This short but steep little nature trail explores the oakwoods on the east side of Loch Lomond from Inversnaid, celebrated in poetry by Gerard Manley Hopkins.
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Clear but steep paths.
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1. The walk begins at the large hotel at Inversnaid on the east side of Loch Lomond. It can be reached either via as the end of a long road from Aberfoyle in the Trossachs, or alternatively via a boat from Inveruglas on the west side of the Loch during the summer months. Inversnaid was part of the grand tour during the nineteenth century; tourists would approach by boat before being taken from Inversnaid by horse and coach to Stronachlachar on Loch Katrine, from where they would sail down the loch. Today the hotel here is the base for coach holidays but it still enjoys a peaceful and very beautiful spot.
2. The walk begins by following the West Highland Way north from the large car park. A sign soon indicates the beginning of the Inversnaid Nature Reserve, owned and maintained by the RSPB. Beautiful oakwoods sweep down from the hills to the shores of the loch; a truly natural landscape, these woods contain birch, rowan, hazel and holly as well as oaks. Continue along the West Highland Way, reaching and passing behind an old corrugated iron boat house on the loch shores. The prominent pipelines and building on the shores opposite are the hydro-electric power station at Inveruglas.
3. Just before a little wooden bridge a sign indicates the start of the nature trail, turning off to the right uphill into the woods. The climb is steep but very enjoyable, with old ruins beneath the canopy of trees being all that remains of the old settlement of Cladachbeag. Eventually the path reaches a clearing with a bench and a fine view back down Loch Lomond. Opposite, towering behind Tarbet, are the mountains of the Arrochar Alps.
4. From the bench the path begins to descend back through the woods, crossing a wooden footbridge over a stream. Once back down to the loch shores the West Highland Way is reached once more. A glance at the map shows a tempting detour to the right to visit Rob Roy's cave; however this old hideout of the noble rogue really only consists of a cleft amongst broken rocks and isn't really worth the effort. Instead turn left to return to Inversnaid along the beautiful shores of Loch Lomond.
5. The poet Gerard Manley Hopkins stayed at Inversnaid and wrote a poem of the same name. It is often quoted by
conservationists and nature enthusiasts:
What would the world be, once bereft
Of wet and wildness? Let them be left
Oh let them be left, wildness and wet
Long live the weeds and wilderness yet.
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