Balloch benches
A sunny Sunday in September found us walking at Balloch Castle Country Park and Whinney Hill Wood. Jude’s Bench Series this month is looking for occupied benches and you’ll find several of those here, and I’m also linking to Jo’s Monday Walks. Check both blogs for a virtual exploration of the world, its walks and its benches.
Balloch Castle is an early 19th-century country house at the southern tip of Loch Lomond. It now looks rather neglected (see the weeds growing out of the clock-tower above) but its estate has fared better – it has been a country park since 1980 and part of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park since 2002. As we walked along, we saw the float plane from Glasgow landing in the loch and a fine display of fungi.
Once past the castle, we struck off up a pathway to Whinney Hill Wood in search of a viewpoint over Loch Lomond. On the way, we came across a single-person bench – or is that just a seat? We were intrigued – only one person could have a rest at a time? Even stranger, we found another two at separate points en route. Why not just put them together so that people can be sociable? Anyway, here’s the first one both occupied and unoccupied.
Eventually, we reached the viewpoint:
However, the only way you could actually see the loch was from the handily placed bench. Now, Jude’s specification says occupied benches, which this certainly is, but the small print mentions seated, so will I get away with it? I was snapping John taking the view when he turned the camera on me.
After descending back into the park, we walked alongside the loch which I think gave better views than the viewpoint anyway.
The castle came back into sight from the other side …
… and we explored its walled garden. Oh no! An unoccupied bench!
Finally, we watched the Astina emerging from the River Leven to take its passengers for a sail on the Loch.
For more views of Loch Lomond see:
The Glasgow Gallivanter 
Anabel my memories of Scotland and Lomond are hazy and damp, you’re so lucky to get blue sky!
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We’ve been so lucky this year! We hit the good weather in Orkney and Shetland while it was awful here, then when we came back we had a lovely spell at home. Couldn’t have timed it better.
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Loch Lomond looks like the perfect place for a walk. I love your “occupied bench” series. So funny! I love Balloch Castle as well!
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Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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Lovely photos that have got me wanting to go back to Loch Lomond.
The year before last I stayed for a couple of nights at the Camping & Caravanning Club site in Luss while en route to the western Highlands. I wanted to go across to Balmaha but the weather turned very cloudy, however I did get some gorgeous photos of various parts of the loch when it was nice. Two days wasn’t long enough though, so if and when I do go back it will be for at least three.
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Oh, Luss is lovely, definitely worth returning to.
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The camp site was nice too. I had a lochside pitch, only separated from the water by a line of trees, and at intervals along the edge of the site were steps down to the water’s edge. The only fault with the site was the A82 running right alongside it, it was noisy even at night, but it wouldn’t stop me from staying there again.
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Hmm, yes, can’t really get away from the A82 in Luss!
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Having a massive catch up and so glad to have spotted this one! Love balloon castle and all on those beautiful shots on a SUNNY day sent me down memory lane.
Love that single bench for ‘I want to be alone moment’😂
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Thanks – it was a lovely day.
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Such a nic eplace. I like the casle, it has a very romantic air at it.
And I personally think you fair quite well with the occupied benches 😉
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Thank you! Just a pity the castle us neglected.
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