100 Hillwalks around Glasgow The Corbetts - SMC

 The West Highland Way


Balmaha to Milarrochy Bay
The High Mountains of Britain & Ireland West Highland Way: Trailblazer


Photographs of the West Highland Way from Balmaha

 via Craigie Fort to Milarrochy Bay on Loch Lomond.


Marina at Balmaha

Marina at Balmaha

 on Loch Lomond




Inchcailloch from Balmaha

Inchcailloch

from Balmaha

 on Loch Lomond





Millennium Forest Trail at Balmaha

Millennium Forest Path at Balmaha




Passfoot Cottage at Balmaha

Passfoot Cottage at Balmaha



Luss Hills from Craigie Fort

Luss Hills across Loch Lomond

from Craigie Fort





Duncryne at Gartocharn from Craigie Fort

Duncryne at Gartocharn

 from Craigie Fort





Campsie Fells from Craigie Fort

Campsie Fells

from Craigie Fort 




Ben Lomond from Craigie Fort

Ben Lomond

from Craigie Fort 





Sandy beach on Loch Lomond

Sandy beach

on Loch Lomond 





Conic Hill from the West Highland Way along the banks of Loch Lomond

 Conic Hill from the West Highland Way

 along the banks of Loch Lomond 






Beach at Milarrochy Bay on Loch Lomond

Beach at Milarrochy Bay

 on Loch Lomond 





Beach at Milarrochy Bay on Loch Lomond

Beach at Milarrochy Bay

 on Loch Lomond 






Ducks at Milarrochy Bay on Loch Lomond

Ducks at Milarrochy Bay

 on Loch Lomond 






Inchcailloch on Loch Lomond






Statue of Tom Weir at Balmaha

Statue of Tom Weir at Balmaha

Thomas "Tom" Weir MBE (1914 - 2006)
 a Scottish mountaineer, author and broadcaster.

In 1952 was a member of one of the first groups
to explore the previously closed 
Nepal Himalaya





Conic Hill above Balmaha

Conic Hill

above Balmaha




Signboard for Conic Hill

Signboard for Conic Hill





Map of Balmaha Area

Map of Balmaha Area



Map of Balmaha Area

Map of Balmaha Area




Inchcailloch

Location: Loch Lomond
Grade: Moderate countryside walk
Distance: 2 miles/3.5km
Time: 2 hours



INCHCAILLOCH is not one of the bigger islands on Loch Lomond but it is probably the easiest to reach, and
has a truly excellent path network. Despite the relatively short distances involved you could lose yourself here
for hours, enjoying to the full the wonderfully peaceful atmosphere and the stunning views.
The peaceful feeling may come from the fact that there was a small nunnery here for a time, and this
also provides a basis for the island’s name. ‘Cailloch’ ( in various spellings ) usually means an old woman but the
derivation is here stretched to take in the holy sisters.
You cross from Balmaha on the venerable but still sturdy Margaret, built in 1948 and still going strong.
It's just a few minutes before you reach the small jetty at the north end of Inchcailloch. Up the worn stone steps
and the path leads you to an island of delights. We chose to take the summit path first. It is well engineered and the
extensive tree cover ensures that the summit view, when you do come to it, is a surprise. The panorama is
astonishing, looking north up the full length of the loch, with the high mountains crowding the horizon and
Ben Lomond a stately peak on the right.
Inchcailloch is right on the Highland Boundary Fault which separates Highlands and Lowlands
and you get several views down the line of islands leading west towards Helensburgh. Geologists tell us that
around 400 million years ago, two ‘protocontinents’, Laurentia and Avalonia, collided, pushing the rocks
at the edge into huge mountains. What we see today is the eroded stump of these massive hills; regardless of the
geological facts, the result is sublime.
From the summit, the path leads down to the lovely Port Bawn, which has a good beach, and then turns back
north. A short diversion takes you to an old burial ground. There was a church here in use until about 1770, dedicated to St Kentigerna, the patron saint of Glasgow. The headstones, some dating back to the 17th century, include a clan chief of the McGregors. It is a short walk back to the pier and the return journey on the Margaret — or you could wander round the paths again, maybe in the other direction?
The island is a nature reserve managed on a principle of minimal intervention. This recognises, for example, that
dead trees provide valuable habitat for many invertebrates, which are in turn food for small birds; fallen trees
are therefore left in situ unless they are dangerous, blocking a path for example.
Before you leave Balmaha, do go and pay your respects to the statue of Tom Weir, the much-loved writer
and broadcaster. The area round the statue has been very nicely developed as a place to meet and sit for a while;
a good pause for West Highland Way- walkers too.
A visit to Inchcailloch cannot but leave you feeling better; such places are invaluable and we should treasure them.



ROUTE PLANNER
Map: OS 1:50,000 Landranger sheet 56 ( Loch Lomond & lnveraray ) or 1:25,000 Explorer sheet 347 (Loch Lomond South).
Distance: 2miles / 3.5km.
Time: 2 hours.


Start/Finish: lnchcailloch North Pier (GR: NS413906).
Public transport: Bus 309 runs from Drymen to Balmaha. Buses from Drymen to Stirling or Glasgow via Balfron.
Details from www.travelinescotland.com
Information: Balmaha National Park Centre ( 01389 722100 ) or www.lochlomond-trossachs.org


Route: Climb the steps from the jetty and follow the path to the right.
At a junction go L ( summit path ).
Follow path, with several stepped sections, up to the summit.
Continue downhill through woods and at junction TL to Port Bawn.
Follow path past toilet block heading north.
In 1km divert L to see old burial ground.
Return to path, go sharp L downsteps and continue to junction.
TL to return to jetty.
Note: The ferry to lnchcailloch is operated by Macfarlane & Son ( 01360 870214) and leaves from Balmaha boatyard.
It runs every 30 minutes in summer, and the return tare is £5 for adults and £2.50 for children under 16.



Map of Inchcailloch

Map of Inchcailloch


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Guide Books & Maps - Scotland:-


Western Scotland & the Western Isles OS Road Map Northern Scotland OS Road MapSouthern Scotland OS Road Map Glasgow Popular Hills - Map





  

Edge of Empire - Scotland's Roman Frontier  The Antonine Wall  Antonine Wall - Map

Glasgow Visitor Guide - Colin Baxter Itchy Insider's Guide to Glasgow Glasgow Footprint Pocket Guide Glasgow Insight Pocket Guide Glasgow Guide Pub Companion Glasgow Scotland's Highlands & Islands - Rough Guide Scotland - Rough Guide

Glasgow Insight Pocket GuideCollins Street Map of GlasgowGlasgow: Then & NowThey belonged to Glasgow Phillips Street Atlas of Glasgow & West Central Scotland Glasgow: The Photographic Atlas100 Hillwalks around Glasgow 50 Walks in Glasgow & SW Scotland

Visit Scotland - Touring Guide Scotland: Where to Stay - Hotels & Guest Houses Scotland: Where to Stay - Bed & Breakfast Rough Guide ScotlandScottish Highlands & Islands - Rough Guide Scotland - Lonely PlanetScotland's Highlands & Islands - Lonley Planet Great Glasgow StoriesGlasgow & Surroundings - Insight Guide

West Highland Way: Official GuideWest Highland Way: Rucksac ReadersWest Highland Way: TrailblazerThe West Highland WayWest Highland Way: Footprint MapWest Highland Way - Map West Highland Way - Map West Highland Way Wet Highland Way - Official Guide

Munro Almanac The High Mountains of Britain and Ireland The Munros: Scottish Mountaineering Club The Isle of Skye The Isle of Arran Wilderness Walks Ski Mountaineering in Scotland

More Wilderness Walks 50 Best Routes on Skye and Raasay Skye - W.A.PoucherMagic of the Munros Mountaineering in Scotland and Undiscovered Scotland by W.H.MurrayA Long Walk on the Isle of Skye

Classic Climbs - Central & Southern Highlands The Isle of Arran Lonely Planet, Walking in ScotlandPathfinder Guide: Skye and NW Highlands WalksPathfinder Guide: Fort William and Glen Coe Walks Rambler's Guide: Ben Nevis and Glen Coe50 Best Routes on Skye and Raasay - Chris Townsend









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