Mountain View Campsite and Retreat

When you’re deciding what’s on the itinerary for the day, the first question might be: the loch or the city? If it’s the latter you decide on, Glasgow (half an hour's drive) has theatres, historic Victorian and art nouveau architecture and museums. A day trip to hilly and historic Edinburgh (an hour and 35 minutes) is very achievable too. If instead the loch won your attention, make your way to Balloch (half an hour) on the southern end of Loch Lomond. It’s home to Balloch Castle & Country Park, where there’s gorgeous green parklands and Tudor Gothic architecture. Conic Hill (half an hour), further north, will provide a shorter uphill hike for those who don’t feel quite up to hiking Ben Lomond. There are other walks to choose from, of course. Blairskaith Linn (15 minutes), on the way to Glasgow, has some simply stunning bits to see, including an 1850s limestone mine and cave network and a waterfall.