Gareside Lodge Shandon

Gareside Lodge is near Shandon, on the Gareloch. It's a detached cottage. Sleeps four in two bedrooms, with one bathroom. It's got a 4 Star rating, which means it's well-equipped and comfortable.

The place is light inside. There are French windows that open onto a small walled garden. It's private out there. There's a woodburning stove for cooler evenings. You get parking right outside.

Facilities are all there: a washing machine, dishwasher, WiFi, TV. Bedding and towels are included. We have a cot, highchair, and stairgate if you need them. It says Christmas themed, which means we put up a tree and some decorations if you're staying over that period.

You're allowed up to three dogs. The garden is enclosed, which helps.

The Gareloch is just down the lane. There's a public slipway there, which is handy if you've brought a canoe, dinghy, or want to try some fishing. The shore is stony, not sandy.

For a shop, you need to go about two miles, so it's best to bring what you need. Helensburgh is ten minutes by car for more shops and places to eat.

You're on the edge of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. It's about a fifteen minute drive to get into the park proper, or to the golf course at Loch Lomond. Good walking and cycling starts almost from the door. For bigger hills, The Cobbler is about twenty minutes away. Ben Lomond is maybe forty minutes.

Glasgow is under an hour if you need a city. Going the other way, you can get up to the Rest and Be Thankful pass and into Argyll quite quickly.

Useful links: Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park and National Trust for Scotland.