Balmaha is a village in the county of Stirlingshire and Clackmannanshire in central Scotland. It's the only village along the scenic east bank of Loch Lomond. A minor road continues north of Balmaha for 7 miles to dead-end at Rowardennan, and facilities along the road are also described on this page. The main reason to come here is to explore the east side of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, especially to climb Ben Lomond, walk the West Highland Way, and to get out onto the loch.
- Milarrochy Bay. A bay on Loch Lomond.
- The Tom Weir Statue on Main Street opposite the Bunkhouse commemorates the Scottish climber, author and broadcaster Tom Weir (1914-2006). It's often adorned with strange hats.
- Inchcailloch. is the wooded island in Loch Lomond just 200 yards off Balmaha. There are walking trails, and in early summer the woods are carpetted with bluebells. Its name means "Isle of the Cowled Woman", probably referring to Saint Kentigerna (d 734) who may have founded a nunnery here; the ruined church is named for her. (She's not to be confused with the earlier Saint Kentigern or Mungo, founder of the city of Glasgow.) There's a basic campsite at Port Bawn at the south end of the island, open March-Sept, but there's no water supply on the island and no trash collection. Little boats ply to Inchcailloch on demand from Balmaha, adult £5 return. Water buses also run from Luss April-Oct four times a day; some continue to Balmaha but their timetables don't enable a day-trip from there.
Milarrochy Bay. A bay on Loch Lomond.
The Tom Weir Statue on Main Street opposite the Bunkhouse commemorates the Scottish climber, author and broadcaster Tom Weir (1914-2006). It's often adorned with strange hats.
Inchcailloch. is the wooded island in Loch Lomond just 200 yards off Balmaha. There are walking trails, and in early summer the woods are carpetted with bluebells. Its name means "Isle of the Cowled Woman", probably referring to Saint Kentigerna (d 734) who may have founded a nunnery here; the ruined church is named for her. (She's not to be confused with the earlier Saint Kentigern or Mungo, founder of the city of Glasgow.) There's a basic campsite at Port Bawn at the south end of the island, open March-Sept, but there's no water supply on the island and no trash collection. Little boats ply to Inchcailloch on demand from Balmaha, adult £5 return. Water buses also run from Luss April-Oct four times a day; some continue to Balmaha but their timetables don't enable a day-trip from there.
You can chill out on Milarrochy Bay, go to the visitor centre, climb Conic Hill, or you can get a water bus to Balloch or Luss.
- The West Highland Way is usually done south to north, with the easier sections first and the sun and weather at your back. Stage 1 is Milngavie to Drymen, 12 miles / 19 km of fairly level going. Stage 2 climbs over Conic Hill then descends into Balmaha; you then follow the bank of Loch Lomond north to Rowardennan, total 14 miles 22.5 km. Stage 3 is the same length but rougher going along the loch side and beyond to Inverarnan, or you can take the ferry to accommodation in Ardlui and resume next morning. That's 40 miles done, 56 much tougher miles ahead of you.
- Conic Hill. can be climbed by itself, an easy hike from Balmaha. At 361 m / 1184 ft it's a "Marilyn", with a secondary summit at 358 m. It does look conical, a sharp little summit on the Highland Boundary Fault Line, but that's coincidental: the name is Gaelic coinneach, "moss", so be ready for soggy conditions.
- Climb Ben Lomond., a "Munro" of 974 metres / 3196 feet. The usual ascent is up the track from Rowardennan car park, which fills up early on fine weekends. There's nothing technical involved, it's just a steady climb along a well-worn trail. Reckon 3 hours up and 2 hours down, compatible with a day-trip from Tarbet to Rowardennan on the water bus.
The West Highland Way is usually done south to north, with the easier sections first and the sun and weather at your back. Stage 1 is [[Milngavie]] to [[Drymen]], 12 miles / 19 km of fairly level going. Stage 2 climbs over Conic Hill then descends into Balmaha; you then follow the bank of Loch Lomond north to Rowardennan, total 14 miles 22.5 km. Stage 3 is the same length but rougher going along the loch side and beyond to Inverarnan, or you can take the ferry to accommodation in [[Tarbet | Ardlui]] and resume next morning. That's 40 miles done, 56 much tougher miles ahead of you.
Conic Hill. can be climbed by itself, an easy hike from Balmaha. At 361 m / 1184 ft it's a "Marilyn", with a secondary summit at 358 m. It does look conical, a sharp little summit on the Highland Boundary Fault Line, but that's coincidental: the name is Gaelic coinneach, "moss", so be ready for soggy conditions.
Climb Ben Lomond., a "Munro" of 974 metres / 3196 feet. The usual ascent is up the track from Rowardennan car park, which fills up early on fine weekends. There's nothing technical involved, it's just a steady climb along a well-worn trail. Reckon 3 hours up and 2 hours down, compatible with a day-trip from [[Tarbet]] to Rowardennan on the water bus.
You can buy gifts and snacks from Balmaha village shop, open daily 07:30-20:30. There's an ATM inside.
- Oak Tree Inn, Balmaha, Glasgow G63 0JQ, +44 1360 870357. Food served daily 12:00-21:00. Balmaha's only inn, with friendly staff and good food. Traditional en suite bedrooms and unique, rustic pub/bar plus B&B accommodation in nearby cottages.
Oak Tree Inn, Balmaha, Glasgow G63 0JQ, +44 1360 870357. Food served daily 12:00-21:00. Balmaha's only inn, with friendly staff and good food. Traditional en suite bedrooms and unique, rustic pub/bar plus B&B accommodation in nearby cottages.
- Drymen
- Ardlui