Inversnaid on Loch Lomond and Inversnaid Hostel

Inversnaid is barely a village - or even a hamlet but is a worthwhile day trip destination for the views from the pier and for the scenery on the way here whether you drive the long way round or take the short-cut on the ferry from the west shore. If planning to use the ferry, check with the Inversnaid Hotel which operates the ferry. (Inversnaid Hotel - 01877 386223, Inversnaid to Inveruglas, March to December, Daily sailings at 8.30 am and 5.00 pm (usually to ferry guests to and from the Hotel).

For walkers on the West Highland Way there is the Inversnaid hostel a little way from the loch.

For me, the greatest thing about Inversnaid is the journey by car on the 'overland' route. The most scenic part of the journey starts at Aberfoyle where you follow the B829 road for about 15 miles - of mostly single track road (at least very narrow if not single track all the way). The road passes through the old village of Milton then follows the shore of Loch Ard to Kinlochard where there is a tearoom, a shop and a watersport centre. The road then continues by Loch Chon where there are lovely picnic spots by the water before rising to a high point near Loch Arklet where the views to the hills in the west beyond Loch Lomond (the Arrochar Alps) are amongst the most dramatic in Scotland. The road eventually comes to a T junction where a left turn takes you by the shore of Loch Arklet before finally descending steeply to the lochside at Inversnaid.

At Inversnaid you will find the Inversnaid Hotel, a large car park and public toilets. From the car park the far shore of Loch Lomond and the mountains beyond are clearly visible. The ferry pier is just below the car park.

The West Highland Way long distance footpath passes along the shore of the loch at Inversnaid. You can explore a little way on the footpath without comitting yourself to a very long walk but you have to return by the same path.

A little way south of the hotel some steps lead down to a bridge over a peaceful pool where a waterfall cascades below the bridge - a delight for photographers.

The path north may be followed to find a sign pointing to 'Rob Roy's Cave' - more of a hollow in the rocks in a boulder field than a cave.