PATHFINDERS LOCH LOMOND TRIP

Directions:

Head for Scotland. You will find Scotland north of Birmingham, in fact it is north of Manchester, moreover it is north of both Newcastle and Carlisle. The best route from the south is M6 then M74, unless you are coming from well over to the East. Basically you need to head for Glasgow. On approaching Glasgow follow the M74 and signs for the airport and Erskine Bridge – otherwise you will end up going through Glasgow City Centre.

From the Erskine Bridge follow signs for the A84 and Loch Lomond. The launching site is at the southern end of the loch, so take the road for Balloch, signed off the A84 to the right at the big roundabout – it is clear after you have crossed the little river, 5 miles after the Erskine Bridge. Then turn left at the new roundabout into the launching site – it has a trendy name for a visitor centre and looks as if you are going into a new estate! If I am able to get there in time I will put up some arrows for you lot, so look out for them.

You can register on site – it takes about 10 minutes. OR you can Register your boat beforehand by telephoning the Loch registration office on: 01389 757295 , or by writing to: Loch lomond Boat registration Office, Duncan Mills Memorial Slipway, Balloch Pier, Balloch. G83 8BF . No doubt you can also do it over the bloody computer, but I have no knowledge of this as I am a hi-tech reject. I expect the nice, Scottish Lassie who answers the telephone and sends out the registration papers will be able to tell you all about it.

The Registration numbers are of a regulation size and are applied to a black background, also of regulation size. The numbers kit costs £5 – or it least it did in the spring.

THEY DO NOT HAVE TO BE STUCK TO THE SIDE OF YOUR BOAT.

They DO have to be displayed in such a manner as to be visible from both sides of your boat – a completely different thing altogether. For those with a cabin you can simply affix the numbers to a black card and put it up inside the side windows. Or use their black background on card/plywood. Open boats use a piece of plywood the correct size and get a piece of 1” dowel (broom handle) about 6” long. Cut a groove in it for the plywood to glue into and then cover the bottom of it with a bit of foam pipe lagging or foam. It can now be lashed/cable tied to the engine hatch/fordeck/and ensign or jack staff thus complying with the regulations. The piece of dowel sticks out sideways stopping it from falling over.

Parking for car and trailer is available at the launch site – it was free in May of this year as was launching. There may now be a nominal charge, but we are going out of season, so I hope not. Alernatively remove cars/trailers to the Hotel for parking.

A “Guide to Navigation” is available at the launching office – it costs £1. This is not a chart, but it shows the main hazards. The rest are very close to shore so you should be looking overside anyway.

The Colquhuorn Arms Hotel is situated in the village of Luss, off the main road and just 2 minutes walk from the village pier where we moor overnight. It is about 5 miles from Balloch. Tel: 01436 860282. We have a special rate of £50 per double room per night

The pier provides free public mooring on a first come first served basis. There is deep water at the outer end, rising to about 2’ at the beach end. Fine to walk your boat into for mooring and to be compassionate to others.

Camping on the islands is free.

GEAR TO BRING

A mug each.

Plates and Eating Irons.

BBQ Food.

Gerry Cans for ferrying fuel – unless you have 120 miles range in your tank for the weekend.

Binoculars – plenty of wildlife to watch and points of interest.

Fishing gear if you are like us and have a sporting bent.

Wets! This will ensure we get tropical sunshine all weekend.

BBQ facilities – I shall bring a small portable and Rob Hill has a couple of disposables.

PROGRAMME

Friday:

Arrival, registration for those boats not pre-registered and launching. Park cars/trailers etc

Retire to Colquhuorn Arms for introductions and bar meal – suggest 19.30 – 20.00

Saturday.

Early up for Wallaby viewing. Back in time for breakfast.

10.00 away from pier for coffee in Horseshoe Bay. There is a jetty or bigger boats or anchor and be transferred or beach – white sand. The jetty is used by the ferry, so leave the very end clear and raft up.The Island has a lovely walk through the woods to the ancient cemetery at the top. Good wildlife watching too – Roe deer and birds galore.

11.30 head north via the eastern shore for Drovers Inn for lunch. Places to see/visiton the way are Rowardennan and Inver –something-or-other Hotel with its own harbour and waterfall. Good snifter stop this.The Drovers is up the river and how far we can get depends on the rainfall prior to us going. It should be fairly well up though. Boats with high air draught can get as far as the pipe across. Moor on the western bank and walk across the fields to the pub. Smaller/lower boats can get another 200 yards and saves walking half a field! Tie up to a tree and the grassy bank.

14.30 (ish) return to Luss/Islands for evening BBQ. If wet, bar meal at the hotel.

Sunday: Another opportunity to go and see the Wallabies that we didn’t see yesterday! The secret is stealth – loads of noise means you won’t see them. Sneak in silently and you will – no talking even within 300 yards of the island. Back in time for breakfast.

After breakfast, set off for coffee and shortbread on another island beach! Which one depends on the wind direction – there is always one in the lee. Head north, this time up the western shore. Visit the little island of Ivow – small beach with enclosed entrance so limited access, one boat at a time – find the dungeon in which Robert Bruce was imprisoned for two years. It is worth seeing and you can go down the stone steps into it.

Lunch at Ardlui – an opportunity for those who need it to refuel. The Ardlui staff will lend a hand if needed. Tour back south for afternoon tea in the hotel on the island of Inchconnachan. Recover boats and head home for those who are back at work on Monday – me!

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Simon Everett

Home: xxxxxxxxxxx

mobile: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Colquhourn Arms Hotel: 01436 860282

Balloch Slipway: 01389 757295

info@lochlomondtrossachs.org

www.lochlomond-trossachs.org

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Fuel is available only from shoreside filling stations. There is one in the town of Balloch and another at Ardlui. NONE is accessible from the water directly. All fuelling is done by gerry can – for ALL the boats on the loch. I would suggest fuelling at the Esso station on the left about 3 miles after the Erskine Bridge. You will see it as you drive along the dual carriageway. There are a couple of roundabouts and sets of lights on this road. On the opposite carriageway you will see a BP station in the distance. Having fuelled just go steady for the last 3-4 miles to the slipway. Alternatively there is a (Shell I think) petrol station in Balloch – but it has funny opening hours. If you are in time it could be open – the Esso is more reliable!

A good pair of binoculars is a very good idea as there is a wealth of wildlife about the place. Roe deer, red deer, otters and birds a plenty.

Anyone enjoy fishing? Loch Lomond is renowned for its pike. We shall probably bring a rod or two and some lures to have an hour or so, or even troll quietly up the rocky shoreline. The secret is to fish the 15’ contour on the drop off.