Balloch

Gateway to Loch Lomond sits right where Scotland's most famous loch meets the River Leven, creating a proper tourist hub that somehow retains its working-town charm. The West Highland Way ends here - or begins, depending on your perspective - which means hikers with heavy boots and stories mix with families clutching ice creams from the loch-side shops.

Balloch Castle dominates the southern approach, its 19th-century towers rising above carefully maintained grounds that locals use for proper Sunday walks. The castle itself houses a visitor centre, though the real draw is wandering the policies down to the loch edge. From here, you can catch steamers heading north toward the Trossachs, or simply watch the constant parade of pleasure boats chugging past.

The town centre feels functional rather than chocolate-box pretty. Alexandria station connects you to Glasgow in under an hour, making this surprisingly accessible for a Highland gateway. Smollet Fountain marks the town's literary connection - Tobias Smollett was born nearby - though most visitors are more interested in the boat trips than the bookish heritage.

Climbing Pappert Hill or Knockshanoch rewards you with cracking views across the loch toward Ben Lomond and beyond. These aren't serious mountains, but they're proper walks that separate the wheat from the chaff among day-trippers.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes complete sense here. Loch Lomond Retreat gets consistently brilliant reviews, and you're perfectly positioned to explore both the southern loch shores and venture deeper into the Highlands. The Walled Garden near Balloch Castle provides a gentler alternative to hill-walking, while Vale of Leven Swimming Pool keeps families happy when Scottish weather does its usual trick.