| Distance | 12.5km; 1100ft of climbing |
| Time | 3 hrs 15 mins |
| Difficulty | Easy/moderate |
| Good for | Shoreline glimpses of the Highlands |
Today was a day skirting the shoreline of Loch Lomond, occasionally going up the odd bump, and predominantly being in the forest rather than having views over the loch.
This picture is taken shortly after leaving Balmaha on the top of the first bump, that of Craigie Fort. Looking north the visible peak is of Ptarmigan, with Ben Lomond (I think) to its right obscured by cloud.
After descending Craigie Fort, the path along the loch was largely in woodland. A typical view was one such as this…
Reaching a clearing after a couple of kilometres, there was a chance to see the loch at Milarrochy. After snatching a glance of ‘things to do in east Loch Lomond’ in the last hotel, I recognised this oak tree as being one such ‘thing to do’ – the (not so) famous ‘Tree of Milarrochy’. It’s better seen at sunset since the picture is taken due west.
Back into the woodland, the views become obscured again. The forest is quite dense in places but as the path traversed towards Rowardennan, the trees thinned in places and a brief sight of Ptarmigan in the distance was possible.
Onwards, and at another brief intersection with the shoreline, a view of Beinn Bhreac on the opposite shore was possible.
Finally reaching Rowardennan and a larger clearing, Ben Lomond finally came into view. Ben Lomond to the right, almost looks the same height as Ptarmigan, even though Ptarmigan (at 731m) is 243m lower than Ben Lomond (974m).
View of the day though is the view from my bedroom window of my overnight stay in Rowardennan. Looking north up Loch Lomond this is towards what I believe to be Ben Vorlich. The climbs and Munros of the days ahead are beginning to look ominous.
Life Two 