East Loch Lomond villages
On the east side of the loch, motorists should stop at Rowardennan. (To be honest – you have to. It’s where the road ends.) There's parking, camping and accommodation including a youth hostel and hotel – plus a lot of folk putting their boots on and setting off for a walk – Loch Lomond looks tempting, while the West Highland Way carries on north. The Way also goes on through Inversnaid, another way of reaching the east side of Loch Lomond by road.
On this east-side road to and from Rowardennan, there are plenty of picnic places and stopping-off points, including Sallochy (look for the parking sign) with its choice of woodland walks. Further south is Balamaha with its boatyard offering cruises and trips. Climb Conic Hill from here via the West Highland Way for a superb view across the Loch Lomond islands. Buchanan Smithy and Milton of Buchanan are little settlements between Balmaha and the larger community of Drymen. There is a good choice of accommodation in the area, with further shops, pubs and cafes in Drymen.
Also within easy distance of Loch Lomond are communities such as Gartocharn, with stunning views from Duncryne Hill, just behind it, and, further east, Balfron and Killearn. These are attractive communities on the edge of the Campsie Hills, and good touring centres with accommodation choice.
