Having just tied the knot, there was nothing I was looking forward to more than the honeymoon, after the buzz and excitement of the wedding itself, my wife and I jetted off to New York for a 5 day visit taking in the great cityscape, shops, bars and restaurants that the city that never sleeps has to offer. We managed to get tickets to see Wicked at the Gershwin on Broadway which was fantastic too! 5 days in New York however was quite enough and then we were able to look forward to a relaxing week in a luxury lodge on the banks of Loch Lomond.
Breathtaking is a word that I would use and after the hustle and bustle of New York there was nothing I needed more than to sit in the hot tub on the terrace and share a nice bottle of bubbly and the far reaching views out over Loch Lomond with my wife. We stayed at the Loch Lomond Waterfront Lodge in Balmaha, just 20 miles north west of Glasgow. If you are flying into Glasgow or Prestwick, the Loch is best accessed by road and I would recommend
car hire Scotland to take advantage of the wonderful scenery and attractions near by.
If its luxury and sheer relaxation that you are looking for then look no further, the lodges truly were wonderful and the views spectacular….all the better from the warmth of the hot tub! Balmaha has a great little pub (The Anchor) and a small boat yard offering rowing boat / kayak hire and also boat trips out to the many islands (although these are seasonal so worth checking before you arrive). If you are looking to take a break away from it all in the UK,
Loch Lomond Luxury Lodges would come highly recommended, you really are on the doorstep of beautiful landscapes and scenery, not to mention an array of wildlife, some exclusive to the Loch!
We were lucky enough to have fantastic weather for our stay (early April in Scotland is not normally renowned for its clear skies and 19 degree temperatures!) and so took in a few local walks including the moderate climb to Conic Hill (approx 1200 feet) which took about 2.5 hours offering excellent views across the loch and a great view of snow capped Ben Lomond. And it was that view that ignited our enthusiasm to scale the highest peak at Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Standing proud of the rest at 3200 feet, Ben Lomond was a different proposition and required a bit more thought. We are not walkers or climbers but have the basics in terms of clothing and walking boots and boy you’ll need it here. At a steady 19 degrees celcius at the foot of the climb, we gradually increased our layers until we were in full coats and hats at the snow covered peak! And don’t be fooled by a calm breeze at the foot either, it was very gusty at the top which only added to the chill factor! Be sure to take plenty of fluids also, you’d be amazed how thirsty a ‘gentle walk’ can be, nevertheless and experience and achievements that will be fondly remembered!
Once that was out of the way however we continued the more relaxing side of the trip with a short drive to the Glengoyne Distillery for a spot of whisky tasting. I’m by no means a connoisseur of whisky, but can tell my average blend from my single malt and boy does Glengoyne produce a fine single malt! The distillery was great and tour informative, but lets face it, we all went for the tasting! I stumped for a bottle of 10yr old for my dad as a gift and 12yr cask strength for those special occasions, as 58% proof however it really is special! |
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