Rowardennan to Inverarnan

8 May 2012 - Rowardennan to Inverarnan

Distance - 15.1 miles

Weather - Dry with sunny periods

We stayed at - Drovers Inn & Lodge, Inverarnan, North Loch Lomond, Ardlui, Stirlingshire, G85 7DX  Cost £85.00

Loch Lomond view

Today was spent walking alongside Loch Lomond, admiring views of the hills opposite.

The first half of the walk was largely along good track, with a bit of up and down along the way. The loch looked beautiful. As the morning progressed the clouds lifted and we saw the occasional snowy peak.

We reached the halfway point of the walk - Inversnaid - before midday and because we knew we had plenty of time, we stopped, spending an hour over a couple of drinks and a scone. Not much of a lunch, but we'd had a big breakfast.

Sculpture on banks of Loch Lomond

Mountain Views

The next stretch was more arduous, with a narrow winding track and a lot of going up and over tree trunks and large rocks. The trees hadn't come fully into leaf, so there were plenty of views of the loch area.

A couple of times there were a few spits of rain, which I quickly put a stop to by putting my raincoat on.
At the top of the loch the path straightens out and the views open out. You're surrounded by magnificent hills.

Scenery around Inverarnan

We stayed at the relatively famous Drover's Inn. In the 20 year since Alistair first went there, Inverarnan has grown. The Drover's Inn has had lodges built across the road from it, originally in competition but now a single concern. The competition now comes from a complex consisting of a bar, restaurant, bunk house and guestrooms, which has the advantage of being situated right on the WHW, whilst the Drover's is half a mile off the track. If the surrounding area  has changed, the Drover's has not. Not even in the last hundred years. The same dead animals greet you at the door, and the same old paintings line the bar. The same old tartan carpet is on the bedroom floors and the same bath is used by everyone on the top floor. No ensuite luxuries here! Just lots of character.

The Drovers Inn

Another early tea on account of the small lunch and then early to bed. Despite our fairly short days so far we were both a bit tired.