. & became Scotland’s first national
century structure and was the 8 7 - ∑ mountstuart.com park in 2002, fronted by a Visitor
Centre in Balmaha. In Balloch, the
Loch Lomond Shores complex
has shops and restaurants.
In general, the western shore
is the more developed, with
villages such as Luss and Tarbet
attracting many visitors. The con­
trast between the Loch and Ben
Lomond, 974 m (3,196 ft), high
above its eastern shore adds to
the spectacle. Many walkers pass
this way since Scotland’s most
popular long­distance foot path,
the West Highland Way (see p199)
from Glasgow to Fort William,
skirts the eastern shore. Boat
trips around the loch operate
regularly from Balloch Pier. The
area is also good for watersports
enthu siasts – speed boats, kayaks
View of Bute with 14th-century Kames Castle, at the head of Kames Bay and jet skis can all be rented.

120-121_EW_Scotland.indd 121 10/23/17 11:55 AM