Loch Lomond

Loch Lomond is a popular destination for people from Glasgow and the surrounding areas. A beautiful lake and a large national park invite outdoor sports around the water. Therefore, we also unpacked our bikes and hiking shoes.

First, we rode along the River Leven on the bike path towards Dumbarton, a small town south of Balloch.

The ride was pleasant, but we were somewhat surprised by the condition of some houses and the infrastructure, especially the visible poverty of some residents who were collecting recyclables from the trash bins in the town.

A few meters away on the other side of the river was a stark contrast. A beautiful, well-kept park invited us to linger, and preparations were in full swing for a bagpipe competition. Refreshed, we then headed back to Balloch for dinner.

Speaking of food. We could recall from earlier that prices in GB were significantly higher than those in Austria. That is no longer the case. Grocery shopping is at least as expensive, if not cheaper. A visit to a restaurant is comparable. Only petrol/diesel costs about 20 cents more. Campsites are generally cheaper than in Austria, around 40-50 euros per night for four people.

The menus are still quite adventurous. You can find Indian curry next to Mexican tacos, along with traditional dishes like fish & chips or pizza. But so far, we have eaten well, albeit with a lot of fried food.

The next day, we continued to Balmaha, the starting point for nice hikes to the surrounding islands and hills.

Since we had hardly seen any tourists until now, we finally knew where they had all been hiding. Well, it was Saturday, too. In any case, it was quite busy here by Scottish standards, and we had to drive around a few times to find a parking spot.

The subsequent short boat ride and the island hike were definitely worth it.

Today we continue by ferry from Oban to the Outer Hebrides. We start in the very south on the island of Barra.