Our distillery is near the southern end of Loch Lomond where the River Leven carries its waters through Alexandria on the six mile journey to the River Clyde at Dumbarton.
Loch Lomond is the largest loch
(lake) in the UK. It is 24 miles long, 5 miles wide, up to 600 feet 
deep and
it has 38 islands. The loch and its surroundings would figure high in any list
of the world's most beautiful places. The scenery is fantastic so, if visiting make sure you have a large memory card in your camera!
The large island in the centre left of the picture is Inchcailloch, known locally as the burying island. Some say this is because it has a graveyard on it, others because it looks like a body laid on its back.
The Loch is watched over by Ben Lomond, a mountain 3,192 feet high (973 metres). Since the foot of Ben Lomond is not much above sea level it appears to be a much higher mountain, although the many hill walkers who climb "the Ben" will probably agree with this. There is a path from Rowardennan on the eastern side of the loch that will take you all the way to the top. Even if you are very fit you should allow about four or five hours (up and down) for this climb. It's not for the faint hearted.
The famous song about Loch Lomond is reputed to be about two of Bonnie Prince Charlie's soldiers who were captured after the rising in 1745.
Jailed in Carlisle, one of the soldiers was to be executed and the other released.
The ghost or spirit of the dead soldier would make its way home to Loch lomond on the "low road" before the soldier who was released. He would have to take the long way home over the hills and mountains, or the "high road".
The song has been popular throughout Scotland for many years but in 1991 the extremely popular Scottish Folk/Rock band "Runrig" played a massive outdoor concert at Balloch Park on the banks of Loch Lomond. They had recorded their version of the song and featured it on their 1979 Album "The Highland Connection". This version was not that well known but when they played it at their Loch Lomond concert the crowd went crazy. You can watch this performance below.
Since then this song has become something of a phenomenon in Scotland. It's now a kind of unofficial national anthem. Almost all weddings and parties in Scotland finish the evening with all the guests on the floor joining to sing Loch Lomond. It now also rivals "Flower of Scotland" as the Scottish football team's anthem.
On St Andrew's Day 2008 Runrig's version of Loch Lomond was voted Scotland's Greatest Song.
(This also offers more information about Loch Lomond)
By yon bonnie banks and by yon bonnie braes,
Where the sun shines bright on Loch Lomond
Oh we twa ha'e pass'd sae mony blithesome days,
On the bonnie, bonnie banks o' Loch Lomond.
Oh ye'll tak' the high road and I'll tak' the low road,
An' I'll be in Scotland before ye',
But wae is my heart until we meet again
On the bonnie, bonnie banks o' Loch Lomond.
I mind where we parted in yon shady glen
On the steep, steep side o' Ben Lomond
Where in purple hue the highland hills we view
And the morn shines out frae the gloamin'
Oh ye'll tak' the high road and I'll tak' the low road,
An' I'll be in gloaming before ye',
But wae is my heart until we meet again
On the bonnie, bonnie banks o' Loch Lomond.
The wee bird may sing an' the wild flowers spring;
An' in sunshine the waters are sleepin'
But the broken heart it sees nae second spring,
And the world does na ken how we're greetin'
Oh ye'll tak' the high road and I'll tak' the low road,
An' I'll be in greeting before ye',
But wae is my heart until we meet again
On the bonnie, bonnie banks o' Loch Lomond.
