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Balmaha is a Village on the more remote east
side of Loch Lomond, 4 miles west of Drymen, 21 miles
north of Glasgow.
Balmaha is popular for the Visitor Centre,
Conic Hill Hike, Woodland Walk,
Lochside Walk that is part of the West Highland
Way, Bar Diner,
Boatyard for
Boat Trips, and the Bay at Balmaha is popular
with Paddle Boarders visiting the Islands, no
hire though.
Milarrrochy Bay is 2 miles north with a long
Beach popular for Watersports, no hire though,
and there is a Touring & Camping site at
the north end of the Beach.
For Images on Mobile swipe right
Click on Map for Area
Attractions
Camping & Touring Parks in
area
The image top is from the 1,184 ft, 361m
Conic Hill looking down over Balmaha and Loch
Lomond.
The second image is of the car park in
Balmaha at the Visitor Centre that gives
information on the area.
The Shops are across the road from the
Visitor Centre, ideal for Snacks, Drinks and
Ice Cream.
The Oak Tree Inn is next
to the Shops, popular for Rooms, Drinks and
Meals.
There are also a number of Lodges at Balmaha
for Holidays, see the Self Catering link
above.
The Tom Weir Rest
is next to the Bar Diner. Tom Weir was a TV
presenter from the 1970s covering walks
throughout Scotland. His Statue at Balmaha was
erected in 2014.
Next to the Gardens is the Boat Yard and Marina,
where you can take a short Boat Trip to
Inchcailleach Island that is a Nature
Reserve.
There are also Boat Trips between Balmaha and
Luss on the
west side of Loch Lomond.
The Marina has a slip for Paddle Boards or
other small craft with some Islands not far out
to explore, or for fishing.
Boat Hire at
Balmaha.
Milarrochy Bay is 2 miles north with a large
car park, long Beach popular for Water Sports
but you have to take your own craft. There is a
Touring and Camping site at
the Bay.
Balmaha History
5,000 BC - first hunters are in the area for
animals and fish.
2,000 BC - first people begin farming around
Loch Lomond.
500s - Irish warriors began settling in the
area.
700s - a Church was built on Inchcailleach
Island.
MacFarlane and MacGregor Clans became the
most notable Clans in the area, with Rob Roy
MacGregor becoming a famous outlaw in the
1700s. Gregor MacGregor was buried on
Inchcailleach Island in the late 1600s.
1700s - Oak Trees were planted around
Balmaha for Boat Building and the Bark used for
Tanning Leather.
The Wood was also used to produce Acid for
the Textile industry, with the left over from
that process used to produce Gunpowder, only
ending in 1923.
A 350 year old Tree at the Village is known
as the Balmaha Oak, 31 feet around, used for
Industry.
1980 - the West Highland Way
opened, a 154 km / 96 mile walk between Glasgow
and Fort William, passing through
Balmaha.
2002 - The Loch Lomond & the Trossachs
National
Park was opened, first in Scotland,
covering 720 square miles, with the Visitor
Centre at Balmaha built around that time.
2010s - a number of Lodges were built at Balmaha
for Self Catering holidays.
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