duncanrigramblers

Our next outing is on Sunday, 30th August 2026.

Our walks are both within the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.

The park is the UK’s fourth largest national park and was Scotland’s first national park when it was established in 2002. It covers an area of 720 square miles and contains 21 Munros.

Comfort Stop: Morrison’s Dumbarton

Social Stop: Loch Lomond Shores

Booking on is by email or text to Ronnie Taylor at 0777302864 and ronnietaylor1956@icloud.com or via the website, duncanrigramblers.co.uk using drop down menu “walk book on”

The Club Walk: Balloch and Knockour Hill

Dist: 8.7 miles    Asc: 1145 ft    Desc: 1196 ft    Leader: Mark Bannerman

The Extended Walk: Luss Hills Circular

Dist: 7 miles    Asc: 2493 ft    Desc: 2493 ft    Leader: Sandy Raeburn

To book on please contact Ronnie Taylor on 07773028647 or ronnietaylor1956@icloud.com or drop down menu “walk book on”

If you have any questions regarding the walks or require more information, please contact Mark Bannerman our Route Co-ordinator on marban_007@outlook.com

Adequate food, hot and cold drinks, clothing and equipment are essential for your comfort and safety on both walks. Walking poles and gaiters are also recommended.

Our coach leaves the John Wright’s Sports Centre car park at 8.30am sharp and returns around 6.30pm

Booking on coach: Ronnie Taylor, 07773028647 / ronnietaylor1956@icloud.com to book a place on the coach or to add your email address to the mailing list or for any further information.

Thank you for your continuing support!

 The Club Walk: Balloch and Knockour Hill

Dist: 8.7 miles    Asc: 1145 ft    Desc: 1196 ft    Walk Time: 4hr 37 min

Leader: Mark Bannerman

This walk begins at Lomond Shores and continues on footpaths (with a little road walking) until we enter the grounds of Balloch Country Park. A tarmac track now takes us to the ruins of Balloch Castle. The current building was built in 1808 by architect Robert Lugar for John Buchanan of Ardoch in the Scottish baronial and Gothic style. There are traces of the Old Castle, a 13C fortress (built around 1238 by the Earls of Lennox) which sit closer to the loch shore and are designated as a scheduled monument earthwork mound.

We continue on forest paths through the Fairy Glen which is famous for its whimsical charm, featuring little wooden fairy houses, carved tree stumps, and a local tradition of leaving coins in fallen trees to make a wish. Crossing a minor road, we continue on forestry and gravel paths towards the viewpoint of Whinney Hill. The route continues on LRT and follows a rough track skirting Knockour Wood. There is now a section of road walking past 19C Boturich Castle which is currently in use as a private wedding venue. We eventually rejoin the outward route again through Fairy Glen and Horsehouse Wood to follow the loch side path to the end of our walk and the waiting coach in Balloch.

The Extended Walk: Luss Hills Circular

Dist: 7 miles    Asc: 2493 ft    Desc: 2493 ft    Walk Time: 4 hr 48 min

Leader: Sandy Raeburn

The hills above Luss can provide some stunning views over Loch Lomond, however, as Sandy notes, “This is a challenging walk!”

The walk begins up a farm road for approximately 50 minutes with a gradual incline throughout until we reach the bottom of our hill. We now access the hillside and make our way steeply up the south east ridge of Mid Hill. This section will take around one and a half hours and contains some steeper sections. Approaching the top of Mid Hill, the ground is undulating but, given a fair day, your reward will be some spectacular views to the north and east. If weather conditions have been poorer in the week, then the terrain here can also be boggy. Gators are highly recommended. The return route takes us over Beinn Dubh at 2106 ft (642 mtrs) from where the descent is on uneven ground with some steeper and slippery sections to navigate.