LOCH LOMOND and BEN LOMOND

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, bring plenty of film for your camera (or memory cards for your digital!)

The large island in the centre right of the picture at the top of our website 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 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 disagree 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 fit you should allow about four or five hours (up and down) for this climb.

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".

Click here to listen to the Music! (This music is very well known - you'll know it when you hear it!)

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.

Footnote: The images on the right are samples of five of Loch Lomond's tartans. There are at least five of these so if you know of any more let us know. Full information on these and other tartans can be found at http://www.tartans.scotland.net. Click on each of the Loch Lomond Tartan images for more information.