Gartocharn is situated close to the West Highland Way and three miles away from the main National Park Gateway: Balloch. The village is a good base to explore the southern area of the National Park where many visitor attractions can be found.
The landscape is dominated by the Duncryne hill which is also known as the Kilmaronock Dumpling. Just a few miles north-west of Gartocharn is the Ross Priory which belongs to the Strathclyde University. The gothic-style building dates back to 1693 and was part of the Buchanan Family many years ago. Now the priory is used for many different events including conferences, weddings, seminars and other functions. From the priory you can enjoy stunning views to the Loch with Ben Lomond in the background.
For those interested in golf, the closest golf course is the Ross Priory Golf Club. Further east is Drymen where the Buchanan Castle and Golf Club can be found as well as the Strathendrick Golf Club. Buchanan Castle was built by the 4th Duke of Montrose in 1854 and used to be an ancestral seat of the Buchanan Clan.
Another place of interest is The Aber Shore which is a beauty spot nearby Gartocharn. Loch Lomond’s shores in the south-east belong to a protected National Nature Reserve where many bird species can be spotted. If you are lucky you can see a sand martin, house martin, swift or osprey. More to the north is the village of Balmaha with great views from the hills to Loch Lomond and its islands.
Every year hundreds of evangelical ‘Truthers’ stay at the Convention of the Two by Twos. Most visitors come from the UK and Ireland and stay for four days. The village can be reached by car in approximately 40 minutes from Stirling and Glasgow and 90 minute from Edinburgh. Gartocharn has a local shop and an equitation & trecking centre.
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