We stayed in Cedar Cabin from 29th June - 3rd July. It was our
first time and we will definately return. Very relaxing and
fantastic scenery. It is just what was needed away from it all with
plenty to see and do we did not want to leave!!
Mark & Natalie
08 July 2009
Sightseeing
Lochend is wonderfully central, there are so many places to visit, but we thought we'd recommend 3 of our family's favourites.
Stirling Castle
15 miles from Lochend.
On a wet day there are plenty of interesting different building to
hide in, the Great Hall, the old kitchens and the military museum.
But on a fine day the gardens and the views are really spectacular.
Through the summer at the weekends there are often re-enactments or
events taking place. A nice new Costa cafe has married new
architecture with some old vaults. In all, a really interesting
place for lots of different reasons, and for all different
ages.
General Office - Tel No 01786 450000
Gift Shop - 01786 431317.
Tickets cost: Adult: £13.00 (age 16-59) Child:
£6.50 (age 5-15) Concession: £10.00 Child under 5: FreeAdults -
£8.32, Seniors - £6.34, Children (5-15 yrs) - £4.16, under 5's -
free. Prices are likely to go up in April. Parking £2 for 4 hours
at castle.
http://www.stirlingcastle.gov.uk/
Inchmaholme
1 mile, across the water
This is probably best visited on a fine day, avoid Sundays and bank
holidays as it can get busy. The jetty is on the northern side of
the Lake and just before the hotel there is a jetty where a ferry
runs back and forth from 9am-5pm from Easter to October. It is a
really magical place, with impressive remains of the 12th Century
Priory and, although you aren't allowed to climb all over the ruins
as we did as children, you can still run round the island, find the
Yew Tree clearing, where I always imagined the Infant Mary Queen of
Scots played! And have a picnic. There is only a tiny shop on the
island so provisions should be taken with you; and off, if there's
any left over!
Tickets cost: Adults - £5 Concessions - £4
Children £3.
http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/propertyplan/propertyoverview.htm?PropID=pl_157&PropName=Inchmahome%20Priory
Glen Coe
1.5hours drive
Glencoe Visitor's Centre - Tel.No. 01855
811307
http://www.glencoe-nts.org.uk/Visitor-Centre-g.asp
Glencoe Ski Centre - Tel.No. 01855 851233
http://www.glencoemountain.com/
This is a truly spectacular place, in both weathers, and can
take the form or a car journey, or walking or, if we are lucky with
snow, skiing. It takes an hour and a half from Lochend, and if you
have never experienced the wild Scottish landscape of the highlands
then this is a must.
Drive to Callander then on to the A84 pass through Strathyre, at
Lochearnhead the road becomes the A85, Crianlarich, and then to
Tyndrum where we like to stop at the 'Green Wellie Stop' homebaking
and great loos! Take the A82 Fort William and from here on in the
mountains dominate the landscape; another 15 mins drive and you are
at the ski lift, follow the road through the glen and at the end
visit the National Trust for Scotland's excellent Visitors Centre.
There is a nice wee café here, interactive geography information,
and a show recounting the famous tragedy involving the MacDonald
and Campbell Clans. You can also start some gentle, and some
vigorous, walks from here.
Please click on the thumbnails below
