Connoisseurs Scotland Hotels are situated in exceptionally beautiful areas of Scotland. Each property also benefits from being a short distance away from a number of local activities and tourist attractions. Below you will find a number of activities and attractions recommended by Cameron House Hotel in Loch Lomond.
ANIMALS AND NATURE
Loch Lomond Aquarium. Distance: 69 miles
Situated on the shores of Loch Lomond, this aquarium provides family fun in an indoor environment – so it’s an ideal place to visit in bad weather. The facility takes guests on a journey from the Scottish coastline to the depths of the ocean, introducing them to an array of creatures along the way. This interactive aquarium puts visitors face-to-face with Scotland’s largest shark collection (and the country’s only shark nursery), lets them hold a crab or starfish at the Rockpool Experience, introduces them to the beauty of stingrays, and provides access to the only giant sea turtle in Scotland. Not to be missed are the aquarium’s playful otters.
Blair Drummond Safari Park. Distance from Cameron House: 24.55 miles
This family-friendly property allows guests to get up close with dozens of animals, from bears to zebras and everything in between. Activities include wild animal reserves, a boat trip around Chimp Island, sea lion shows, birds of prey demonstrations, a petting zoo, paddle boats, a playground, and a variety of rides and attractions. (Closed in winter months)
ARTS & ARCHITECTURE
Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s Hill House. Distance from Cameron House: 4.51 miles
Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868-1928), an architect, designer and artist, is today celebrated internationally as one of the most significant talents of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was born in Glasgow, which is where the majority of his work can be found. In 1902 he was commissioned to design Hill House – the house, its gardens, much of its furniture, and all the interior fittings. Hill House is now in the care of The National Trust for Scotland, and its original furniture, fittings and designs have been reinstated or restored.
Kelvingrove Art Gallery. Distance: 15.91 miles
Kelvingrove is Scotland’s premier museum and art gallery, and it’s one of the country’s most popular free attractions. Its 22 galleries are home to 8,000 objects that focus on natural history, arms and armor, and art from several periods of history. The museum is noted for its magnificent historic organ; free recitals take place daily.
CASTLES
Dumbarton Castle. Distance: 7.4 miles
Dumbarton was the center of the ancient kingdom of Strathclyde from the fifth century until 1018, and it was an important royal refuge. This is where William Wallace, the hero of Braveheart, was imprisoned before his journey to London for execution. The castle is noted for its artillery fortifications and its governor’s home, a Georgian residence that houses artifacts that have been found in the castle.
Inveraray Castle. Distance: 23.74 miles
Located in the picturesque village of Inveraray, this castle is the ancestral home of the Duke of Argyll, Chief of the Clan Campbell. It was the first castle of its size and type to be built on Scotland’s west coast. Visitors can explore its historical rooms as well as its gardens and grounds.
Stirling Castle Distance: 26.68 miles
One of Scotland’s grandest castles due to its imposing position and impressive architecture, Stirling Castle towers over some of the most important battlefields of Scotland’s past, including Stirling Bridge, the site of William Wallace’s victory over the English in 1297, and Bannockburn, where Robert the Bruce defeated the English in 1314.
HISTORY
Historic Helensburgh
Drive out of Cameron House towards The Carrick. At the roundabout turn left towards Helensburgh. John Logie Baird, the inventor of the television, was born in Helensburgh. It is also the birthplace of Deborah Kerr (star of “The King and I”), Take a relaxing wander along the front for an ice-cream.
Inveraray Jail Distance: 23.24 miles The jail is a living history museum at which docents portray life in a 19th century prison. These costumed characters interact with guests, who get to talk to prisoners, meet with the warder, see what cell life was like, sample the punishments, witness a courtroom trial and browse a variety of artifacts. Considered one of Scotland’s most haunted locales, the Jail also offers opportunities to participate in ghost-hunting and paranormal investigations.
National Wallace Monument.Distance: 33.5 miles
This monument to the real “Braveheart,” William Wallace, is located just outside the city of Stirling and overlooks the scene of Scotland’s victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge. The monument tells the story of Wallace, who’s known as a patriot, martyr and the “Guardian of Scotland.” He earned fame for uniting the clans of Scotland in their struggle for independence from English rule in the late 13th century. Guests can climb to the top for a breathtaking view that encompasses everything from Ben Lomond to Edinburgh.
Rob Roy Visitor Centre. Distance: 30.1 miles
Located in the city of Stirling, this center celebrates the life of Rob Roy MacGregor, a clan leader, cattle trader and ultimately Scotland’s most notorious outlaw. The Centre is located at the gateway of his Trossachs homeland, where he became a hero to his people.
Inchmahome Priory: Drive towards Aberfoyle and you will see a sign for Lake of Menteith. There is a lovely white hotel on the left and you follow the sign for Inchmahome Priory. The priory was established around 1238. Short boat journey across the loch onto the island.
Glencoe Visitor Centre: Drive out of Cameron House towards The Carrick. Follow road towards Crianlarich. Through Tyndrum (Green Welly Shop worth a pit stop), follow for Glencoe and the Visitor Centre. The most famous Scottish glen is also one of its most dramatic, with forbidding mountains, thundering waterfalls and sparkling lochs. Internationally famous for its amazing landscape, its natural and cultural heritage; the scenery of Glencoe has been fashioned by millions of years of geological and geomorphologic processes is now regarded as some of the finest ‘wild’ landscape in Scotland. The drama is also reflected in Glencoe’s history, both real and imagined – myths, massacre and movies are all now part of the fabric of this magical, mysterious place.
GLASGOW MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERIES
People’s Palace, Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Riverside Transport Museum, the Burrell Collection, Scotland Street School, St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art, Provand’s Lordship,Gallery of Modern Art (all free). Bus Tours of Glasgow are also available.
NEARBY PLACES OF INTEREST
Glengoyne Distillery.Distance: 9.53 miles
Glengoyne is one of the leading premium malt whiskies in the world. An award-winning malt, it’s the product of an unconventional process, remarkable ingredients, and the pride and passion of the tenth generation of distillers who make it. Tours range from a simple walk around the distillery to tastings and master classes in which participants blend their own whisky. An on-site shop sells not only whisky, but also a variety of collectibles.
Scottish Wool Centre. Distance: 20.7 miles
Located in the town of Aberfoyle, a gateway to Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, the Wool Centre sells all types of woolen goods, from cashmere to Harris Tweed. To keep guests entertained, the center offers a thrice-daily dog demonstration, in which canine competitors round up ducks rather than sheep.
Loch Lomond Shores: Scotland’s most spectacular visitor destination, combining the beautiful environment with an outstanding mixture of leisure and shopping experiences overlooking the majesty of Loch Lomond at Balloch. The site is open all year round with access to enjoy the stunning scenery all day – every day! The Buildings are open daily from 10am.
Glengoyne Distillery: Glengoyne is a distillery like no other. It’s as pretty as a picture, with its whitewashed walls and pagoda roof nestling into the bottom of Dumgoyne Hill, the famous volcanic plug that shimmers like a far-off mirage to the good folk of Glasgow.
It is a happy, thriving community, home to tenth generation distillers who cut no corners and never waver from the methods passed to them by their forefathers. It is also the trailblazer in offering seriously entertaining, in-depth visits to whisky experts and beginners alike. There is something for everyone here and, in the words of Richard Grindall in The Spirit Of Whisky “there can be no better place on earth to sit and take a glass of malt whisky”. Glengoyne provide tours of the distillery along with courses lasting between 60 mins to 2 hours.
David Marshall Lodge: Drive through Balloch towards Stirling, following the road for 25 mins (approx). Take road towards Aberfoyle. Drive past the shops etc and follow the steep hill veering to the right over Dukes Pass. You will see the opening for the David Marshall Lodge on the right. Relax and enjoy the spectacular views, stroll to the waterfall, visit the Red Squirrel Hide or swing through the trees with ‘Go Ape’ – the choice is yours. There’s also a cafe with panoramic views, a well-stocked shop full of Scottish goodies, clothing and souvenirs, and all the information you need to explore the Forest Park. Three Lochs Drive/Loch Drunkie: Back onto Dukes pass and turn right. Near the top of this hill there is a drive on the right called the Three Lochs Drive through the Queen Elizabeth Forest (rough road) there are short walks within.
Loch Katrine: Drive down the Dukes Pass towards Loch Achray, sign on left for Loch Katrine. Experience the ever changing Trossachs landscape throughout the varying seasons on board the classic and elegant steamship the ‘Sir Walter Scott’, the cruiser ‘Lady of the Lake’, or the latest arrival, the ‘MacGregor of Glengyle’. Each sailing offers a different Loch Katrine experience.
Callander, Lubnaig, Balquidder: Drive towards Callander and you will come to a Y fork just before Callander. Take the right fork for Callander or take the left fork for Loch Lubnaig. In 5-6 miles you will see sign for Balquidder. Drive along a single track road for approx 3 miles and you will come to an ancient church which is the site of Rob Roy’s grave. Come back onto main road and head towards Lochearnhead (2miles approx). North from Lochearnhead will take you over Glenogle (5-6 miles) turn right into Killin (Falls of Dochart). Retrace steps but carry on straight towards Crianlarich, turn left towards Glasgow and this will bring you back to Loch Lomond.
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