It's easy to see why the Trossachs and Loch Lomond, with their romantic history and fabulous scenery of lochs and mountains, are popular tourist destinations. It's one thing to visit on a day trip from Glasgow, however, and quite another to spend a week immersed and relaxing in this glorious countryside.
If such a prospect appeals, The Smiddy offers a base that lives up to the wonderful surroundings in terms of character, comfort, romance and Wow factor.
Situated within walking distance of the pretty village of Drymen, (restaurants, - including the oldest pub in Scotland - shops, hotel) and a couple of miles from the shores of Loch Lomond at Balmaha (pub, shop, marina) on the much quieter east side of the loch, its simple exterior belies the comfort within. Indeed, from the front it still looks much like the smiddy it once was, - the actual smithy is now a storage area still awaiting development, and the original forge can still be seen just as it was left by the last blacksmith and swordmaker who worked there. (In a nice touch, his pictures, together with his 'tammie', still adorn the kitchen wall.) Now it makes excellent secure storage for bikes etc. (by arrangement).
When you go round to the entrance at the back, you begin to get the picture. Outside, there is a small patio area (furniture), and across the drive at the back is an extensive private garden which runs extends to the hills and woods beyond. Inside, is a spacious and very well equipped dining kitchen, and then a huge yet cosy sitting room, with beamed ceiling, exposed stone walls, a wood burning stove and, in one corner, a wrought iron spiral staircase which lead up to the equally spacious double bedroom, with en suite facilities and wonderful views.
The cottage is a two-minute drive from the boatyard at Balmaha, where you can hire boats for fishing and sailing on Loch Lomond or even taking a picnic out to the islands there.. From Balmaha, too, you can enjoy a 2 hour trip on the post boat, which delivers the mail to the island inhabitants.
There are three golf courses within 5 miles and the Loch Lomond course, home of the Barclays Scottish Open, is within a half-hour drive.
Climbers and hill walkers have the choice of Ben Lomond, Ben Vrackie, Ben Venue and Beinn Bhreac in the local area, which should keep them going, while there are also plenty of low level walks for the less energetic. A path opposite the cottage leads to Buchanan Castle and is particularly good for dog walking.
Then there is Glasgow, which can be reached easily within the hour, with all its attractions in terms of shopping, fine buildings, entertainment etc. From the bottom of the Loch, it is well worth taking the hill road over to Helensburgh, where you can visit Charles Rennie Mackintosh's Hill House.
Heating is by multi-fuel stove and electric storage heaters. Bed linen, towels and £10 of electricity are INCLUDED. Up to two well behaved pets are welcome by arrangement. Smoking is not permitted within the cottage. Please note that while a cot is available, the spiral stairs make the cottage unsuitable for toddlers.
