Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park straddle the highland boundary fault between the lowlands and highlands of Scotland. Some consider Loch Lomond the jewel of the National Park. Loch Lomond is the largest body of inland water in the United Kingdom, covering over 27 square miles. It is 23 miles long, the second longest to Loch Ness and at 623ft, the third deepest after Loch Morar and Loch Ness. Before the thirteenth century it was known as Loch leven or Levand from the vale of the river Leven, the only outlet from Balloch in the south to Dumbarton on the Clyde. The southern end of the loch is only four miles from tidal waters, and the northern end just less than two miles from the sea loch in Loch Long at Arrochar.

Tarbet is situated about half way up the loch. It was here that the Vikings dragged their longboats from Arrochar on Loch Long to raid havoc on Loch Lomond in the 13th century. Queen Victoria called Tarbet ‘a small town’, which is not strictly accurate for this scattered community, but rightly said it had ‘splendid passes, richly wooded, and the highest mountains rising behind’.

On the hills above Tarbet are the ruins of a village, Clachan Dubh (Black Village) that was wiped out by the plague in medieval times.

From the village you can leisurely walk for miles along the old A82 which follows the shore line and is away from the busy road. There are several forest walks close by the house or if you are more energetic and like hill climbing the area offers you plenty of Munroe’s (mountains which are over 3000ft). The mountains to the north and west of Arrochar at the head of Loch Long are among the best known and most popular. They are called the Arrochar Alps. The main peaks are Benn Ime (1011m), Ben Narnain (926m), The Cobbler (Ben Arthur) (881m), Ben Vane (916m) and Ben Vorlich (south 943m north 931m). The Cobbler is very popular, although not the highest, the views from the top are fantastic. All our bedroom overlook Ben Lomond which is 974m.

In the heart of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, activities such as walking, climbing, golf, mountain biking, horse riding, fishing, sailing, and various other watersports are closeby. www.canyonexperience.com provide canoe hire, bike hire, guided canoe trips, guided hikes and guided cycle trips. For information on fishing in Loch Lomond visit www.lochlomondfishing.co.uk.

In the village itself there is a Tourist Information Centre (tel. 01301 702260). This is open from Easter through to October and opens 10am.

Opposite the Tarbet Hotel, which is 300 yards from Lomondview, there is a picnic area with parking. It is from here that you can take a cruise on the loch. The cruises normally sail to the North of the loch and take approximately one hour. In the summer they operate a cruise to the eastern side of the loch to Inversnaid Hotel where they drop you off for around one and a half hours before collecting you. This is a nice opportunity to walk on the other side of the loch where the West Highland Way passes. At the side of the hotel is the Arklet Falls where you could also relax in the beer garden watching the waterfall. Rob Roy’s cave is also within walking distance from the hotel.

The West Highland railway comes in from the south and west at Tarbet and gives a far better view of the loch than enjoyed by car drivers lower down. You will see some truly splendid scenery while taking a trip to either Oban, Fort William or the fishing village of Mallaig where you can take the ferry to Skye or you may like to enjoy a cultural trip to Glasgow and incorporate the day shopping.

The city link bus service traveling both north and south is approximately 300 yards from Lomondview.

Tarbet is ideally situated for day trips to Inverary, Oban, Crinnan Canal, Dunoon, Aberfoyle, Callender, Stirling or north to Fort William and Glencoe.

Glasgow Airport is approximately 40 minutes drive from Tarbet. Prestwick Airport is approximately 1hr 15minutes drive.

No visit to the western shore is complete without visiting Luss, the most picturesque of the loch’s villages and the site of Scottish Television’s series ‘High Road’. Luss is the very heart of what was Clan Colquhoun country and is now a conservation village. Sir James Colquhoun, as a memorial to his father and five estate staff who were drowned in an accident off Inchtavannach, built the present church. Luss church has become increasingly popular over the years by celebrities wishing to be married there. The graveyard has a Viking burial stone. A mill once stood at Luss and slate was quarried nearby and the landowner for the workers erected many of the modern houses. The annual Luss Highland Games takes place in July and is very popular. The award winning Coach House Coffee Shop is worth a visit, home made soup and bread is a speciality. Luss is also home of the famous Loch Lomond Golf Club designed by Tom Weiscoff in 1993. Several of the members stay at Lomond View on a regular basis with players staying during the Open.

A few miles further south is the town of Helensburgh, birthplace of John Logie Baird. This Victorian town is built on a hill overlooking the River Clyde with many beautiful villas including Hill House – designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. (Hill House is open to the public).

A few miles further on are the ancient ruins of Dumbarton Castle, which looks out over the River Clyde. This is worth a visit on a good day.