Woodland trails, lochs and oysters

We woke to an unexpectedly sunny morning which was perfect for our planned drive along the shores of Loch Lomond, where we enjoyed some splendid typical Scottish scenery with barren crags above spruce forests and then pretty holiday villages on the edge of the loch.

From Tarbet we drove through the Argyll Forest Park to Ardkinglas on the shores of Loch Fyne, where we set off on the Woodland Garden Walk - picturesque trails through woods of beech, mountain ash and cypress; autumn foliage and bushes heavy with berries; past the ruins of the old mill and then the imposing Ardkinglas House; crossing stone bridges over the Kinglas Water and finally through a dell where some of the tallest fir trees in Britain grow.

Kinglas Water

Ardkinglas House

It was then a short drive to our lunch booking at the Loch Fyne Seafood and Oyster Bar, a cheerful, comfortable restaurant with a great selection of seafood. Ian (who would prefer a steak any day) ordered a kipper followed by haddock with chips. He thought the kipper was a safechoice but, unlike the tinned ones we have at home, it was a whole piece of fish which was full of fine bones. He did a sterling job though, after some advice from our waitress about removing the bones first and eating what was left! I was in heaven with a serving of six very fresh oysters and then half a crayfish. Dessert followed with strawberry and vanilla icecream with honeycomb for Ian and a tiny pot of chocolate mousse topped with cream for me.

Check out the bones in this!

Heavenly llobster

Our last stop was Balloch for a leisurely cruise on Loch Lomond where we enjoyed views of stately homes along the shore (now mostly converted into timeshare, luxury apartments or youth hostel accommodation) and Ben Lomond in the distance.

Loch Lomond with a distant view of Ben Lomond