Waterfall at Fairyfalls - Balloch Country Park

Waterfall at Fairyfalls - Balloch Country Park

Balloch Castle Visitor Centre is at the centre of the country park, overlooking Loch Lomond amid woods and parkland. The Visitor Centre has information on many of the visitor attractions in the area and from April to September, has a slide show and exhibition. Access to the park is unrestricted and members of the public are free to wander and explore the park at will. Some paths are suitable for wheelchair use and in drier weather (!!) some of the smaller un-surfaced gravel paths should be accessible also. The main pedestrian access from Drymen Road in Balloch follows a very impressive drive of huge beech trees and climbs gently to the castle where the view of the loch opens up below. The Walled Garden, a common feature of many nineteenth century country estates, is a pleasant sun-trap oin a fine day and well worth a visit in Spring and Summer. Near to the mouth of the River Leven is the site of the medieval castle, seat of the Earls of Lennox who controlled most of the district. The embankment of the castle mound and a portion of the defensive moat are still quite clearly visible.