Balmaha Village Shop & Oak Tree Inn

Let’s start with the shop you are sure to visit at least once during your stay – but probably more! Balmaha village shop offers all the daily necessities and ingredients you might need to cook. It also stocks a range of clothing if you decide to take a hike out into the wilderness. This should definitely be the first shop you get to know nearby. 

The shop is directly connected to the equally-wonderful Oak Tree Inn, which has twice been named Scotland’s Best Pub. It offers delicious food with great views. There is regular live music to get your toes tapping, and you will always be made most welcome when you visit. 

St Mocha

On the banks of the loch you’ll find St Mocha. This is a speciality coffee shop which also serves sweet treats, ice cream and gifts. Whether you are sheltering from inclement weather or wish to bask in the sun with a drink, this is the place to be. Not far from your lodge, St Mocha makes for a great place to stock up on energy for the day ahead, or relax after a bust day exploring Loch Lomond. Or even better – both!

Conic Crafts

Just a short drive away is the village of Drymen. Here you can visit Conic Crafts, a collective-run shop showcasing the best makers in the area. From pottery to artwork, theres so much to be found here. You can take home your own unique piece of the Trossachs!

Drymen Bakery

Fancy trying some local artisan bakery? Drymen Bakery is a family run business offering everything from sourdough loaves to tasty cakes. Baked fresh, it’s a mouthwatering shop to enter! They also do handy lunch snacks which is great if you are in a rush heading out walking or cycling for the day and don’t have time to make something up before you leave. 

Skoosh

If you are looking for a small local tea room and deli to sit and enjoy a break then Skoosh is a great place to visit. As well as seasonal treats offered across the year, they also provide a full Scottish breakfast to help you get going for the day. Not only that, it’s also dog friendly so everyone can come along!

Buy local

By supporting local shops such as these, you get to enjoy the local flavours and workmanship of those who live by Loch Lomond. So please do consider popping in on your way to or from Loch Lomond Waterfront to enjoy some local welcomes and see what treasures you can find to take home. Book your stay with us today to begin exploring the local and independent shops of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. 

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What’s on for families this Easter by Loch Lomond?

During your break at Loch Lomond Waterfront in Balmaha, be sure to spend some time in your luxury lodge or chalet. Have a dip in the hot tub, take in the fresh air and lochside views, feed the ducks, geese and wildlife, paddle in the shallow waters of our private beach. And above all, enjoy some quality family time together. Each of our lodges sleeps 2 to 6 guests, but if you have a larger family group, you are welcome to make a multi-lodge booking. We even have some inter-connecting lodges, so that up to 12 guests can stay together.

As an alternative to our lodges and chalets, we also offer glamping accommodation in our welcoming shepherd’s huts. Each hut has a boutique bathroom, kitchenette and double bed. We have three shepherd’s huts, each sleeping 2 people. Families may wish to book two, or all three of the huts to accommodate a larger group. Please note that our shepherd’s huts don’t have hot tubs.

We have both pet-friendly and pet-free accommodation in our resort, so you can bring your four-legged friends along too!

Easter egg hunts 2024

Join in the annual Easter Egg Hunt at Ben Lomond. This great family activity on Sunday 31st March 2024 is run by the National Trust for Scotland. Follow the trails, solve the clues and receive an Easter treat. Please note, there is a charge of £4 per trail sheet.

Alternatively, solve the trail challenge on a Dumbarton Castle Easter Egg Hunt and a sweet treat is your reward! The trail is included in your admission fee, when visiting the castle. Drop-in throughout the day, from Friday 29th March to Monday 1st April.

Spring walks

There are plenty of beautiful walks here on the east side of Loch Lomond, from gentle strolls along the beach to more challenging routes. Take a look at our guide to walking and hiking in Loch Lomond here. If you’d like to find out more, be sure to ask us when you arrive. We can advise you on walks suitable for your party, or areas you might not have thought to visit.

Family attractions and activities

If that’s not enough to keep you busy, there are plenty of exciting places to visit this spring in Loch Lomond. Such as Blair Drummond Safari Park, Loch Lomond Sea Life Centre, Balloch Castle and Country Park and Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre. Not to mention the many boat trips and cruises, outdoor adventures and more. Take a look at our full list of things to do here. Most seasonal attractions re-open around Easter time, so there are lots to choose from, but please do check their individual opening times before visiting.

If you need any more advice on things to do this Easter in Loch Lomond, just ask us during your stay or get in touch beforehand. Have a great time!

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Our lodge location

Our luxury lodges are nestled on the picturesque shores of Loch Lomond. Earning a 5-star rating signifies excellence across various aspects of our resort. From the quality of service to the grade of facilities we offer. Loch Lomond Waterfront is proud to go the extra mile and make your stay a peaceful and comfy place for you to enjoy.

Hot tub heaven

One of the highlights of our accommodation is that we have a private hot tub at every lodge. Unwind after a day of exploring surrounded by the scenic views of Loch Lomond. Whether you’re travelling as a couple or with a group of friends or family, our lodges can accommodate 2 to 6 people, ensuring that everyone experiences a luxury getaway.

5-star facilities

We provide home-from-home comforts in our waterfront lodges at Loch Lomond. Each 5-star accommodation is equipped with a variety of amenities to ensure a comfortable feel during your stay. 

Additionally, we provide some extras to enhance your holiday experience:

• Free WiFi
• Spa treatments
• BBQs available for hire
• Family-friendly accommodation
• Pet-friendly and pet-free options
• Private terrace
• Every lodge comes with its own private hot tub

Don’t forget, we also have an alcohol license – you can purchase your favourite drinks from reception during operating hours.

This 5 star accommodation rating from Visit Scotland not only recognises our commitment to maintaining high standards but also serves as a promise to our guests that we will continue to be Loch Lomond’s destination of excellence. From the moment you arrive, until you leave, we strive to make every part of your stay memorable. Thank you Visit Scotland for our 2023 5-star accommodation award!

Come and experience the beauty of Scotland at Loch Lomond Waterfront 5-star accommodation. Read the reviews and book your 2024 stay for an amazing escape. 

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The Highlands is known for its many fabulous walking routes, whether they’re the shorter, easier routes like the loop around Loch an Eilien. Or the longer, more strenuous walks like the famed West Highland Way. These walks allow people to truly soak up everything that the Highlands has to offer, from mountains to lochs, views across the North Sea to incredible wildlife.

The West Highland Way

With the longer walks, like the West Highland Way, adventurers must seek out places to stay on their journey. There are a few options; you could camp, and carry your tents with you. Or get a friend to meet you at the end of each day. But, by far the best place to stay on the West Highland Way is in a shepherd’s hut. At Loch Lomond Waterfront, you can stay in one of our shepherd’s huts and enjoy some time glamping.

Shepherd’s Huts – a perfect little home from home

The West Highland Way is a brilliant, but exhausting walk. Nobody wants to haul a tent with them for 96 miles all the way from Milngavie to Fort Williams. And certainly, nobody will want to lay down on a mere roll mat after walking for 8 hours! Luckily, situated between sections 2 and 3 of the West Highland Way, there are three cosy shepherd’s huts.

After exploring the east side of Loch Lomond, staying in a shepherd’s hut at Loch Lomond Waterfront will allow you to truly unwind before carrying on with your exciting adventure. The huts, glamping pods, and chalets take plenty of walkers in as they pass through Balmaha.

Exciting activities along the Way

The site offers walkers the chance to truly appreciate all that Loch Lomond has to offer. The brilliant sparkling waters to visitor hotspots like Inchcailloch Island and Inversnaid RSPB Reserve. No matter what type of thing sparks your interest, there’s bound to be something nearby to excite you. There’s the Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre and the TreeZone Aerial Adventure Course to keep you busy too! Who says the walk has to be done as quickly as possible? Take a moment and enjoy the Highlands! There’s even plenty to do on-site, with a private beach, wild swimming, and even deluxe spa treatments.

Relax and unwind

If you’re too worn out to take a trip out to any of the nearby visitor attractions, you can simply enjoy your stay in our shepherd’s hut. Comfortable beds. Soft, luxurious linens and towels. A full en-suite bathroom to clean up after your walk. They’re a little slice of heaven on your long journey through the Highlands. For travellers with canine companions, two of our shepherd’s huts are completely dog-friendly. So even your furry friend can enjoy the fun.

When it comes to dinner time, you can purchase a BBQ, or pop next door to The Oak Tree Inn or Mocha Cafe for incredible food to eat in or take away. And yes, that means you can stock up before the next stretch of your walk!

Stress-free accommodation

Choosing to stay in a shepherd’s hut whilst you journey around the West Highland Way means you’ll be able to enjoy alfresco dining in a private, beautifully designed hut. It also allows you to really rest and recuperate before you continue on your walk. You won’t have to worry about muddying up a hotel room either.

Take all of the stress out of finding accommodation on the West Highland Way and just allow yourself to actually relax with a beautiful backdrop of the Scottish Highlands.

We would love to help make walking the West Highland Way a wonderful experience. Check out our shepherd’s huts and what’s included.

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Looking for dog-friendly holidays in Scotland? Loch Lomond Waterfront is the perfect place to enjoy a luxury break with your four-legged friends. To help you plan your activities, we are taking a look at some of the best things to do with dogs in the Loch Lomond area.

Dog-Friendly Accommodation

We have five dedicated lodges and chalets at Loch Lomond Waterfront that welcome guests and their dogs. Owners can enjoy the luxury facilities of our self-catering accommodation, while dogs will love running free, off the lead, in large parts of our secure 18-acre site. They can swim in the loch, run on the grass and snooze on the patio! Please see our dog-friendly accommodation page for full details. 

Local Walks with Dogs

Within our grounds, away from the direct vicinity of the lodges, your pets can run, swim, nap and play. But there are also several wonderful walks you can take together in the local area. We are based near the village of Balmaha, on the eastern shores of Loch Lomond, a beautiful spot for you to enjoy on holidays with dogs. Here are a couple of our favourite nearby walks:

Balmaha Millennium Forest – A 30-minute walk exploring the local village of Balmaha. 800 acres of Scots pine and other indigenous trees have been planted here, creating a lovely woodland area. The path climbs up to Craigie Fort and then back down Loch Lomond’s rocky edge.

Conic Hill – Conic Hill lies on the Highland Boundary Fault Line. This is quite a steep walk to the top of the hill and takes a couple of hours to complete. You and your dog should be reasonably fit to take this one on. From the summit, you can take in spectacular views of the surrounding areas.

West Highland Way – This is a long-distance route, stretching from Milngavie to Fort William. Stage 2 of the walk, from Dryman to Rowardennan, passes right through Balmaha. This stage is 23 km long and takes up to 7 hours to complete. But you only need to take on a small section of that to enjoy the stunning beauty of the West Highland Way.

For a full list of local walks, see the Walk The Highlands website and our own Walking and Hiking guide. However, be sure to check if your chosen route is suitable for dogs.

Local dog-friendly pubs and cafés

There are a number of places to eat and drink in our local area on your dog-friendly days out. Here are just a few:

The Oak Tree Inn and Mocha Cafe, just next door, offer delicious dining, cakes and coffee. Or you can pop along for a sumptuous breakfast, brunch or lunch. Plus they do takeaway, so you can also grab great food to enjoy on the go. Both offer dog-friendly dining areas.

The Clachan, Drymen – stop for a drink in the oldest registered licensed pub in Scotland. Dogs are welcome in the bar area.

The Cross Keys, Kippen – with the ancient city of Stirling just minutes away, the Cross Keys is the ideal place to stop off on route.

The Old Mill, Killearn – stop for a drink or bite to eat if you’re on route to Glasgow or Glengoyne Distillery, in this traditional old pub.

For a full list of dog-friendly pubs in the area, see the Dugs and Pubs website.

Respecting the local area and staying safe on dog-friendly holidays

At Loch Lomond Waterfront, we ask that you keep dogs on a lead in direct vicinity of the lodges. Please don’t leave pets unattended in your lodge, and please bag and dispose of mess responsibly.

Please also read the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs guide to respecting the park and staying safe and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code for dog walkers, for advice when out and about.

Book your dog-friendly break

So come and stay with us at Loch Lomond Waterfront for luxury dog-friendly holidays in Scotland. With so much to do with your dogs, both on the resort and in the surrounding area! Take a look at our dog-friendly lodges and chalets and book your break today!

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Here at Loch Lomond Waterfront, we welcome and admire Munro-baggers. Those hardy athleticos who try to scale all of Scotland’s peaks of 3000 feet or more. And that includes our own lofty height of Ben Lomond which is the southern-most Munro. But just in case your style is more a brisk stroll with your dog, taking in a few coffee shops on the way, here is a list of great Loch Lomond walks we have tried over the years.

And just next door, at the foot of Conich Hill we have the delightful restaurant, The Oak Tree Inn, and the amazing St Mocha Cafe for your enjoyment. Pop along for a sumptuous breakfast, brunch or lunch after a relaxing night in one of our walkers’ Sherpherd Huts. That’s if your not enjoying a luxury holiday on the banks of Loch Lomond in one of our giant lodges or beautiful chalets.

Duncryne Hill and House of Darrach

Duncryne Hill, known locally as The Dumpling, is only 430 feet high but affords stunning views over the loch. We think it is the best value view there is (ie. most view for least effort). Near the base is House of Darrach in Gartocharn, probably the classiest coffee shop and gift shop in the locality. 

Doon Hill and Aberfoyle Coffee Shops

Walk along the old railway track from Gartmore and stop at any of six or so coffee shops in the small town of Aberfoyle. Then turn towards Doon Hill to see the site where the local minister is reputed to have vanished into the Faerie Kingdom. Come down and take any of the numerous forest paths along the River Forth as it winds through The Queen Elizabeth Forest Park. 

Conic Hill and Balmaha Coffee Shop

Best to climb Conic Hill first, because the coffee shop is only a quarter mile from your lodge and it would be cheating to take a break too early in your walk. You can go all the way to the top or turn back towards the loch at the view point half way up. This path will take you to the loch side, through the oak woodlands and over Craigie Fort (a prehistoric petrified fort). Then return home via Balmaha for that coffee and cake.

Flanders Moss and Buchlyvie Coffee Shops

Park at Buchlyvie by the church and walk towards the line of the old Forth and Clyde railway. The Flanders Moss walk is on the level and the railway has been made into a walking route. You will come back to the village a different way and then return to the car via the Buchlyvie Pottery Coffee Shop or Flanders Rest Café, where they serve the best bacon rolls to be had anywhere I know (apart from The Woodhouse, but that’s another story).

More Loch Lomond Walks

If you’re looking for luxury accommodation on the east side of Loch Lomond, check out our 5-star lodges and chalets. And when it comes to places to walk near Loch Lomond, we have plenty of ideas and have put together some suggestions in our walking section here. If you need any advice during your stay, please just ask.

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