The Highland Boundary Fault

The Route

The West Highland Way is one of Scotland’s most famous walking routes, and winds for over 150km over seven or eight days, from Glasgow to Fort William further North.  It uses many ancient roads, some built by the Roman Empire, and is generally followed from South to North (as it keeps the sun at your back and leads you further away from modern civilization).

The West Highland Way then continues along country roads, an abandoned railway, the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park and scenic Conic Hill on the Highland Boundary Fault,

View of Loch Lomond

After passing through the Fault the trail winds around to our own Loch Lomond, passing by Ben Lomond with excellent views. Depending on how quickly you are walking the trail, you should pass a few minutes from our front door on your second or third day – a perfect time to make use of a cosy West Highland Way bed and breakfast.

After you leave Torridon House and Ben Lomond on the third stage of the West Highland Way you’ll pass along the eastern shore of Loch Lomond, then through Rowardennan Forest before reaching the village of Rowardennan.

The next stage will lead you past the famous Rob Roy’s Cave, and then three separate sub-stages of around 7 miles each will take you through the towns of Inversnaid, Inverarnan and on to Crianlarich.  You might want to break this lengthy stage into two by stopping off at a West Highland Way bed and breakfast if you are not an experienced walker.

The Devil's Staircase

In the following stages you’ll follow the West Highland Way across the Bridge of Orchy, and on to Kingshouse - another lengthy trek you may want to break into two smaller walks.  The last stages of your journey will take you to Glen Coe, after which the Way ascends the famous Devil’s Staircase before returning to sea level at Kinlochleven.

The last steps of the West Highland Way lead past Ben Liven on the way to Fort William.  Ben Liven is the tallest mountain in Britain, and so many walkers choose to end their journey by adding the climb to their achievements.

If you’re planning on walking the West Highland Way, it is worth noting that midges and mosquitoes start swarming around May and last well into August and September.  If bugs bother you, then avoid these months.

If other people bother you, then avoid starting your journey on the weekends, as these are the busiest times for casual walkers doing a single part of the West Highland Way.

Glengoyne isn’t just any distillery, however.  It has been called ‘the most beautiful distillery in Scotland’, and it’s whiskey tour was described as “THE best whiskey tour” by the Sunday Times.

Glengoyne has been operating continuously since its humble beginnings in 1833.  What makes this distillery unique is that it is the only distillery to produce Highland single malt whiskey that is matured in the Lowlands.

This is because Glengoyne Distillery lies across the dividing line between the Highlands and the Lowlands.  The stills are in the Highlands, but the whiskey is taken across the road to the Lowlands to mature.

Whiskey Tasting Tours

 Glengoyne prides itself on giving one of the best whiskey tasting tours in the world, and offers a wide selection of options for visitors to choose from. Tours start at £7.95, which includes a dram of Glengoyne 10 year old, but can get much more exciting, with some tours teaching you the art of the Master Blender, and allowing you to blend your own sample bottle of whiskey.

In addition to whiskey tasting courses, blending courses and tours, Glengoyne Distillery also offers Mhor Food and Whiskey Masterclass sessions and courses.  These special events take place four times a year, so check on their listing of events if you think you would like to attend.

The loch’s grandeur and beauty have made it one of the most popular attractions near Killearn, and it has been featured in Scottish Gaelic and modern folk songs.

Loch Lomond sits at the base of Ben Lomond, and is separated from this iconic peak by the winding West Highland Way. The loch itself it so large that it is difficult to walk around it in a single day, but there is plenty of accommodation near Killearn and around the lake shores where you can stop off for the night if you are taking a detour from the West Highland Way.

Loch Lomond is visible from nearby, and reachable via a medium walk or a short car trip out of Killearn.

Loch Lomond Golf Club

Leisure Activities

Aside from its natural scenic beauty, Loch Lomond also offers a number of activities and leisure spots, such as the Loch Lomond Golf Club, former host of the Scottish Open. There is also a 28 kilometer long cycle path, called the West Loch Lomond Cycle Path, which is ridden by thousands of cyclists every year.

Ben Lomond from the South

Ben Lomond is a distinctive mountain in the southern Scottish Highlands, and is in fact the most southerly of the Munros (a Scottish hill over 3,000 ft).

The Munros are so named because of Sir Hugh Munro, 4th Baronet, who was the first to compile a list of all such hills.We’ve taken a special liking to Ben Lomond, because you can see it from the balcony of our Killearn B&B.

Ben Lomond very accessible, and is just one of a number of lovely, if challenging, walks near Killearn. The West Highland Way runs alongside the base of Ben Lomond, when it skirts the shores of Loch Lomond.

There are two main ascent routes, one of which is the ‘tourist path’, with the other being more suited to experienced hikers and climbers. The tourist path is wide, and a relatively easy climb in good weather.

However, when the winter closes in, Ben Lomond can become a very challenging and sometimes treacherous climb. Because of this a dedicated Ben Lomond Rescue Service has been set up to monitor tourist traffic up the Munro and respond quickly in case of an emergency.

The alternate route follows the Ptarmigan ridge to the summit along a steeper and rockier path, and is only recommended for serious enthusiasts, especially in winter. There is also a third route, which is not as popular as the first two but represents an equal challenge to the second.  This route also goes along the Ptarmigan ridge, but approaches from Gleann Dubh.

The Old Mill has a warm, cheerful atmosphere, and offers a wide variety of local dishes prepared with local ingredients.

Because it sources all of its ingredients locally, The Old Mill’s menu is frequently changing, so even if you’ve been to Killearn before, you can expect a different choice of dishes on this year’s menu.

Inside the Old Mill

If you’ve spent the day wandering around the lochs, then The Old Mill is the perfect place to relax with a pint and a hot meal.  When the sun goes down, though, the pub’s authentic charm really comes out, making it a cosy place for a romantic dinner out, whatever the season.

Don’t plan that dinner for a Friday or Saturday night though, as all the locals will be there for either karaoke or live music.  If you’re up for some fun and a bit of loud, local talent, then you can check on The Old Mill’s Facebook page to find out when they’re having their next special event.

As for their menu, the food is delicious and very reasonably priced.  Expect loads of lamb, salmon and local veggies in generous proportions!

Scottish Beef Medallions at The Old Mill

If you would prefer to see your fish on a bed of mashed potatoes, then you’ll be happy to know that Loch Lomond is one of the richest sources of Scottish salmon and river trout in the Southern Highlands.

This enormous loch produces up to 1,500 new salmon and trout every year, and is a popular fishing destination whether you want to spend the day out on the boat, or simply cast a line in from shore.

The summer salmon season is especially good fishing, with Spring salmon fishing being mixed from year to year. Grilse runs can be prolific one year and almost non-existent the next, so check up on local reports if you plan on taking part in this.

Trollers tend to do well, but experienced fly-fishermen can also enjoy a bountiful catch in the shallows.

Fishing Permits and Day Trips

Permits are required for all fishing in Loch Lomond, but you can find useful information about prices and which fish you are entitled to catch on the Loch Lomond Angling Improvement Association website.  Day permits are required, but weekly permits are more cost-effective.  Only an annual membership allows you to fish for coarse fish such as pike and perch.

The Kirkhouse Inn also offers fishing day trips to Loch Lomond and surrounding rivers.

Featured in a number of poems and songs, the Pots of Gartness were even rumoured to have inspired the famous mathematician John Napier, who came up with many of his greatest ideas while residing at the Pots.

The Pots are a series of rocky pools just outside of Killearn, and are known as a good place to watch salmon leaping up-river on their way to spawn. The area was once a haven for river trout and salmon, but their numbers have declined as a result of commercial fishing operations.

The Pots of Gartness

Fortunately, the fish have made good signs of a comeback in recent years, and it is still a great place to go and watch salmon jumping upstream.

If you’re following the West Highland Way, then the Pots of Gartness should be Day One or Day Two itinerary (depending on how quickly you are doing the trail).  The trail passes directly by the Pots, and are definitely worth the detour.

For more beautiful pictures of the Pots of Gartness, see the feature on Killearn On The Web.

Buchanan Country Golf Club is a luxury golf estate lies in a forested estate that is home to every known variety of tree in Northern Europe. Its sweeping fairways and pristine greens  overlook some of the famous Loch Lomond and provide visitors with an unparalleled Killearn golf experience.

Buchanan Country Golf Club was built on the lands of the Buchanan family, who held the lands on Loch Lomondside since the 13th century. The Graham Family, The Dukes of Montrose, bought the land in the 17th century.  They have rebuilt much of the estate and continue to own the golf estate and surrounding lands.

Buchanan Castle

The course is expertly maintained and manicured, the locals are friendly, and it is far enough away from the city to keep playing golf there a relaxing, private pastime. The clubhouse offers delicious meals made with local ingredients, and the bar is always buzzing with laughter on a Sunday afternoon.

The designer of this Killearn golf course was the lendary James Braid, Five Times Open Champion and designer of the King’s at Gleneagles, Rosemount, Carnoustie and Dalmahoy. His personal scorecard is on display in the clubhouse.

It is so prominent, in fact, that it is a recognisable landmark from as far away as Glasgow, and it’s one of our favourite walks near Killearn.

The famous ‘bump’ is in fact a volcanic plug 427 metres high – a relic from when Scotland was alive with volcanic activity. It is easily reached via a footpath with easy access from the road. The summit of Dumgoyne is marked with a standing stone, erected recently by Rotarians. The route passes close by the Spittal of Ballewan, the site of a former Knights Templar hospital, which is well worth a visit.

A little further along the West Highland Way you can find another hill called Dumfoyne.  This hill is far less climbed than Dumgoyne, but offers a unique view of the much more wooded hill of Dumgoyach.  If you go this way, please do not damage any fences as these keep out the sheep, which allows the hill to stay wooded.