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Rowing boats moored on a calm loch, clouds reflected in the water
Loch Lomond

Balmaha

The village on the east shore of Loch Lomond at the foot of Conic Hill, where the Highland Boundary Fault crosses the loch.

Welcome

Balmaha is a small village on the eastern shore of Loch Lomond, tucked into a bay at the foot of Conic Hill, and it sits right on the Highland Boundary Fault, the great crack that divides the Lowlands from the Highlands.

You can see it for yourself: the ridge of Conic Hill and the string of islands that runs across the loch from here, Inchcailloch among them, all lie along the line of the fault.

The West Highland Way comes over Conic Hill and down into the village, and Balmaha is a favourite stopping place for walkers and a base for visitors to the national park, with a visitor centre by the car park and boats in the bay. The climb up Conic Hill, 361 metres, is short and steep and gives one of the finest views of Loch Lomond and its islands, and Inchcailloch, just offshore, has easy forest trails.

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The Daily for 29 October, from Scotland with love. An aerial view from a garden staircase looks down a formal garden's central path, statues and cherub urns lining the balustrade in the foreground.
Not farUbiquitous ChipThe cornerstone of Ashton Lane since 1971, with a courtyard restaurant, a brasserie, the Wee Whisky Bar and a rooftop terrace.17 milesSee itUbiquitous Chip
Before you go

Balmaha is on the B837 on the east shore of Loch Lomond, north of Drymen.

There is a car park with a visitor centre.

Where
East shore of Loch Lomond, on the B837.
Walk
Conic Hill, 361 m.

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Where it is

The east shore of Loch Lomond.

Close byAt Balmaha.
  1. St Mocha's terrace under orange awnings on the Balmaha street.St Mocha, BalmahaThe first St Mocha, at Balmaha on the West Highland Way, where the coffee is roasted and the ice cream made.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. Conic Hill's golden ridge and the path along it.Conic HillThe short, steep hill above Balmaha on the Highland Boundary Fault, with a great view over Loch Lomond's islands.2 miles 5 min by road
  3. Loch Lomond Golf ClubLoch Lomond Golf ClubA private members’ club on the shore of Loch Lomond at Rossdhu, home of the Scottish Open from 2001 to 2010.4 miles as the crow flies
  4. The dining room at LOMA by Graeme Cheevers in Cameron House, white-clothed tables lit by small lanterns, pale and burgundy chairs, a curved banquette and backlit round panels on the walls.LOMA by Graeme Cheevers6 miles as the crow flies
  5. The memorial sculpture's ring framing Loch Lomond at Rowardennan.RowardennanThe lochside at the foot of Ben Lomond, in the National Memorial Park, with a beach and the start of the path to the summit.7 miles 10 min by road
  6. Finnich GlenFinnich GlenA deep, mossy gorge of red sandstone near Killearn, where the burn runs blood-red past the rock called the Devil's Pulpit.7 miles 13 min by road
Directions
Rust-coloured water flows through the narrow, moss-covered walls of Finnich GlenAttractionsDevil’s Pulpit7.2 miles
Guide addresses visitors beside whisky barrels marked "HEAD" in a distillery hallToursGlengoyne Distillery Guided Tour & Whisky Tasting10 miles
The white Glengoyne distillery buildings below the wooded slope of Dumgoyne.AttractionsGlengoyne Distillery10 miles
Paintings and chairs in the bright white rooms of the gallery.AttractionsThe Green Gallery12 miles
The drive through the park to Balloch Castle, the loch glimpsed beyond.AttractionsBalloch Castle Country Park12 miles
Loch Lomond at dusk from Balloch, the hills reflected in still water.AttractionsBalloch12 miles
A shark gliding over the walk-through tunnel.AttractionsSEA LIFE Loch Lomond13 miles
A golden eagle on its perch, looking out over its shoulder.AttractionsLoch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre13 miles
A white cottage reflected in still water among dark trees near Aberfoyle.AttractionsAberfoyle15 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the village, and when each is next free.

A stone cottage with a slated roof sits nestled among dense woodland, two paddleboards resting on the lawn in front.Red Squirrel Cottage
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Lochgoilhead
  • 15 miles from Balmaha
Check datesSeal Cabin, Argyll and ButeSeal Cabin
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Lochgoilhead
  • 15 miles from Balmaha
Check datesA Highland calf walks across a lawn before a pink harled house, a stone wall and outbuilding visible behind.Monachyle Mhor
  • To stay
  • In Balquhidder
  • 18 miles from Balmaha
Check datesA grey sofa with cushions sits before a black and white kitchen, a framed print on the wall to the left.Moment Blythswood Street
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Loch Lomond
  • 19 miles from Balmaha
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in Loch LomondAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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The collections it is in and more in Loch Lomond.

CollectionThe Prettiest Villages in Scotland
More in Loch Lomond
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For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .