Arden
The first village north of Balloch on the west side is Arden, a tiny village with a big view of Loch Lomond and with panoramic views of Ben Lomond and Inchmurrin Island.
The name Arden is derived from Gaelic 'Ard tigh' meaning the 'high promentory'.
The striking Auchendennan House at Arden is now used as a Youth Hostel - possibly one of the most impressive hostels in the uk. In the time of Robert the Bruce , Auchendennan was a royal hunting estate and the 19th century Auchendennan mansion became a youth hostel in 1924 and is claimed to be the largest and most beautiful youth hostels in the world. Lomond Castle was once damaged by fire but has now been restored and houses luxury apartments - some as holiday lets!
The 284 acre site of Auchenheglish has been investigated by archaeologists who have unearthed some interesting finds, including burial urns from the Bronze Age (c.1800BC), an Iron Age settlement with a rare glass bead and an early Christian burial.
The name Arden is derived from Gaelic 'Ard tigh' meaning the 'high promentory'.
The striking Auchendennan House at Arden is now used as a Youth Hostel - possibly one of the most impressive hostels in the uk. In the time of Robert the Bruce , Auchendennan was a royal hunting estate and the 19th century Auchendennan mansion became a youth hostel in 1924 and is claimed to be the largest and most beautiful youth hostels in the world. Lomond Castle was once damaged by fire but has now been restored and houses luxury apartments - some as holiday lets!
The 284 acre site of Auchenheglish has been investigated by archaeologists who have unearthed some interesting finds, including burial urns from the Bronze Age (c.1800BC), an Iron Age settlement with a rare glass bead and an early Christian burial.