A lovely circular walk through Balloch Country Park, with good views over Loch Lomond and a visit to a well-planted walled garden and the outside of Balloch House.
Bog Factor
Tarmac track and paths, mainly flat.
Balloch Country Park visitor car park.
Regular buses from Glasgow and Crianlarich as well as Citylink coaches which stop on the A42.
NS391831
Start from the far end of the car park and follow the marked path down past a couple of large pine trees to a junction with a larger path. Turn right here, where there is a grave for Bran, a dog from the house, and follow the tarmac path as it runs straight, between an avenue of rhododendrons and large trees; there are great views to the left over Loch Lomond below.
Keep following the wide path as it enters Horseshoe Woods and eventually turns back on itself to start returning along the lochside. The Country Park is now owned by Glasgow City Council (although it is run by the local council, West Dumbartonshire) who bought it in 1915 and set it aside for the use of Glasgow citizens. The house and the 200 acres of grounds was originally built by John Buchanan of Ardoch, one of the partners of the Glasgow Ship Bank and a Tory MP, in 1808. However the site had been a stronghold of the Earls of Lennox who had a castle in the grounds since the thirteenth century. Lord Darnley, who married Mary Queen of Scots, was the son of the fourth Earl of Lennox - he was murdered in Holyrood in 1567.
The path now follows the shores of the Loch, in some places the paddle steamer, The Maid of the Loch, now being restored, can be seen at the head of the Loch. Across the water, Cameron House, now a hotel, can be made out as well as the hills beyond. Keep following the wide path through the trees lining the water's edge. Eventually a slipway and boathouse is passed with an excellent children's play area on the left.
The path now heads slightly uphill and then alongside the mouth of the River Leven where many boats are moored. Keep following the main tarmaced path as it bears round to the left and follows a straight line with street lamps. Turn to the left where white pebbles line the route and the walls of the walled garden can be seen ahead. Bear left to explore the walled garden which is well worth a visit, it was restored with lottery funding in 2002 and is well-planted and maintained. After looking at the garden return by the same stone archway and take the path the left, marked with orange arrows to head slightly uphill.
Soon this path meets the main route again, turn left onto the tarmac track and follow it until you reach Balloch House, keeping left at a fork. It is worth walking around the front of the house to appreciate the castellated architecture, but then return to the back and turn left to follow the small road back to the car park and the start of the walk.
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