Historical & Heritage Sites
If you’re looking for historical places to visit during your stay at Loch Lomond Waterfront, check out these local heritage sites and attractions.
History of Loch Lomond
The history of Loch Lomond stretches back tens of thousands of years to the last ice age. Huge glaciers carved out a large gouge in the rocks below it, which filled with water and created the beautiful loch that we know today. There are around thirty islands on the loch, each of which adds to its overall beauty.
As a freshwater loch, it was a perfect place for settlers, who arrived around 5,000 years ago. Over the centuries, many cultures such as Romans, Picts, Britons and Scots have been part of its history. The Vikings were known to raid in the area, bringing terror to the many islands along the loch.
There are a couple of theories where the name Loch Lomond may have originated. Either from the Gaelic leamhan, meaning “Lake of Elms”, or from laom, meaning “Beacon”. Find out more in our Loch Lomond History blog post.
Since the 18th century, Loch Lomond has been an attractive travel destination, as exploring places of natural beauty and outdoor activities became popular pastimes. Samuel Johnson and his biographer James Boswell visited the islands of Loch Lomond in 1773, noting already how popular it was with visitors. Tourists still flock here every year to take in the rich history, great attractions and magnificent scenery. It’s easy to imagine how little the scenery has changed even after all these years.
Historical places to visit around Loch Lomond
We have several fascinating villages, towns and cities around Loch Lomond, some dating back to the very first settlers in the area. For example, Balmaha, the closest village to our resort, where evidence of early civilisations has been found from the Neolithic era.
Many historical figures lived here or visited the area and there are lots of local stories and legends. They include the likes of famous Rob Roy MacGregor, the outlaw who later became a folk hero. There’s also Robert the Bruce and William Wallace, who fought to reclaim Scotland’s independence from England. And also Mary Queen of Scots, a beloved queen about which many books have been written.
If you’d like to know more about our local history, just ask us during your stay. We love to chat about this wonderful area and can help you to plan your adventures.
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