The picturesque village of Luss is just 5 minutes' drive away on the western shore of Loch Lomond, with lovely views out across the water from its pier where the Northern Lights have been known to be seen.

Helensburgh (4.5 miles) is a popular Victorian seaside town with a wonderful sea outlook and a lovely promenade to wander along. The town’s golf course is very picturesque with 18 challenging holes and gorgeous views out towards the water, particularly from the 6th tee.

Fans of Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s iconic architecture and design work will love visiting his Hill House in Helensburgh that has been restored to look exactly as it would have in 1904. Mackintosh and his wife were responsible for the design of everything from the building right down to the furniture and textiles, with tours available of several rooms that are open to the public.

If a day trip into the hustle and bustle of Glasgow beckons it is only 45 minutes by train right into the city centre where you will find all the shops, pubs and restaurants you could wish for.

Loch Lomond Shores at Balloch (5.5 miles) is a great draw for visitors with its tree top adventure course, interesting shops, Bird of Prey Centre and Sealife Centre featuring a tropical ocean tunnel and lots of fascinating sea creatures.

Loch Lomond is known as the Queen of the Scottish lochs and the best way of seeing it is by taking one of the daily loch cruises that run out from Balloch harbour with wonderful views of Ben Lomond to admire along the way. The area around the loch, the Trossachs, is a varied landscape of hills, lochs and woodland that is often referred to as ‘the Highlands in miniature’ with plenty of opportunities for walking, hill climbing and mountain biking all around.

The RSPB reserve a bit further round the loch (10 miles) has lovely walks that lead around its woodlands and fen with a wealth of wildlife to spot including ospreys, pink footed geese, redstarts and wood warblers.