Breakfast at the Killean Vegan Farmhouse
The lounge was available for guests to enjoy.
We learned that the Killean Vegan Farmhouse has recently changed hands. The "vegan" is to be removed from the title of the establishment and, soon, "proper" continental breakfast will be an option!
The first thing on our list today was to go
to Mount Stuart House but we learned yesterday that it was
closed today. Luckily, we were able to change our ferry time
and location which allowed us to explore Loch Lomond before
catching the ferry to Rothesay this evening. Our first visit
was to the Sea Life Aquarium.
This turned out to be a really good experience because the
tanks were curved and clean. This meant we could get some
great movies and photos!
The view from the balcony of the aquarium
The "Maid of the Loch",
built in 1953, was the last sea-going paddle steamer to be
made in the UK. She sailed in Loch Lomond for 29 years until
1981. She was laid up at Balloch Pier and left to
deteriorate. Since 1995, a dedicated group of enthusiasts
has worked hard to get her back on the loch. Through a grant
of £900,000 from the Scottish government and donations from
many sources, work is well under way. It is hoped
that, in the next few years, she will once again grace the
waters of Loch Lomond. We were able to board the ship, which
can carry 1000 passengers, to view the engine room and an
exhibition.
The "Maid of the Loch" is currently on a slipway while undergoing restoration.
One of the paddle wheels
The engine room
Another view of the engine room
This steam-driven winch had to be restored in order to pull the "Maid of the Loch" out of the water onto the slipway
The "Maid of the Loch" is currently on a slipway while undergoing restoration.
One of the paddle wheels
The engine room
Another view of the engine room
This steam-driven winch had to be restored in order to pull the "Maid of the Loch" out of the water onto the slipway
We had the opportunity to go on a 90
minute tour of the rest of the ship but were unable to
do this as we had booked a cruise on Loch Lomond. This
was with "Sweeney's Cruise Company" on their motor boat
"Silver Marlin". The cruise took us past the world
famous "Loch Lomond
Golf Club", to the middle island of Loch Lomond
sailing through an area known to locals as "The Narrows"
and onwards to the village of Luss.
Watching this seaplane take off was an unexpected bonus.
Ben Lomond, after which the loch is named
The church at Luss
On our return to Balloch, we drove to Wemyss
Bay Ferry Terminal for our passage to Rothesay (on the Isle of
Bute).
This is the Glenburn Hotel, our rather imposing accommodation!
This is the Glenburn Hotel, our rather imposing accommodation!
The view from our room was spectacular!
Dinner in the hotel's restaurant was very good (and not over-priced).