Wherever you are in the Cameron House Hotel, you cannot help but notice the boats of all sizes enjoying the loch, and so we decided to join one of the daily cruises.  The skipper of the Astina was very knowledgeable and entertaining and I sensed we were in for a good trip around a few of the thirty-eight islands.  We headed north away from the ‘busy’ end, past the famous Loch Lomond Golf Club and some of the larger islands and up to Tarbet where history has it noted that Viking raiders would drag their longships overland from the sea-lochs to the west.  Turning back south we saw the cave where Rob Roy is reputed to have hidden (he was often in hiding from the law!)  This is MacGregor country and there are many links to the infamous outlaw around the loch.  The clan burial place lies on the island of Inchcailloch.

Our lunch stop was at the tiny (but very busy) village of Luss; with its sandy beaches, narrow lanes of tiny cottages and flowers everywhere, it’s a step back in time.  There is a small sea-plane based there and we were just leaving as it flew in; an impressive sight below the mountain of Ben Lomond.  The plane is apparently popular with golfers, as it can take them and their clubs to courses that are our hours away by road.  Our return journey took in the larger islands, each with a story to tell and lots of rumours too.  We didn’t see the wallabies on Inchconnachan, hear the ghostly bell on Inchtavannach, or catch sight of any nudists on Inchmurrin…but who could doubt that they are there?

By Yvonne Shaw.  Yvonne has been with PerryGolf for over 10 years and is a member of the admin team.