Gare Loch
Helensburgh Trossachs and Accommodation
Helensburgh was a favourite holiday resort for the better off Glaswegian
families in the mid 1900s when 
(nearly) the
whole of Glasgow's population went 'doon the watter' during the Glasgow fair. At that time
the whole of the Clyde coast was plied by a large number of steamers including the famous
Waverley (paddle steamer) which still calls at Helensburgh on special occasions.
Charles Rennie Mackintosh's architectural masterpiece 'Hill House' is also to be found
here. Whilst at Helensburgh, visit the pier before turning north on the A814 towards Rhu.
Rhu
Rhu, a conservation village is a popular resort with the sailing 
fraternity. Rhu Marina is apparently
unique, being the only Marina on the North Clyde Coast.
Five miles north from Rhu is Garelochhead, the home of the naval base on the Gareloch which has attracted anti-nuclear protestors for years. Brightly coloured caravans by the roadside here housed the protestors for as long as the base has been here. Garelochhead village is of no great interest, but the road to the left just beyond the village makes an interesting detour down to Rosneath and Kilcreggan, both of which were once on the itenary of the Clyde steamers.
The road now rises for a mile or so to a summit where a car park on the right affords magnificent views south to Gareloch and north over Loch Long. (Toilets here).
Continuing north on this road we cross the West Highland railway line which climbs away up the hillside and we pass Portincaple on Loch Long where you will probably see an enormous naval ship tied up - it's been there as long as I can remember!. The road now undulates all the way up Loch Long and some wonderful views may be seen over the loch. Unfortunately parking can be difficult on many parts of this road.
Arrochar
Approaching Arrochar along Loch Long from the south you meet the (A83) road coming over
the hill to Loch 
Long from Tarbet on Loch Lomond. Turn left
here and note on the left the remains of the old Arrochar pier where the steamers used to
call laden with holidaymakers in the heyday of the steamships.
Over the waters of Loch Long you have an excellent view of Ben Arthur - usually known
as The Cobbler - a reference to its unusual silhouette.
There is a good chip shop on the left in the village of Arrochar where the food is freshly
fried for each customer! You can sit and eat your chips in a nicely located car park
looking down Loch Long just beyond the village.
The next part of this trip may be skipped if time is a problem, (we pass here on the way back).
Continue westward round the loch passing the old admiralty buildings by loch Long where torpedoes were tested during Worls War ii. The road now sweeps right and begins the long climb up 'The Rest and Be Thankful' road. The name is well earned and you may imagine the condition of the horses in days gone by as they laboured up the old road which can be seen well below the modern road on the left. At the top you will find a car park at the viewpoint where you can admire the fine panorama before returning to Arrochar the way you came.
Drive back through Arrochar village but keep to the main road this time. This leads you over the pass to Tarbet. The name 'Tarbet' is derived from the Viking word for 'portage'. The Vikings sailed up Loch Long to raid Arrochar then dragged their galleys over this pass to continue their raids on Loch Lomond. At Tarbet you may detour a couple of miles north on the lochside to Inveruglas which boasts some marvellous views down Loch Lomond.
