Scottish Tour Guide's Blog

Triumph at Rest and be Thankful, Scotland

This afternoon, I collected guests from Cameron House Hotel on Loch Lomond and then drove round to nearby Luss  for lunch.

Unfortunately, we were hampered by exceptionally heavy rain and were forced to omit a walking tour around Luss. Instead we dashed back to the car and then headed north to Tyndrum. Originally, we planned to visit Glencoe but were thwarted by a road closure, presumably due to the snow.

After a refreshment stop at the ‘Green Welly’ we headed west and then south to the pleasant town of Inveraray  on the banks of Loch Fyne. Due to our altitude the hills were covered in a good layering of snow, and the weather was reasonably clear. We stopped en-route for a photo-shoot of Kilchurn Castle on Loch Awe.

We did not stop at Inveraray because light was fading so we drove on along the banks of Loch Fyne to the famous Loch Fyne Oyster Bar with intention of purchasing oysters. Unfortunately, the shop was closed, so we continued on until we reached the famous pass knows as ‘Rest and be Thankful’. Here we stopped for pictures and views at the very tail end of the daylight. Before moving on we first had to dig ourselves out of the snow.

Finally, we drove on down to Loch Lomond (again) and then to Glasgow city where the tour ended about 5.30pm in good time for guests to catch the return train to London.

Cameron House luxury hotel.

Cameron House, Loch Lomond, Scotland

Seaplane moored close to Cameron House, but not going anywhere.

Seaplane, Loch Lomond, Scotland

View of Conic Hill from Cameron House.

Conic Hill, Loch Lomond, Scotland

Snow covered hill near Tyndrum

Snow covered Tyndrum Landscape, Scotland

Kilchurn Castle on Loch Awe, a romantic ruin.

Kilchurn Castle, Loch Awe, Scotland

Loch Fyne Oyster Bar. A high end eatery but quite remote.

Loch Fyne Oyster Bar, Scotland

Twilight view of Rest and be Thankful. Here we found ourselves stuck in the snow.

Rest and be Thankful Pass, Scotland

Overall, an interesting and satisfying tour despite the bad weather, which is not unusual at this time of year.

Dumbarton and Ben Lomond from Dumbarton Castle, Scotland

This evening, my focus is on the often overlooked town of Dumbarton, a place of great historic significance. The name derives from dun breatainn or ‘fort of the Britons’ from the time when the place was capital of the ancient British kingdom of Strathclyde which covered S.W.Scotland and parts of northern England during the 7th-9th centuries AD. At that time the language spoken was a form of Welsh.

The successor to the ancient fort of the Britons sits atop a volcanic outcrop on the bank of the River Clyde. It has a long tradition of military usage from the Wars of Independence, to Mary Queen of Scots, the Jacobite uprisings and defence against possible French attack. The castle was last occupied by the military in World War II when it was bombed by German aircraft.

The castle is open to the public and offers superb views  over the Clyde and to the Trossachs to those who are prepared to undertake the steep climb to the top.

The town of Dumbarton came to prominence in the 19th century with industries such as glassmaking, shipbuilding and whisky manufacture. Today, there still remain whisky bottling plants and bonded warehouses, with latter distinguished by the black fungus which covers the warehouse buildings..

Surprisingly, Dumbarton is by-passed by the hordes of visitors in coach and car which year go past Dumbarton en-route to/from Loch Lomond and points further north. However, the more discerning visitor will be rewarded by a visit to the Castle and its attendant views and direct connection with a long period  of history.

When time permits I include a visit to Dumbarton Castle in my private tours.

Below is a view of the Clyde from a former gun battery.

River Clyde from Dumbarton Castle, Scotland

Bridge over River Teith, Callander, Scotland

This evening, I am focusing the popular town of Callander which sits on the banks of the River Teith and on the edge of the Scottish Highlands. This area is also known as the Trossachs which benefits from some stunning scenery comprising lochs ( such as Venachar and Katrine) and mountains. This area has long associations with the legendary ‘outlaw’  Rob Roy Macgregor. Within a short drive range of Callander can be found:

• Kilmahog, home of the famous ‘Hamish’  Highland Cow.

Hamish, Highland Bull, Kilmahog

• Doune Castle
• Stirling Castle
• Killin and the Falls of Dochart.
• Loch Katrine
• Loch Lomond.
• Lake of Menteith
• Blair Drummond Safari Park

Overall, a great base for sightseeing whilst avoiding the need for travelling long distances.