Number 21 and 5 year old Riley’s 1st! - Ben Lomond

[ChelseaMurray]

Day trip planned to take 5 year old nephew on his first Munro with dad and Alexander. Ben Lomond was the plan, not one I had done yet so number 21 for me!

Left at 615am, parked at Rowardennan car park at 7am and already 75% full. (Note: toilets only open 9am-4pm) so a wee bit early for that luxury!

Off we set in great spirits passing lots of lovely bluebells that had bloomed in the woods. Through a couple of gates and across a bridge then onto the hillside we go. Great view of the summit from here but “ages away” according to Riley. Still he marched on, with lots of stops along the way for sandwiches and chocolate.

Wee bit steep at beginning and end but a lovely long stretch in the middle but a gentle incline.
So many people cheered him on and wished him well which we was delighted about! A lovely group of women who we passed a few times even clapped for him as he approached the trig! Walked the whole way to the top and ran to touch the trig point first. 3 and a half hours from car to trig but what a cracking 3 and a half hours it was.

Bite to eat at the top and lots of pictures with lots more congratulations from lots of lovely people then down we went. Again, Riley marched all the way back down himself. 2 hours 20 back to the car. Quick splash in the Loch and a stop at Balmaha for a promised ice-cream then home!

Fabulous day, sunny but breezy. Great views over to Arrochar alps, Loch Lomond and Loch Katrine ⛰