Loch Lomond, Scotland

Loch pick

By Stanley Sobari

Contrary to the received wisdom, the best road to reach Loch Lomond is neither the high road nor the low road, but the A82-a spectacular route which serves its way between heather-strewn slopes and pebbly bays along the lake’s western shore. Take a spin along the road as the Scottish winter begins to relent – but with majestic bens still dusted with snow. Halfway along the road you’d be advised to stop a the Loch Lomond Arms Hotel, an 18^th-century coaching inn, refurbished in recent times. Interior are study in Highland style: raging log fires to banish the draft , tartan fabrics to snuggle up in and an abundance of stuffed wildlife staring down from the walls. Scottish wildlife also makes an appearance in the hotel’s accomplished restaurant expect Highland venison, rock oysters and freshly reeled (smoked) salmon. Afterwards, walk off your dinner with a bracing climb up Conic Hill – a craggy summit at the southeast shore of Loch Lomond, with views over its mini archipelago. Squint and you might jut spot the hotel on the opposite bank.

The Loch Lomond Arms Hotel’s winter offer includes one night’s accommodation full Scottish breakfast (lochlomondarmshotel.com).

The hotel is in the village of Luss. It’s best visited by private transport, about an hour’s drive north from Glasgow on the A82.

Conic Hill can be climbed from the village of Balmaha. Visit the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park website for more : lochlomond-trossachs.org