Today we set off for Helensburgh to visit friends. Helensburgh is further down the Clyde, but on the north side, so the trip was quite scenic once we left the city behind.
On the way we passed through Dunbarton which has a very impressive Town Hall.
And there's Helensburgh in the distance nestled below the mountains ...
We set off for a drive around the area, starting with a trip up the side of Gareloch, which runs northwards from the River Clyde, and we could see the sweep of the Clyde as it turned seawards, and the Gareloch heading north.
Just then, a fire tug appeared and proceeded to test its hoses and pumps in a spectacular display. The we proceeded to drive around Gareloch to the village of Kilcreggan.
Kilcreggan has a lovely little cafe with good food, so lunch was in order, followed by a walk down to the pier where the ferry from Greenock docks.
And the nostalgic sight of an old fashioned telephone box ...
From there we proceeded over the hills to the aptly named Loch Long, and drove along it until we came to Glen Douglas which turned sharply westwards towards Loch Lomond.
The road through Glen Douglas was very narrow with passing places every so often, and we came upon sheep and cows just wandering along the roadside. They paid no attention to us so we were able to get some good pictures. There was a small herd of Highland Cows (Heilan' Coos as they are known locally), and they posed nicely for us! There were also some traditional Scottish Black-Faced sheep with lambs.
Eventually we reached the end of Glen Douglas and caught our first sight of Loch Lomond, and made our way down to the village of Luss where we took lots of pictures of the Loch and of Ben Lomond - the highest mountain in the area.
Luss is very picturesque and is a conservation village.
From the pier there are wonderful views of the Loch and Ben Lomond.
And here we all are on the pier!
Luss village also has a church which is very old and in the graveyard there are strange looking stones with curved tops. Apparently these are of Viking origin and very old.
And here's a fine example of a "dry stane dyke" made entirely without mortar and common all over Sotland.
As we left the village, the road comes very close to the Loch and more spectacular pictures are to be had ...
And further along there was this curious statue in the middle of the water ...
Thanks to Google, we now know that it's known locally as "Wee Peter" and was placed there by a man who had it made for a customer who didn't like it so returned it. The story goes on to say that the he installed it in the loch as a reminder of the many happy years he spent in the area while growing up.
Later in the evening we met up with more friends at the Duck Bay Marina for dinner. It is south of Luss, and it affords nice views of the Loch and Ben - and has its own style!
Looking across the Loch to Balloch Castle - just as the local seaplane landed ...
... and dusk falls over Ben Lomond while jet-skiers play on the water.
Duck Bay Marina garden!
A long day with a lot to take in, but the weather was outstanding and the pictures speak to that eloquently.
More tomorrow ...
