Activities

Finnich Steading Cottages lie on the southern edge of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park which is the 4th largest park in the British Isles. With its romantic scenery, diverse wildlife and vast choice of outdoor activities available, there is something here for everyone!

For those who just want to relax, the peace and tranquillity of the Finnich Estate with woodland walks and an easy stroll up to view points to Loch Lomond and the Highlands is all you could wish for.

Walking - the National Park and the surrounding hills provide a full range of routes to suit all abilities, from strolls along the shores of Loch Lomond to climbing to the peak of Ben Lomond. The West Highland Way also passes through the nearby village of Drymen.

Cycling - Mountain Biking on routes throughout the National Park or more leisurely cycling between the many places of interest including the West Loch Cycle Path.

Water Sports - Loch Lomond provides a full range of aquatic sports from sailing to jet skiing and motor boating. For the more leisurely there are cruises on Loch Lomond and Loch Katrine, a chance to see the incredible beauty of the area from the water.

Golf - Finnich Steading Cottages are ideally placed to visit world-class Scottish courses including Loch Lomond and Gleneagles. Local courses who welcome visitors include Buchanan Castle, Hilton Park and The Vale of Leven. There is also Strathendrick Golf Club, a nine-hole public course on the outskirts of Drymen just 3 miles away.

Shooting - just outside Balloch, there is a shooting school with excellent clay pigeon facilities.

Wildlife - whatever the season, wildlife abounds throughout the area and indeed at Finnich itself. There are red and row deer in the woods and forests, and the bird life includes Golden Eagles, Ospreys and Falcons. The woods and hedges at Finnich are host to pheasants, woodcock and a wide variety of smaller song birds.

Whisky Trail - The area has a long history of involvement with Scotland's greatest liquid product. Apart from the illicit stills which used to be scattered in the hills, many major brands were blended and bottled in Dumbarton including Teachers Ballantines and J&B, using the pure water from Loch Katrine. Now there is only Chivas Regal's modern factory on the banks of the Leven and the Loch Lomond Distillery in Alexandria.

The jewel of Malt Distilleries is Glengoyne only three miles away from Finnich Cottages. Lying below Dumgoyne Hill it is a picturesque boutique distillery producing world acclaimed malts of different ages and finishes. The Distillery welcomes visitors 7 days a week with tours every hour. It has a large retail shop and the unique opportunity for you to blend your owne whisky.

For those seeking further distilleries the nearest are: The Grouse Experience at Glenturret Distillery close to Crieff an hour away, and Oban Distillery on the West Coast.

The Ealain Gallery in Drymen Main Street, offers an unusually large range of classic and lesser known malts and blends, for both the connoisseur and amateur buyer.

Touring - the Steadings are the perfect base from which to tour central Scotland. The Southern Highlands, the West Coast and all of the Central Belt are within easy range. Touring highlights within 30 minutes include the City of Stirling, with its historic Castle, The Wallace Monument and the battlefield of Bannockburn. To the West lies Dumbarton 15 miles away, with its Ancient Castle and the unique Denny Tank museum, a memorial to the heady days of shipbuilding on the Clyde.

Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park is 25 miles away and is a world-class venue to make a special day out for children. Glasgow 1 hour and Edinburgh 1 ½ hour are an easy day trip while Glen Coe, Fort William and Perth are all easily accessible.

Closer are all the opportunities created by the National Park including Loch Lomond Shores with its aquarium and only 20 minutes drive North to Aberfoyle, the gateway to the beautiful Trossachs and to the historic Lake of Menteith with its ruined Abbey.