Tour Part 2 Rossdhu and Luss Area
Gallows Hill and The Clan Colquhoun Gathering Place
Rossdhu
Camstradden House
Luss Highland Games
Town of Luss
6th
site
GallowsHill and Cnoe Klachan - The Clan Colquhoun Gathering Place
Where Colquhoun carried out capital punishment and gathered
"Two banks of natural mounds were the Courthill and Gallowshill for the clan Colquhoun. These were the spots where the chieftains of the clan tried and executed the sentences of capital punishment. John Colquhoun, the 1st Bart. of Luss and Tilliquhoun, remembered the identical tree on which the executions took place, but it was very much decayed, and was unfortunately removed. The original Scotch Fir tree stood a few feet from the one on the top of the bank. A volume once housed at Rossdhu has the records of " The Court of the lands and Barony of Luss," in folio, and of considerable thickness, but the minutes fill only about 163 pages. The first minute is dated at Luss, 7th October 1663, and the last at Arnburn, 27th and 28th December 1792. The current cottage dates from the early 18th Century."
Just north of this Gallowshill is the place of rendezvous of the Clan with the slogan or war cry of Cnoe Klachan (which means the knoll of the sauch – a species of willow or Hill of the Black Willow). This is where the clan would gather when called to meet to defend their land and people.
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"When the Colquhouns went to war, their Chief dipped a charred wooden cross in goat’s blood, and sent this Fiery Cross by relays throughout the entire district of Luss: the bearer, usually mounted on a Garron pony, shouting out the name of the gathering-place as he passed. The Colquhoun muster-place was usually at Cnoc Elachan, still the clan “slogan”, the “armory hillock” near Rossdhu. Here the armed clansmen assembled, many coming by boat as the quickest transport in those road-less days, others by hill tracks, and were issued with arms if they had none and with badges of hazel, the lucky plant of their clan, to wear in their bonnets."
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According to William Fraser, "Cnoc Elachan was used for self-defence — for warding off the attacks of hostile neighboring clans, rather than for aggression. Partaking more of the peaceful habits of the Lowlanders on the south than of the wilder spirits of the mountaineers on the north, the Colquhouns were more inclined to live on amicable terms with their neighbors than many of the other clans, and appear to have taken no part in making predatory incursions upon the Lowlands. From their local position they formed, as it were, a wall or barrier between the marauders of Arrochar on the north, and the industrious populations on the south, and this contributed in no small degree to the peace and civilization of the western districts of Scotland."
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To reach Gallow Hill head north on the A82 towards Crianlarich. From the Stoneymollen round about at Balloch continue north and follow signs for Crianlarich. From the Arden round about continue north for approx. 1.5 miles passing (on your left) the turnoff to Helensburgh on the B832. Half a mile past this turn off Gallowshill is set back from the road on your left. Gallowshill Cottage is next to the hill four miles south of Luss on A82. See "Maps of Sites" for more location details.
"Black Promontory"
Rossdhu
7th Site
Situated near Luss, on Loch Lomond, the story of Rossdhu reaches far back through the centuries to the family of Maldouen first of Luss. He was granted the barony of Luss by Alwyn, Earl of Lennox in a charter dated 1150 AD.
Elan Rossdhu small island in the bay west of the Rossdhu House, Castle wall and boat house. The remains of a substantial square building with mortared masonry are present on the crannog and it is likely these are the remains of the castle reputed to have stood on the island prior to the construction of the now-ruined Rossdhu Castle on the mainland. It is likely the ruins on Elan Rossdhu are the remains of the first castle of the Lairds of Luss.
Rossdhu Castle is thought to have been built as a replacement for Elan-Rossdhu Castle, which stands on a crannog just off the shoreline.
The date the Rossdhu Castle was erected is not certain, but in a charter dated the 2nd of February, 1457, there is no mention of the tower house or fortalice, but Fraser asserts that the castle long pre-dates the charter. The charter granted by King James II to Sir John Colquhoun, Chamberlain of Scotland, erected the lands of Luss and others into the barony of Luss. Later charters of 1541 and 1602, however, made special mention of the tower, castle, and fortalice of Rossdhu. The castle is stated to be the main dwelling place of the united barony, first as a fortress and then as a family home. It was built in the typical square keep style of the time, with walls that were around 40 feet high and eight feet thick. Mary, Queen of Scots visited the castle on two occasions and the Marquis of Montrose also stayed there as a boy as his sister was married to Sir John Colquhoun. Sir Walter Scott was also a visitor of Rossdhu. Some of the stone used to build Rossdhu House came from the original castle and now all that is left is the south wall located at hole 18.
The new mansion, Rossdhu House, was constructed in the 18th century and Sir James Colquhoun and the Lady Helen Sutherland, his wife, moved into it in 1773. The house was constructed in brick in the square Georgian shape quite close to the old castle. The house was a two-story building with six windows on the front which faces east. There were additions made to the house in the early 19th century. A pedimented portico was added, which was supported by two giant Tuscan columns and the wings were added by Sir James Colquhoun 27th of Luss, about 1817." The house is said to be haunted by the bogle of Lady Helen. She was very house proud in life, and her ghost reputedly returns to watch over the house she loved. The spirit has been most often reported in the staff quarters.
The original castle was very much a fortress and stronghold against the clan feuds which raged over the next century or so. Later the Castle was occupied twice by the Cromwellian forces, and it was not until the early 18th century that life in these parts became sufficiently settled to warrant creating a less fortified home.
Rossdhu has long formed part of the Luss Estates and was the home of Sir Ivar and Lady Kay Colquhoun until the early 1990s. In need of work, the property was leased to the Loch Lomond Golf Club in 1993. The club was responsible for arresting subsidence, extending the house to the rear and a complete restoration, which involved considerable changes to the interior. The bedroom and basement floors have been substantially altered to meet the needs of the golf club, while the principal rooms are structurally the same. The personal functions of the former family home have been swept away, with the Boxing Room and 'Moor and Loch' Room gone. The Chinese Drawing Room, once decorated with hand-painted silk wall coverings, is now the Library; the former Library now forms a Cocktail Lounge and a Wine Room now forms an entrance to the Dining Room. The house still contains some of the Colquhoun's fine furniture and paintings.
To the west of the mansion house lie the remains of the former castle, the Chapel, the Ice House, the old laundry/gazebo and the boathouse.
The Chapel
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The private chapel of St. Mary of Rossdhu. The chapel was called “The Chapel of St Mary or Our Lady's Chapel of Rosdew.” The walls may be part of the original medieval church.
“A ruin of a quadrangular shape 30 feet long and 17 in breadth. The walls the whole of which remain are about 10 feet in height and two in thickness. The Origines Parochialis states it to have been built in 1107, and had the roof destroyed by fire in the 16th Century. It is now in the same state as when it was destroyed, and is used as the burying place of the family of Colquhoun.”
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The exact date of the building of the Chapel is not known, but has been suggested by some (see above) as early as 1107. The chapel is situated a few yards north east of the old Rossdhu Castle wall or “Tower” and a few yards north west of the Rossdhu House or now the Gold Club. It was probably used as a place of worship by the Barons of Luss for themselves and their dependents who lived at and around Rossdhu. Originally there apparently was a small room where the resident priest might have slept.
The chapel was in a state of ruin for many years. Sir William Fraser in 1869 remarked "The walls are in good condition but the roof has long since disappeared. Below the stone floor of the chapel is the burying place of the family of Colquhoun of Luss. The inscriptions on the coffins are the only monumental records of the persons interred in the chapel."
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It was this chapel that the 15th century Book of Hours once belonged. One of the many treasures of the Grey Collection at Auckland City Libraries is the Rossdhu book of hours, an illuminated prayer book made in Bruges, Belgium, around 1475. Its first owner was Elizabeth Dunbar, Countess of Moray, who lived at Rossdhu in Scotland. George Grey purchased the volume from London booksellers Thomas and William Boone in 1863 and donated it to the Auckland Library in 1887. The book of hours is a Christian devotional book popular in the Middle Ages. It is the most common type of surviving medieval illuminated manuscript. Like every manuscript, each manuscript book of hours is unique in one way or another, but most contain a similar collection of texts, prayers and psalms, often with appropriate decorations, for Christian devotion. Illumination or decoration is minimal in many examples, often restricted to decorated capital letters at the start of psalms and other prayers, but books made for wealthy patrons may be extremely lavish, with full-page miniatures. These illustrations would combine picturesque scenes of country life with sacred images. Books of hours were usually written in Latin (the Latin name for them is horae), although there are many entirely or partially written in vernacular European languages, especially Dutch. The English term primer is usually now reserved for those books written in English.
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Since the property fell under the lease of the Loch Lomond Golf Club, the chapel has undergone some preservation work, and the building has been roofed in slates. The memorials have been cleaned so it is possible to read some of the stones. The club has also spent millions of pounds on returning the Rossdhu House and surrounding area to its former glory.
Ice House
Late 18th century domed structure built into small mound to the north of the chapel. Finely dressed stone on the facing to entrance on the north side with the structure covered by earth. Ventilation opening on east side at ground level on dome. Now barred door at lower level on the north side with a outer steel door and a inner door deep-set.
Boat House
Deer Park
The Park of Rossdhu is mentioned in 1458. (In this context, a park was an enclosed game reserve surrounded by a ditch and bank, on top of which was a palisade) It is south of Rossdhu House.
The old laundry, coach-house, and dairy buildings were converted to house guests, and several new buildings were erected in a style in-keeping with the older buildings.
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How to get there...
The Loch Lomond Golf Club is a private club and they do have guards at both the main and north gates and have turned away many whom have requested access. I made a request for access in writing to take few photos and was denied, others have approached the front gate and have been turned away. And thanks to The Land Reform (Scotland) Act of 2003 that established the right of responsible access to most land and inland water – and includes private and public golf courses. (I was told by the Policy & Advise Officer, “Golf courses [whether they are public or private] are not on the list of excluded settings, so access rights apply.") However, someone forgot to tell the Loch Lomond Golf Club. If you call or just show up at the gate you will most likely be turned away. Do NOT believe either the Golf Club or the Clan if they say there is no access to the grounds.
The main gates of Rossdhu can be seen along A82. Stop and take a photo – but do not enter here. Instead go north along A82 past the main gate and to the next road on the right. This is the old military road and instead of going north head south (turn right) until you get to the “back gate.”
North Entrance and park outside the gate and follow the walking path to the right of the gate. Follow it south outside of the wall along the path about 30 yards and look for a gate in the wall on the left. (See photo) Enter the gate where you will find the rock with sign "Public Access to Rossdhu" and then walk along the road heading south and then east and eventually north until you reach Rossdhu House. As you get closer you can see the Castle wall to the west of Rossdhu House and the chapel is behind both. This access does not allow you to drive in – you must walk – about 15-20 minutes (depending on your pace) to the Castle Wall and House. While you are legally in your right to have access, please be considerate of the golfers (who pay a lot of money for the experience) and the grounds. Stay on the paths and if you have a large group, please spread it out or have one small group go and then another. Consider leaving pets at home – no unleashed dogs. This does not give you access to the private Golf Club house (Rossdhu House).
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8th
Site
Camstradden House
Clan Chief current residence
Ever wonder where the clan chief, Sir Malcolm Colquhoun, and his wife Lady Colquhoun live? Malcolm was born on the kitchen table at Camstradden House in 1947, but lived in Rossdhu until 1986 “when the rain started coming through the roof.” Later they leased the dilapidated Rossdhu and surrounding estate to the Loch Lomond Golf Club.
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The original home of the Colquhouns of Camstaddan, a branch of the family descended from the second son of the "Fair Maid of Luss". The tower of Camstraddan and home has long since disappeared, and has been replaced by a more modern mansion built in 1739. An addition to the old tower is mentioned in 1684. Whether the original tower occupied the same site as the present mansion, or is the one referred to by Camden on an island in the bay, is unknown. In 1963 it was noted, “No trace of the tower or any older building could be seen in the present Camstradden House.” It is commonly believed that the ancient Camstradden Castle sat on the site of the current house.
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The Laird of Luss purchased this estate from the Camstraddan family in 1826 and the property became a part of the Luss estate.
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This is the chieftain private residence - unless you have an appointment, please do not bother them. I have been told that Sir Malcolm, while extremely shy, is very approachable and does welcome meeting with clan members if he is available. Please check with the Clan organization for his availability.
9th
Site
Luss Highland Games
Began 1875
Sir James Colquhoun initiated the Luss Highland Games in 1875, it has been held annually since, except for a break during the two World Wars, a few years when the steam ships refused to stop at Luss, and finally a pause during a worldwide pandemic of 2020-21.
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The Luss Highland games really owes its inception to the enthusiasm of local farmers and sportsmen, all of which were member of the Luss Company of Dunbartonshire Volunteers. This Company, clad in the Colquhoun tartan, and commanded by Geordie Colquhoun (Shemore), was a very popular and efficient unit of the battalion. The first Saturday in September was selected for the date, and the games proved to be a great success. Apparently, the presence of the noted athlete, J. Fleming, who won all the open heavy events, added greatly to the interest of the day.
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The Gathering was held for three years in the field north of the River Luss, but as it became more popular, the site was changed to the larger field on the south side, where it is held today. A more beautiful or romantic location for Highland Gathering could hardly have been chosen; the River Luss bounds one side with Loch Lomond in the background whilst the wooded area of Camstradden and finally the rugged Luss Hills (up which the shepherds scramble in their annual race), some believe it is the most picturesque – perhaps the most picturesque settings for any Highland Games throughout Scotland.
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A feature of those first few Gatherings was the luncheon to which the chief, Sir James Colquhoun, entertained his clansmen and their friends. On the death of Sir James, the post of chieftain was taken over by Sir Alan Colquhoun, who took a warm interest in the Annual Gathering.
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The year 1896 was a wet one in the annals of the Gathering, for when the great day arrived a perfect torrent descended. At eleven a.m. the ground was flooded and there were two feet of water round the pavilions. “The sports were abandoned and a spirited argument ensued with the competitors, who demanded their money back. A man was seen escaping from beneath the luncheon tent with a large boiled salmon under his arm. On being challenged by the police, he explained he had killed it with a stick under the grandstand.”
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Early on the Gathering was for local farmers and shepherds from the surrounding glens. They would gather to Luss by foot, or on horseback, and in farm carts or in carriages drawn by horses. “On arrival at the ground all vehicles were parked in a circle round the roped enclosure, therefore, the occupants had a comfortable seat and a good view of the sports field.” Prices of admission were charged on a basis of so much for a two-horse and so much for a four-horse machine. One incident when a four-horse machine from an outlying area stopped before reaching the ground, unyoked two horses, and attempted to enter the ground at the lower price.
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The old minute books and records referring to the Luss Gathering have unfortunately been lost.
For some time, the Games were held on the first Wednesday of the Glasgow Fair in July, but in the last few years they have moved to the previous Sunday, so as to immediately follow the Balloch Games, which are held on Glasgow Fair Saturday.
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There have been some changes over the years. Competitions in the skills of knitted socks and making shepherds crooks and have been dropped, but the traditional events of Tossing the Caber, Throwing the Hammer, Hill Races, Scottish Backhold (wrestling) and many more continue as always. And of course, that includes the traditional sound of the pipes and Highland Dancers of a variety of ages. A military band usually attended and there were even gymnastics performed for a few years. A disappearing art also occurred with competition in Gaelic singing.
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The Loch Lomond steamboats are the main means of transit to and from Luss. In 1912 they refused to run special steamers for the Gathering unless a large number of passengers were guaranteed. The Committee could not agree to this demand, and the Gathering was suspended from 1912 until 1921, having run continuously for thirty-six years.
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They saw an increase of interest with one year over four thousand attending.
In 1924 the Games featured a tug-of-war in which a team of eight Colquhouns, all from the parish of Luss, headed by their chief were only defeated in the final by a highly trained team from Arden. (see photo)
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Archie Cameron from Glen Luss competed in many races for over thirty years, and in 1925 won the hill race when over sixty. (See photo)
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The Luss Highland Games in 2008, when it was almost cancelled due to a car accident. Traffic was diverted away from the village for seven hours on that Sunday morning. Many of the diverted cars contained top athletes who were expected to take part in the Games, meaning that the start of the competitions was delayed. The games secretary said, “At one point we thought we may have to cancel the whole thing. Luckily the majority of the athletes had arrived by 12.30pm.” The athletes included, Former British Heavyweight Champion, Bernie McKinley from Dumbarton, and a 29-year-old nurse who successfully defended her title as Britain’s Strongest Woman in the heavyweight event.
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In 2019, the games received a grant of almost £3,500 from the Scottish Clan Event Fund. Most of the other clans in the area received more cash. £5,000 was awarded to the International Clan MacDougall Gathering and £4,600 for the Clan Ewing.
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How to get there…
The field is located along the old military road that runs parallel, but is east of, A82 and is the field just south of Luss and north of Camstradden House.
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GPS coordinates: 56.097337, -4.641234
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I have been to a number of American Highland Games – but not the one in Luss. I would love to attend, but my visits to the area never coincided with the dates in July. In years past, there has been a Colquhoun gathering in conjunction with the games. They have visited sites as a group and has included some sort of reception at the Rossdhu House or Camstradden House. It could be the only time you might see inside.
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10th
Site
Town of Luss
The Dark Village
Luss will be familiar to anyone who has seen the British TV Soap opera produce by Scottish television "Take the High Road". Many of the cottages that distinguish Luss were originally erected to house workers in the cotton mill and slate quarries of the 18th and 19th centuries. The homes have been fully restored and Luss has been designated a "Conservation Village".
On early records the village was known as Clachan Dubh, (the dark village) because of its mountain setting, giving two hours less sunlight in the evenings, particularly in the winter time.
"The name Luss is considered by some to be derived from the Gaelic "Lus", a plant, although others have suggested that it comes from the French "Luce", a lily. Several stories exist about the derivation of the present name. One related to that of the Baroness MacAuslin, who died in France, whilst her husband was fighting at the siege of Tournay. Her body was brought back to Luss covered with flowers, especially the fleur-de luce. Some of the flowers grew to the surface of the grave "and became miraculously efficacious in staying a pestilence then raging through the countryside".
"It is uncertain how long there has been a village at Luss, certainly a thousand years, possibly much more. Haakon of Norway undoubtedly passed through Luss in 1263. His Vikings dragged their ships over land about two miles from Arrochar to Tarbet, plundering the communities of the Islands and Loch-side. Only tantalizing clues remain, like the 11th Century Viking Hog-backed gravestone now in the churchyard (at least one Viking never made it home)."
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"A settlement probably developed at the head of the glen more than two thousand years ago. Luss has changed dramatically over the centuries. Before the present cottages were built, the old style "But and Ben" (literally "Out and In") was used, which was in a similar style to the backhouses of the West and Islands. The traditional building technique had changed little since the Viking times. James Denholm, in 1804 , describes this early form of house in Luss, "…the houses, in general, appear exceeding uncomfortable. They are mostly built of loose stones, perhaps with a layer of turf betwixt each row are covered with rushes; the produce of the Loch. They are likewise very low and the door, before which is a thick layer of fern, so difficult to access that a person must stoop considerably before he can enter. The interior in general corresponds to their outward appearance, being dark and often full of smoke which is discharged as plentiful out of the window and the door as the ordinary aperture."
"Saint Kessog brought Christianity to Luss at some uncertain date in the 'Dark Ages'. A number of early medieval and medieval monuments survive in the present churchyard, including simple cross-slabs which may date to as early as the 7th century AD. He was an Irish missionary of the early sixth century. Son of the king of Cashel in Ireland, Kessog is said to have worked miracles, even as a child. He left Ireland and became a missionary bishop in Scotland. Using Monks' Island in Loch Lomond as his headquarters, he evangelized the surrounding area until he was martyred, supposedly at Bandry, where a heap of stones was known as Saint Kessog's Cairn. The Saint McKessog's kirk (now Luss Parish Church) on the banks of Loch Lomond is named after Kessog. It was thought for years that the effigy that can be found in the church was of the saint. Kessog is claimed to have brought Christianity to the area around Luss in 510 AD and 1500 years of continuous Christian presence in the area was celebrated in 2010. However, the effigy is actually of Bishop Robert Colquhoun who lived during the 15th century. He was a minister of Luss in 1470 and went on to become Bishop of Argyll. The effigy was found in 1750 in the Cairn of St. Kessog. There is a Stain glass window in the Luss Church Dedicated to Colquhoun. Also, in the Laird's loft of the church is one of the finest collections of Hatchments in Scotland. These beautifully restored funeral boards display the arms of the deceased Chief or his wife. They were hung outside the home of the Chief for a period of morning. It is possible to learn from the painted background of the crested board which of the couple had died and their status at the time of death."
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Shore Cottage and Status of New Heritage Center and Museum
Location: Latitude: 56.1008 Longitude: -4.6361
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I visited the Shore Cottage in Luss for the first time in 2012. It is the oldest dwelling in the village. Those involved with the Clan museum had battled with rising water.
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The cottage itself is early to mid-19th century. A single story, 3-bay, rectangular-plan cottage with white-washed rubble and a graded grey slate roof. The windows were six-pane and top-hopper cast-iron. As the name suggests, it lays right at the shore of Loch Lomond – thus the water/flooding issues. Shore cottage is a listed historical building and cannot be altered, the flooding is the rising water table under the floor as well through the door. Unfortunately, they are not allowed to put a sound floor in the cottage so the problem continues.
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When the museum at the Shore Cottage was finally closed in 2015, plans were already in place for a new Museum and Heritage Center. It would seem like a wise move since in a normal year over 750,000 people visit the small village of Luss. As pointed out to me, most of those visitors are from tour busses that are passing through and it is the bathroom and stretch your legs stop of an hour or less.
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The application for the new Museum was submitted in 2018. However, lack of funding seems to have killed it. Financing from United States sources never materialized and Clan’s International Society “stopped communicating” and thus no more funding was provided. Those that had previously funded it stopped and it appears that the Clan Heritage Center is dead. The interest in the new museum passed and the sustaining interest and support waned. It is really too bad because I enjoyed my visit with those that donated their time.
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“The Clan Shop” which took over the Shore Cottage was open from 2016 – 2019 with the last entry on the Facebook page stating, “Unfortunately we have decided not to reopen The Clan Shop in 2020.” My guess is that under the pandemic circumstances, they have not opened in 2021.
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I have been told by the clan historian that the Clan Colquhoun Museum at the Shore Cottage was the last clan museum in the area to close its doors.
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Luss - walk the village
Spend some quality time in Luss. Take a walk along the shore of Loch Lomond, check out the church and Viking grave and walk the streets of this beautiful village. Be sure to get something to eat – possibilities in 2016 include Coachhouse Coffee Shop, Loch Lomond Arms Hotel (formally Colquhoun Arms Hotel) or the Village Rest.
"In 1715, supposedly as part of the Jacobite rising of that year, the McGregors, led by Rob Roy, twice raided Luss. The first time was as part of the Loch Lomond Expedition in October 1715, but they returned in December when they attacked Rossdhu, and even robbed the parish minister, who would have certainly have been anti-Jacobite, but much more importantly, in possession of some funds. That was the last hurrah of McGregor attacks on Luss and the lands of Colquhoun, although no doubt petty thieving continued."
"Because sheep replaced people in Glen Luss (See Ram's Head Bridge - Black faced sheep on Tour Part 3), the Colquhouns recognized their responsibilities - in 1776 they laid out Helensburgh (see Tour Part 3), where they started a textile works to employ former tenants, and in 1790 a cotton mill was opened in Luss itself. Also, nature stepped in to help, with the opening of Luss Slate quarries in the 1770's / 80's to provide slates for the roofs of the burgeoning central belt towns. The quarries had closed by the 1930's, but there are still many houses in the Vale with Luss slates on their roofs."
"Ironically perhaps, when Dorothy Wordsworth (English Author and poet) and her brother William Wordsworth, passed through Luss in 1803, on her tour to the Trossachs, it was the first place in Scotland where she saw turfed roof buildings, and with people on the road wearing kilts." I strolled the streets in my Colquhoun Kilt and an elderly lady attending to her yard, notice the tartan and said, "you must be a Colquhoun."
"The roads and houses, which now constitute the very picturesque village of Luss, were nearly all built in the early 1800's by Colquhoun of Luss, to house the workers in the mill and the quarries. The old houses were largely renovated in the early 1990's with the official re-opening in 1992. The pier at Luss was built about 1845. If you have time, you might consider a Loch Lomond cruise and sail through the island jewels in the Loch Lomond crown ~ Inch Fraoch, Inchtavannach, Inch-connachan, Inch-cruin, Inch-fad, Inch-murrin and Inch-cailloch. Enjoy the serenity of the ‘bonnie banks’ whilst listening to a live & informative commentary on the clans, the wildlife and the wallabies!"
"The present-day Luss Estate extends from the Arden roundabout to the south to Tarbet in the north, but it is substantially less than it was in Sir Ian’s day. He was forced to sell off 30,000 acres due to death duties. The village of Luss is central to the clan, being home to the Clan Museum until it closed recently, the Loch Lomond Arms Hotel and the village shop, all of which are part of Sir Malcolm’s plans to create employment and economic opportunity. As Sir Malcolm put it, “Big estates like this need to adapt in order to survive.”
Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond represents the meeting point of the Highlands and Lowlands of Scotland. The area is a haven for wildlife. More than a quarter of Britain’s plant species thrive here plus a wide array of birds and mammals.
There is much to appeal to a wide range of visitors with activities including hiking, cycling, fishing, boating, photography and swimming (in summer).
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