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Sub 2k Marilyns: Ben Bowie
Date: 18/01/2020.
Distance: 14.5 km.
Ascent: 420 m.
Time: 3 hours, 30 minutes.
Weather: Sunny, slight breeze.
The weather hasn't been overly inspiring this January - I can accept a lack of snow (so long as we get some at some point), but the endless wind and clag hasn't inspired us to get up early and head anywhere too far afield. Saturday looked ok, but Jackie was working in Helensburgh until midday. We could have nipped up to Arrochar afterwards but to add to the misery, we had both been nursing colds, the worst of which appeared to be over. So instead we went for something a bit more leisurely....
...well sort of
. Jackie had gone out on the train so I decided to cycle part of the way out to meet her in Helensburgh. We would then traverse Ben Bowie (and as she had her cello with her, she would need to carry that) and drop down to Balloch. Nice and leisurely
.
I decided to cycle out to Dumbarton the long way on the south side of the Clyde and hop over the Erskine Bridge. I was a bit slow as the wind was against me, but was able to get to Dumbarton in time for the train I wanted.
Kilpatrick Hills lurk behind Clydebank 
Crossing the Erskine Bridge 
On the canal 
Forth and Clyde Canal joins the Clyde I abandoned the bike and made the quick train ride to Helensburgh, arriving pretty much the same time as Jackie. She had been thinking about doing this walk after work for a while (she has done it plenty of other times), but it would always require carrying her cello over the hill. At least it was only a half-size one!
We strolled along the shore and out to Craigendoran before picking up part of the Three Lochs Way. The construction of this footpath links together quite a lot of bits of unconnected forestry track and includes a nice section through some mixed woodland before ascending the hill. We passed plenty of people out enjoying the sunshine.
On the shore at Helensburgh 
Helensburgh and the Rosneath peninsula The Three Lochs Way doesn't quite go to the summit of Ben Bowie, but it is only a 5 minute detour away, the first few meters through pretty wet ground. Once above that though, it is easy and there is a bit of a trodden way.
Summit path We made our way over to the northern of the two summits as it has the best view of Loch Lomond. At this point, having lugged a cello all the way up, Jackie decided it was a great photo opportunity. I persuaded her to give a bit of a performance - how often does that opportunity come up - and we got a video of an appropriate tune. However the sound engineer is in grave danger of getting the sack
.
Summit concert 
Rosneath and Cowal 
Loch Lomond 
Glen Fruin 
Looking across to Greenock Ben Bowie really is great for views. This was my second time up and I'm sure I'll be back again. However the breeze had got up and it was chilly, so after a quick bite to eat we re-joined the Three Lochs Way for an easy walk to Balloch.
What kind of idiot...? 
Inchmurrin and Loch Lomond 
Ben Lomond 
Conic Hill 
Descending to Balloch 
Maid of the Loch 
End of Loch Lomond - Ben Lomond to left We veered through the Lomond Shores shopping centre (I get the feeling some people that come never see Loch Lomond from anywhere else) and grabbed a convenient ice cream, then a short stroll to the station at Balloch.
Loch Lomond from Lomond Shores On the train, I decided that my cold hadn't held me back too much, so rather than grabbing my bike from the platform at Dumbarton, I'd cycle back to Glasgow on it instead. Again I went a slightly longer way as it was a lovely evening.
Back over the Erskine Bridge