20 Attractions to Explore Near Balloch Castle

Balloch Castle Country Park lies on the southeast shores of Loch Lomond, on the northern edge of Balloch, 20 miles north of Glasgow. First recognised as a country park in 1980, it was originally developed in the early 19th century. Both the park and Balloch Castle were built by John Buchanan. Although the house has been periodically used for visitor facilities and council offices, it is now included on the Buildings at Risk Register. Balloch Castle is a category A listed building.

PS Maid of the Loch is the last paddle steamer built in the United Kingdom. It has operated on Loch Lomond for 29 years and as of 2021 is being restored at Balloch pier. It is open to the public every day Easter to October, and weekends only through the winter. She has a new livery of red, white and black, the funnel now red with a black top.

A vast 200-acre country park on the southern tip of Loch Lomond in West Dunbartonshire, Scotland. It features nature trails, guided walks, a walled garden, and picnic lawns with views of the Loch.

Loch Lomond is the largest loch in all of Great Britain as measured by surface area.The loch is surrounded by many hills and also it is known for containing many islands, including Inchmurrin, the largest freshwater island in the British Isles. The total volume of Loch Lomond is 2.6 km3, making it the second largest lake in Great Britain, after Loch Ness, by water volume.

Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre is home to over thirty Birds of Prey and Owls, representing twenty-six species including all 5 British Owls. Birds of all sizes, the Little Owl, Kestrels, Buzzards, Hawks, Falcons and Eagles, including “Orla”, our Golden Eagle. The site is a relaxing venue to learn & escape every day life.

A beautiful national park in Scotland centred on Loch Lomond and the hills and glens of the Trossachs, along with several other ranges of hills. It was the first of the two national parks established by the Scottish Parliament in 2002. The park extends to cover much of the western part of the southern highlands, lying to the north of the Glasgow conurbation, and contains many mountains and lochs.

Loch Lomond Seaplanes is an airline based in Scotland. Currently the airline operates tour and charter flights, as well as regular flights around the west coast of Scotland, with a two times a day service from Glasgow to Oban which operates from November to February, and Glasgow to Tobermory, Mull. The seaplane covers around 70 miles on the Discovery flights and approximately 110 miles on the Explorer flights.

The Vale of Leven Pool offers a welcoming public swim facility with main and teaching pools, also offering a variety of lessons and aquatic activities like water aerobics. It comprises a 25-metre, five-lane swimming pool together with a smaller teaching pool, a dance studio which offers a programme of exercise classes, a children's indoor adventure play area, a health and fitness club and a sauna and steam room.

Inchmurrin is the largest & most southerly island in Loch Lomond. At 113 ha it is also the largest inland island in the UK. It reaches a height of 89 metres towards the north and is largely wooded. There is an excellent view of the north end of the loch. The island was formerly a deer park of the Dukes of Montrose, who had a hunting lodge built in 1793 and maintained a gamekeeper and his family there.

Creinch is an island on the Highland boundary fault in Loch Lomond. As the Gaelic name implies, it is completely covered in ivy draped trees, including some wych elms. In summer it can be difficult to penetrate the interior and in spring, it is carpeted in wild garlic, wild hyacinths and wood anemones.

St. Peter's Seminary is a former Roman Catholic seminary near Cardross, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It has been described by the international architecture conservation organisation DOCOMOMO as a modern "building of world significance. It is one of only 42 post-war buildings in Scotland to be listed at Category A, the highest level of protection for a building of "special architectural or historic interest.

Inchoman is a beautiful island and is known for its large sandy beaches, and is low lying, and marshy. The island was once owned by the Colquhouns of Luss, and now owned by Luss Estates. A large two-storey ruin stands at the western point but no record exists of any occupants. There are shingle beaches on either side of the island, meaning that on a sunny day, at least one is sheltered.

Geilston Garden is a property of the National Trust for Scotland, north-west of Cardross, Argyll and Bute. It has many attractive features including the walled garden with herbaceous border providing summer colour, tranquil woodland walks and a large working kitchen garden. The garden is open from April to October daily.

Lords Meadow Leisure Centre is a large facility in a lovely setting with welcoming staff and a friendly atmosphere. Meadows consists of a 25metre, five lane pool and a 12.5 meter learner pool complete with changing village, family cubicles, accessible changing room and school/club changing areas. Designed to be fully accessible and with a wide range of activities available Meadows is the ideal facility for all the family.

A majestic bridge which was on the approaching road to Overtoun House, near Dumbarton in West Dunbartonshire, Scotland. It was a category B-listed structure completed in 1895, based on a design by the landscape architect H. E. Milner.

A beautiful and stunning country house in West Dunbartonshire. Overlooking the town of Dumbarton and the River Clyde. It boasts historic gardens, picnic areas, Victorian architecture and wonderful wildlife. It is now home to a Centre for Hope and Healing, a tearoom serving snacks, hot and cold drinks and homebaked cakes and also it offers some ruraL walks also. This Scottish Baronial architecture is protected as a category A listed building.

Inchfad is an island in the south east of Loch Lomond in Scotland. It is 1.35 km long and forty hectares in area. Its highest point is 25 metres. The island forms part of the parish of Buchanan in west central Scotland, formerly part of Stirlingshire and now under Stirling Council. There are two houses on Inchfad, a modernized bungalow which served as the original farmhouse and a wooden house used as a holiday home.

This beautiful nature reserve encompasses 430 hectares of land at the southeastern part of Loch Lomond in the council areas of Stirling and West Dunbartonshire, in Scotland. The reserve encompasses a wide range of habitats, including woodlands, open water, grassland and wetlands. Due to its position on the Highland Boundary Fault, the varying natural environments of the highlands and lowlands give rise to habitats and species at both their northern and southern limit.

Inchcailloch is an islet on Loch Lomond in Scotland. It is 85 metres at its highest point. It is also known to some as Inchebroida. A popular spot within Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, the island is only a short hop from the mainland but can feel like you’re a million miles away. With fairly easy paths and both natural and historic spots to explore, the island is certainly worth some consideration if you’re looking for places to explore in the area.