A walk in the woods at Queen Elizabeth Forest Park

 

Today we ventured further afield and headed to Queen Elizabeth Forest Park. A gorgeous drive from Loch Lomond. We chose the waterfall walk which was a mile (enough for toddler legs). We were looking out for red squirrels but we aren't exactly quiet. 

Close to the start of the walk we found the monument to the Lumberjills. Our toddler loved the talking bench and learning about how women took over from men during the war - felling, snedding, loading trucks and trains and milling timber all over Scotland. 

Along the walk there were children's activities and mini playparks which was perfect to keep the little legs walking. As we rounded a corner at the bottom of the hill, we saw the waterfall. It's glorious and the perfect lunch spot while lying on the hammocks. On the way back up the hill, we found a fab fairy village and little houses to play in. Then ended our visit with a coffee stop in the Lodge visitor centre which was so welcoming and dog friendly. A lovely visit. 

Leisure day at Cameron Hotel

 

Ali's brother managed to get us day passes at Cameron Hotel on Loch Lomond. It has a valet service and it's own sea plane! It was quite funny driving up to the front door with a family car and roof box. Our toddler and I went for a swim first. It has a fabulous children's pool with slides, floats, bubbles and shallow enough for them to just go off by themselves and have some independence. We ended up staying in the pool for 2 hours! Then lunch in the tavern where the children's portion was bigger than a regular adults portion. Then we switched and Ali went for an afternoon of swimming, jacuzzi, sauna and steam. A much needed rest day. 

Banged up in Inveraray Jail

The drive from Cove to Inveraray is spectacular. The weather was perfect and around every sea inlet, yet another beautiful view. On route we also discovered who our neighbours are - RNAD Coulport. Home to the Royal Naval Armaments Depot, aka where the nuclear warheads for the UK are stored.   

Our destination today was Inveraray. Alas the castle isn't open for the season yet, but we were heading for the jail. Complete with Court Room, thumb screws that you can try and a whipping table you can also try. The best bit for a toddler is that nothing was forbidden to touch. We wandered around the old prison where women and children were kept, then onto the exercise cells outside which prisoners used alone for one hour a day. The new prison had 12 much bigger cells, heating, lighting and water closet. The prison closed in 1889. 

Inveraray is very quaint. We got a pasty and sat on the dock looking at the spectacular view. Got pudding in the Chocolate Box and then car sweets from the old sweet shop. A lovely visit. 

Sea Life Centre Loch Lomond and a lake cruise

 A day in Balloch - the Sea Life Centre which our toddler whizzed around within minutes so we went around 3 times to get out monies worth. Then Sweeneys cruise on the lake for 1 hour. 

Loch Lomond Faerie Trail

Today we visited Luss, a beautiful village on the banks of Loch Lomond. The cottages don't look real because they look too perfect. We started with lunch in the Coach House coffee shop and had a stottie - a big bap and salad. 

Then on to the playground which was a big hit with our toddler, then the Loch Lomond Faerie trail which was really sweet. A tough trek to do in an hour with a toddler though who wants a carry every few minutes. Our tickets were free because it's Mothers Day and Mums go free, and so do toddlers....however, we then spent £24 on merchandise to have the unicorn, fairy wings and wand! A great option for toddlers. 

A long drive with a stopover in Gretna Green

What a drive - over 7 hours to get to Cove, close to Loch Lomond. A first stopover at Shugborough National Trust before I realised that it was a Saturday and seeing how rammed it was. We stopped, went to the toilet, had lunch and then got out of there. Too many people. Onwards. 

Our next stop was Gretna Green at 4pm. I've always been intrigued about Gretna Green and had something very different in my mind. The shops were just closing and we felt this was a perfect time to visit. We weren't surrounded by tourists and could walk around leisurely. Alas the museum is currently being refurbished so we couldn't see the history of Gretna Green, but it was a good stopover on a long journey. I would have loved some history boards though. 

Then onto Cove on the banks of Loch Long and the best view from a cottage that I've ever seen.