Balloch Castle Country Park

Give the grounds an hour or two, especially if you want a picnic without committing to a hill walk. Shoreline, woodland and planted gardens sit together here, so you can make the visit as short or meandering as you like. Walk up toward the castle for the higher views, then spend some time down beside the water.

This is a 200-acre former private estate on the southeast shore of Loch Lomond. Its nineteenth-century layout brings together open lawns, ornamental trees, woodland and several smaller gardens around a stone castle. The gardens and outdoor spaces are the reason to come.

Look for the walled garden and the quieter planted corners rather than staying on the most direct path. The Chinese Garden sits beside the castle; farther on, the Fairy Glen leads into woodland and toward the shore. For a loch photograph, include some of the park's trees or shoreline in the foreground to give the water a setting. Children also have play areas by the shore and at Moss O' Balloch.

Balloch railway station is a short walk away, with a riverside entrance across the bridge. Drivers can use Moss O' Balloch or the smaller castle car park; the latter has narrow approach roads and tight corners. Parking gets busy in summer.

Picnic benches are scattered through the grounds, including near the boathouse and slipway. A small slipway food vendor operates on some days; Balloch village has other cafés and restaurants, so don't depend on buying lunch inside the park. Public toilets are by the castle. Camping and overnight parking aren't permitted.