Guide to Scotland’s West Coast

Your very first glimpse of the “sleeping waters” of Loch Lomond will be enough to understand why it has such an important role in heritage, music, myth, and folklore. Above the lake rises Ben Lomond, which comes from the Gaelic for “beacon mountain”, perhaps due to the beacons lit at the top in ancient times. 

Loch Lomond has won most contemporary fame for the anonymously authored song “By yon bonnie banks and by yon bonnie braes”. The lyrics illustrate its beauty: “in soft purple hue, the Highland Hills we view….the wee bird sing and the wildflowers spring….On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond”.

The Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority have a wonderful guide to the culture of the area and to the Gaelic language. They also offer a brand new journey planner app. Loch Lomond is part of the West Highland Way walking trail, but you can also drive and park near the lake, or take the train to Balloch. 

This area contains one of the UK’s largest National Nature Reserves: The Great Trossachs Forest, with mature and restored woodland providing a home for Red Squirrels, Pine Martens, Roe Deer, Badgers, Tawny Owls and Woodpeckers. The most magical time to visit is May, where the entire forest is carpeted in bluebells.

There are many places to stay in the park, including well-equipped campsites, self-catering cottages, and youth hostels. Loch Lomond is vast, and renting one of our Motorhomes is a great way to catch that true Lomond experience of waking up in the open air — perhaps even taking an icy dip before breakfast!

At 1,345 metres (4413 feet) above sea level, Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the British Isles. Those keen to scale its dramatic peaks can take the “Mountain Path” which takes 7-9 hours for the round trip, or for more experienced climbers, the Carn Mor Dearg Arête is a thrilling route up the exposed ridge of the mountain.

Fort William is the town closest to Ben Nevis, and is known as the “Outdoor Capital of the UK”. Apart from hiking and climbing, Fort William also attracts other outdoor sports enthusiasts, including paragliders and skiers, and the area is also particularly renowned for its mountain bike trails. 

For a less strenuous way to appreciate these dramatic landscapes, you can take the Jacobite Steam Train, or “Harry Potter Train”; fans might recognise many landscapes from the films.