Review: Loch Lomond Waterfront Lodges, Loch Lomond, Scotland

The Loch Lomond Waterfront Lodges is a collection of holiday lodges based on the eastern shore of Loch Lomond near the picturesque village of Balmaha. Located in southern Scotland, only 20 miles from Glasgow or 30 miles from Stirling, the lodges sit within The Trossachs National Park. The surrounding highlands area, renowned for its breathtaking wooded glens, is home to a variety of wildlife including red deer, making it the perfect place to get up and close to nature and all its inhabitants.

The vibe
Everything outdoorsy is heartily embraced. With plenty of decent footpaths and cycle trails, you can explore all that Loch Lomond has to offer. Adventure lovers can attempt to climb the craggy Ben Lomond Mountain, (3,196 feet of Munro), or the less adventurous can tackle the smaller Conic Hill, (which takes approximately one and a half hours), both of which afford spectacular views. 

The accommodation
The lodge is perfect for a small family; there are two bedrooms upstairs, both of which have en-suites, ideal when travelling with teenagers. Each ensuite also has its own balcony, and it's wonderful to wake up to views of the loch.

We were booked into the diamond lodge, consisting of a spacious open plan living, kitchen and dining area, which fast became our favourite area to hang out in, thanks to its fabulous views. On the ground floor there is a WC complete with shower and  a two-person steam cabin.  Outside there's an outdoor dining area and a large jacuzzi with loch views, which we made full use of!

Food and drink
As we were staying in a self-catering lodge, we purchased all of our food and drink before we left the city. However, on the drive down to the lodge, we stopped off at a few of the speciality stores to purchase some local produce, picking up delicious jams, chutneys, fresh cheeses and meats.

If you're looking for a good pub to visit, we can recommend The Oak Tree Inn, only a short walk from the lodge, which  is a perfect place to while away the afternoon in front of the roaring fire. Located next to the ferry terminal, and at the starting point of the West Highland Way, it's always packed to the rafters with people stopping off as they pass through the area. 
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Activities
All the lodges have external Jacuzzis and internal steam cabins to encourage a bit of relaxation. We spent the majority of our time walking, hill climbing and sight-seeing. However, you can also take the ferry to visit the surrounding areas, or enjoy some lake-side activities. Segway and golf is also available, or if you fancy a wee dram, you can visit the Glengoyne Whisky Distillery, one of the prettiest distilleries in Scotland. 

The local area
Given you're in the heart of the countryside, the focus really is on enjoying nature. However, if you want to head to town, it's only a scenic half hour's drive away. 
 
Travelling further afield
There are a few options to explore the local area; you can go by foot or you can hire a car and drive from one end of the loch to the other. We recommend a visit to Luss, a picturesque village complete with stone cottages, a few small bistros and a cosy pub inn. Sadly, we didn’t get a chance to visit Killin, which is home to the Falls of Dochart, a dramatic waterfall, which is well worth a visit.
 
The Verdict
The location cannot be faulted, the scenery is second to none and the lodges are perfect for a family holiday. 
 
The details
For more info visit https://www.loch-lomond-waterfront.co.uk/.

Best bits
Waking up to the stunning views and the security. We are always conscious of safety when we travel with the children, and the lodge complex has nailed this; the entrance has an electric gate, which can only be accessed with the security code.

Worst bits
The lodge could do with a bit of a refurb. It's classed as luxury, however, it needs some TLC to bring it up to standard.

Most suited for
Families; it is a very family friendly place.

​Raj Gill 
*During my stay I was hosted by the lovely team at Loch Lomond Waterfront Lodges. All opinions are my own. ​

Our experience overall 
The property:                                 ★★★
Ambiance:                                      ★★★
Food & drink:                                 ★★★★
Staff friendliness/attentiveness: ★★★