Discovering Drymen – in the heart of Scotland’s Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park...
We love sharing as much as we can about our beautiful Scotland with visitors from around the world, and the most asked question that we receive when our walkers are preparing to visit us and are looking for things like accommodation, or what to do in and around the village of Drymen, is… what or where do you recommend?
It can be challenging planning a walking trip, or even a holiday, to a country that you have never visited before, and we understand the power that a recommendation from someone who knows the area well, can afford from a peace of mind perspective.
We are very partial to the beautiful village of Drymen, which sees its roots harking back to the very early 17th century and is picturesquely nestled between the rolling hills of the Western side of the Campsie Fells and also looks out over Endrick Water, close to the well-known Loch Lomond.
Back in the 18th and 19th centuries Drymen was a popular stopover for Highland cattle drovers, who moved their herds across the lands to graze, and to the markets in the east – a spot to rest a weary head and have a hearty pint of ale must have been very much welcomed! Not much has changed today, either 😊
Although this popular tourist village has a long history, it is also the starting point for several walks, and you will often find many walkers arriving or departing on their next adventure – and one of our favourite stay over spots is the picturesque Drymen Inn.
This popular B&B offers its guests a choice of 5 beautifully decorated rooms, all appointed with the necessary mod cons, but with enough old-world charm to make you feel right at home.
They are dog friendly and during the summer months the benches outside are filled with locals and visitors alike enjoying some top notch local fare, such as Scottish salmon, fresh fish and chips and with a “Specials Board” that offers prime Scotch rib eye or steamed Shetland Mussels to name a few.
It is clear to see why this is a such a popular spot with walkers, a great opportunity to enjoy a comfy bed, a warm meal and some welcoming Scottish hospitality after a few days on the trails.
If ruins are your thing, then a visit to Buchanan Castle, the once stronghold of the powerful Grahams of Montrose dating back to the 17th century, is an absolute must. The castle even served as a hospital during the second world war, and although it is now deteriorating slowly (after the roof was removed in 1954 – to avoid paying tax on the property) the beautiful gardens and artistic stone work of the building is a site that is not to be missed.
Another point of interest includes The Clachan Inn, which received its first license in 1734 and is in fact the oldest licensed pub in the whole of Scotland. A warm fire awaits a weary traveller, and they offer hearty meals and an extensive selection of Scottish whisky, gin and beers. They have six rooms, which are comfortable and modern, and their Scottish breakfast is one of the best around.
The well-known The Winnock Hotel has offered many a weary traveller a comfortable place to rest their head and is ideally located for exploring the Trossachs and the Loch Lomond areas. They have 70 beautifully decorated bedrooms and offer a variety of dining options, as well as themed evenings and events throughout the year.
Another popular accommodation option is the The Buchanan Arms Hotel, which will not only wow you with its stately architecture, but also offers comfortable accommodation, tasty food and a great base to explore the area. The hotel was built in 1763 as an inn and farmhouse and is certainly steeped in history, with the property changing hands many times over the centuries, until its current owners purchased it in 2013. It is well worth a visit, even if you are not staying there.
There are also several amazing private B&B’s in and around the area, that we will share more about in another article soon!
The Drymen Parish Church as you will see it today, dates back to 1771, although the site itself has been a centre of Christian worship since at least the 11th century, and when the original building had been lovingly restored, the church became fully functioning once again and has remained so until today. Certainly, a must visit, even if it is just for a photograph of the church and its surrounding graveyards, or why not attend a service if you are around on the weekend?
If you are an avid golfer, then you may want to make a note of the two golf courses, the Buchanan Castle Golf Course and also Strathendrick Golf Course, which are both hidden gems of golfing pleasure, and sport incredibly pristine greens, not to mention the surrounding views and scenery, which all adds to the overall experience on the courses themselves.
Drymen is a great base to explore Loch Lomond, and many visitors enjoy hiring bikes in the village to get around the village and explore its surrounding areas of beauty, including Loch Lomond and the wider Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.
So much is on offer in Drymen, that we highly recommend adding on an extra day or two after (or before) your Scottish walking holiday to take in the sights, explore the village and steep yourself in the Scotland that we love so much.
See you soon, The Walkers Club