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View across Loch to hill rising above shore, covered with pine trees.
The view from our apartment

Last week I spent a couple of days exploring the lochs around the small village of Arrochar.

Arrochar is situated on the eastern shore of Loch Long, and in the summer it’s a popular base for walkers. But in late October it is very quiet, ideal for a restful break with my dad.

View of buildings at base of step hill, overlooking loch
View down the loch with dark hills either side
Images of Loch Long

Loch Long is tidal and yes, very long, ending in the Firth of Clyde. After a drive from the very top, and down the eastern side to Garelochhead (as the name suggests, at the head of Loch Gare) we then cut across to Loch Lomond.

colourful paddle boats moored on loch, with distant hills and low cloud.
Loch Lomond

By the time we arrived in the small village of Luss, the weather was closing in. We had a lunch outside a local store and then took a leisurely wander down to the loch. Despite the time of year I was struck by how busy it seemed. Indeed, it must be positively crowded in the summer.

Sadly, the rain was starting to fall so we escaped to the car and decided on a drive north along the loch side.

Leisure boat on the loch, near shore of trees on steep hillside.
House in foreground, surrounded by trees, with steep brown hill dominating the background.
view of loch with small tree-laden island in foreground.
Above: images from Loch Lomond

Loch Lomond is one of Scotland’s largest. It is some 36 kilometres in length (22 miles) and 8km (5 miles) across at its widest. By surface area it is the largest freshwater lake in Scotland and England. However, by volume it is easily surpassed by Loch Ness.

Overlooked by Ben Lomond, the loch sits in some beautiful countryside; and gives its name to the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. It is a premier boating loch but also hosts a hydroelectric power station on its West Bank at Inverlugus.

White faced buildings lining the street overlooking the loch, below grey sky.
Inveraray

On our final day we visited the small town of Inveraray. Situated on Loch Fyne, the distinctive white buildings were looking vibrant under the morning sun, but as the morning progressed, the weather turned once again. What started as a bright crisp day was fading under a cold and grey sky with the promise of rain to follow.

We had debated whether or not to visit the castle at Inveraray but as it was closed, the decision was made for us. So we explored the high street, stopping for coffee and also buying some tablet (a Scottish sweet similar to fudge) from an old-fashioned sweet shop.

Sadly, the cold was taking its toll so we returned to the car before heading back to Arrochar. By the time we left there for the long drive back to the Borders, the rain had arrived. It had turned into a dreich day.

close-up of white buildings on high street, with blue sky.
Looking up the high street towards the town hall, below a clear blue sky.
Inveraray before the clouds and grey sky
Blue sky reflected on the surface of the loch. with hills in background.
Loch Fyne