Conic Hill and Distillery

Di, Hilary and I took the van down to Loch Lomond yesterday after another sumptuous breakfast to Balmaha for a walk. The weather was clear so we made the most of our time. Alice who has spoilt us rotten while we have been here, (as has Steve) had made us a wonderful picnic lunch of tomato sandwiches, egg mayonaise rolls and cheese/date/ginger sandwiches, so we were well prepared for the day.

We had a map drawn by Alice (who does great sketches and drawings especially of the hills/munros which she walks) of the area including roads and the walk beginning, so away we went.

We parked at the local information centre, had a quick look at the discovery centre before embarking on our walk. We walked up Conic hill, through lovely forest and then up above the bushline to a windswept pastoral scene and I suspect heather covered hills.

Walking up the hill, Loch Lomond in the background.

Looking down on the Loch from part way up Conic Hill.

Near the top

The final push to the summit

Di and Hilary in silhouette at the peak

Needing a hug in the cold on our way back down

It was a great walk, a bit of a grunt, but great views and lovely fresh air. We got to the top just as we could see the rain sweeping down from the hills in the distance and the wind was whipping up. We put on extra layers, gloves, balaclava and waterproofs before heading back down. Once we were down a bit we were out of the wind and it wasn't too bad, a little damp but gorgeous.
We had our picnic in the back of the truck with lashings of tea.
After our lunch we had a wee drive up the Loch further where we saw Highland Cows.

After our drive we headed back towards from whence we had come to visit the Glengoyne Distillery (whisky) for a tour.

Our tour began with a wee dram, I'm not a whisky drinker really, I can't get past the fire in the throat thing, and the nostril clearing. But we watched an good video about the history of Glengoyne which was established officially in 1835 (that's when they first started paying for a licence and paying tax), but the farmer who had the area (and the still) prior to that had been making illicit whisky before that.  They used that area because of the beautiful water in large supply. I think the tour guide said each litre of whisky takes 200 litres of water to make.

Some of the whisky barrels.

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Cheers