BALLOCH
Bairdstravel headed to Balloch [Jan 2010] to enjoy some of the winter weather. Balloch is a small town in West Dunbartonshire, Scotland, on the banks of Loch Lomond. The name comes from the Gaelic word 'bal' (baile or ball) which means village or hamlet, so Balloch means village on the Loch.
Balloch is at the southern end of the first Scottish National Park. The village has a number of hotels and inns and pubs, there are cruises leaving from Balloch up Loch Lomond. The Glasgow to Loch Lomond cycle path ends at Balloch.There was not much happening on the loch this wintersday.
Scottish Band Texas frontwoman Sharleen Spiteri was born in Glasgow but moved to Balloch as a young child and was raised there. Celebrity Colourist Hugh Hammil lived in the Haldane from 1968 to 1974. "Lochfoot" in the Jean Robertson novels of Jane Duncan is partly based on the town.
At 56 degrees N, Balloch is at about the same latitude as Moscow
View across Loch Lomond at the waterline looking North at Ben Lomond
Ben Lomond 974 metres (3,200 ft), is a mountain in the Scottish Highlands. It is east of Loch Lomond, and is the most southerly of the Munros.
PS Maid of the Loch is the last paddle steamer built in Britain. She operated on Loch Lomond for 29 years and is now being restored at Balloch pier.
She provided a service from Balloch pier, initially to Ardlui at the north end of the loch, but later her last call was a few miles short of this at Inversnaid and she would cruise to the head of the loch. She was transferred to the Scottish Transport Group in 1969; then in 1973 to Caledonian MacBrayne.
Jenners
Situated in some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, Jenners at Loch Lomond Shores has plenty to catch your eye whether it be top fashion brands, fine fragrances or beautiful accessories. There's also china, jewellery, body and beauty as well as our famous food hall and cafe, should you need a welcome rest from trekking around the rails.
http://www.lochlomondshores.com/shop.htm