Loch Lomond, Scotland

A loch is a lake or a partially land-locked inlet of the sea. Set in the Scottish Highlands, Loch Lomond fits the first definition - simply a lake. Its southern tip is located about 23 miles northeast of Glasgow. Below, as you can see by the light frost on the grass, it was chilly overnight: 30 degrees F. With the damp air, it felt like 25 degrees F. We wore lots of layers. 

We stayed at Lomond Woods Holiday Park, which is within walking distance of the town of Alexandria with its shopping, restaurants, parks, and family-friendly attractions. We met a Scottish couple in the sanitary house where we were all doing our dishes. They gave us recommendations for things to see in the area. 

We went to the Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre in the Trossachs National Park, which we easily walked to from the town of Alexandria on the southern tip of Loch Lomond. They put on an interesting flying show with a few of their birds. We especially liked the beautiful Snowy Owl and regal Harris's Hawk . 

Harris's Hawks are actually native to the Southwestern United States where we settled after our big European adventure. We've seen them in Tucson and Nogales, Arizona.

While in the area around the southern tip of Loch Lomond, we visited Dumbarton Castle, which lies about six miles due south of Loch Lomond Holiday Park. 

Set upon a huge basalt volcanic plug known as Dumbarton Rock, the castle has the longest recorded history of any castle or fortress in Scotland.

Lots of steps, over 500, lead up and down the castle, providing panoramic views of the valley and confluence of the Rivers Clyde and Leven below.

My husband Brian especially enjoyed all the fortification features including well-preserved cannons outside and medieval weaponry inside the castle. The view below is of the town of Dumbarton to the north with snow-capped Ben Lomond in the distance. Located on the eastern shore of Loch Lomond, Ben Lomond is the most southerly of Scottish peaks at the 3,000+ feet elevation. It measures 3,200 feet or 974 meters above sea level. Ben Lomond sits in the background of the first photo as well.