Stirling Castle or Loch Lomond

Hi, Dabney,

The family may enjoy a hike up Conic Hill, which is on the eastern shore of Loch Lomond. It's about a three mile round trip. You probably would not have enough time to hike up Ben Lomond, which is probably the easiest of the Munros to bag.

There is also something called the Loch Lomond Faerie Trail, which may appeal to the youngest of your daughters.

The Loch Lomond area would be a great way to spend your day, as it's on the way to Oban.

Safe travels, and best wishes,

Mike (Auchterless)

I didn’t have a car when I was in Glasgow so I did a day trip that included Stirling Castle and Loch Lomond, with a one hour boat cruise option. Personally, I would have spent a lot more time at the castle if I could have. Loch Lomond is a pretty area, but there is wonderful scenery all over Scotland. Few castles have the history that Stirling has, and if I had to choose one or the other I would go to the castle.

You don't say what mileage you consider to be a "moderate hike", but you would be walking part of the West Highland Way along the east shore of the Loch, either Balmaha to Rowardennan or Rowardennan to Inversnaid or Inversnaid to Ardleish.
From Ardleish there is a little ferry across the Loch to the Ardlui Hotel. Finish your walk with a snack at the Hotel then catch the Citylink bus back to the parked car at Tarbet. The stretch from Inversnaid to Ardleish (or on up the canal to Inverarnan) is surprisingly strenuous.
https://ardlui.com/hotel/#ferry

If the weather was nice I would personally choose the Loch Lomond walk.

You would need to drive up the west shore of the Loch to either Luss or Tarbet then park there (I would choose Tarbet over Luss)
https://www.cruiselochlomond.co.uk/waterbus-ferries

The waterbus to the now unpopulated island of Inchcailloch with time to explore the island is also interesting, and a much gentler alternative.

You could decide on the day depending on weather. If it was raining you could do Stirling Castle then the 2 hour drive to Oban via the A84 Callander and Lochearnhead as far as Killin, then the A85 to Oban.

This is a video of the Balmaha to Rowardennan stretch (starting from Drymen further south)- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liPkz47s-CI&list=PLt9UiadU1aXl_cnDaIpDM5r1dTmh220SJ&index=2
and this of the Rowardennan to Ardlish for Ardlui (and on to Crianlarich) stretch-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ynhtyzah_-4&list=PLt9UiadU1aXl_cnDaIpDM5r1dTmh220SJ&index=3
This is the Loch Lomond Faerie Trail (and new nature trail) mentioned by Mike, above-
https://www.lochlomondfaerietrail.com/
It is interesting to see Lorna's videos (Jo's companion) of the same walk on her channel- Lorna Jane adventures.

A totally different possible visit on the drive to Oban is the Cruachan Hydro Electric Power station- https://www.visitcruachan.co.uk/

Loch Lomond is really not anything that special in terms of geography or scenery if one has seen more than a few lakes before. I found Stirling Castle very interesting due to its history. What it reallly gets down to is convenience and interest .

Loch Lomond is more of a direct path to Oban and is a lake with outdoor opportunities.

Stirling Castle can be grouped with the Falkirk Wheel and the Kelpies for those who love history/technology and involves uniquely Scottish experiences.

You simply need to choose what appeals to you. You can have a good day either way.

When we hiked the West Highland Way a few years ago, we walked the length of Loch Lomond. We saw much of it through rain, but we did enjoy the different views. Be careful in selecting an area for a day hike as we found parts of the trail to be the most difficult hiking we had done (we hike frequently on the West Coast of America) -- very muddy in places, with lots of roots and rocks. I can't speak of Stirling Castle, but if it's a nice day, I say go for the outdoors.

It's a fairly long drive from Glasgow all the way to Oban, especially counting checking out, getting your car, getting the family and all luggage wrangled. Loch Lomond will be right on your way, whereas Stirling is out of the way.

We took a boat ride on Loch Lomond out of Luss and greatly enjoyed it. Note if you just want a scenic stop, Luss is a small village off the A82; if you blink you'll miss the sign for the turnoff. There's pay & display parking by the dock and a few small gift shops, places to get a snack, public toilets. Check Cruise Loch Lomond https://www.cruiselochlomond.co.uk/

A different option would be Inveraray, which is also right on the way. You could eat lunch at Brambles and tour the castle, possibly do a walk/hike on the castle grounds. The castle also has a tea/snack room.

You could also stop for lunch at Loch Fyne Oyster Bar-
https://www.lochfyne.com/
(although both that and Inveraray are off the direct route to Oban).
Back on route the remains of the Bonawe Iron Furnace at Taynuilt is also worth a visit.-https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/bonawe-historic-iron-furnace/

The easiest boat trip on Loch Lomond (without a walk) is Sweeney's at Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch.-
http://www.sweeneyscruiseco.com/
https://lochlomondshores.com/nature/

Lots of parkland there, with short walks, nature trails, biking, also retail therapy at The Shores, and a chance to see The Maid of the Loch- one of the old Loch steamers, now being restored.
https://www.maidoftheloch.org/?fbclid=IwAR0rXsx9GsEj3Sr7Ti9HiiRdjW1bHodfQXPj3hT1YGuSukww-TFBi5dC9M4

Having re-watched both Jo's and Lorna's videos I am a bit concerned about the suitability of the WHW walks for the Children.

Another possibly off the wall suggestion, would be to drive to Gourock and catch the ferry across to Dunoon. It is a very frequent service - you join the queue and pay once on board.

Then head to Inverary past Holy Loch, Loch Eck and Loch Fyne. Benmore Gardens (just off the road betweern Holy Loch and Loch Eck) is a good place to stop and stretch legs. Inverary with its Castle and [Jail][9] is definitely worth a longer stop and also lunch. Then head to Oban round the top of Loch Awe, with views of the ruined Kilchurn Castle, which is curently closed at the moment unfortinately dues to conservation work.

You are probably talking about 4 hours drivin g time plus the ferry and stops.

The other route would be A82 along the side of Loch Lomond and then pick up the A83 over the wonderfully named Rest and Be Thankful pass to Inverary and than Oban.

Having gone over to Dunoon on the Western Ferries route the even more off the wall route is to drive through Tighnabruaich then the ferry from Portavadie to Tarbert, then drive up through Ardrsihaig and Lochgilphead, then up through Kilmartin to Oban. The museum may still be closed at Kilmartin, but you should still be able to see the stones. Then continue up to Oban.
I think we have 5 or 6 routes now, all great scenic routes (the via Stirling Castle and Loch Earn is still a contender), all perfectly possible in a day, and still haven't exhausted the possible routes.
There is still the Wemyss Bay route, and the totally off the wall one I was looking at earlier in the week, via the Isle of Arran. Probably other non ferry routes as well.

We have taken wasleys routes and both are lovely. Inveraray is worth some time in our opinion as well.
Of course most all of the routes in that area are lovely.

Not an expert here, just two trips to Scotland but have focused on that part of a lovely, historical country. Looking forward to our return soon.

Wow! I am blown away by all of your thoughtful responses! I have looked into a lot of these including Lorna's video and was almost sold on that idea along with the ferry to the Ardlui Hotel but then was considering the difficulty of the hike for my girls. Would it be too much to climb up Conic Hill, have lunch and do a boat ride from Ballach or Luss? In terms of time in a day I mean.

Thanks so much for all of your help!

I think that would make quite a nice day-
Leave Glasgow at 9am, 26 mile drive- say 1 hour.
2 1/2 mile round trip walk, say 2 hours-
Leave Balmaha around 12 noon- 11 mile drive to Loch Lomond Shores at Balloch- arrive 1230-Lunch (al fresco if it's a good day)-
Sweeney's Cruise at 2.15 pm, back at 3.15pm-
75 mile drive to Oban- say 2 hours- so you should be there around 5.30pm

Wow. i am doing something very similar but coming from Edinburgh. Maybe that would add on a couple more hours? Some great comments about which place to go depending on weather. Good news as it will be June the days will be long.