Balloch Country Park
Encyclopedia
Balloch Country Park is a 200 acre (0.809372 km²) country park
on the southern tip of Loch Lomond
in Scotland
.
It was recognised as a country park in 1980, and it is the only country park in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park
, Scotland's first national park
. Balloch Country Park features nature trails, guided walks, a walled garden, and picnic lawns with views of the Loch. It was originally developed in the early 19th century by John Buchanan, a partner in the Glasgow Ship Bank, and the gardens were significantly improved by the Dennistoun-Browns, who bought the estate in 1851. Buchanan also built Balloch Castle, which now serves as the park's visitors' center.
as a residence in 1808 by the architect Robert Lugar at the order of John Buchanan of Ardoch.
The new castle used stone from an earlier castle built near the current site by the Earl of Lennox in 1238 and occupied by the Lennox family until approximately 1390. Situated nearer the water than the present day castle, the only remnant of the original structure is a mound that once formed the moat. This site is given statutory protection under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.
The current castle used to serve visitors centre and the headquarters of the Countryside Ranger Service in the park, but now lies derelict. The castle grounds offers a car park and walled garden with trees and shrubs, including the rhododendrons and azaleas that reach full bloom in late May and early June.
In June 1991 Scottish folk-rock band Runrig played to an audience of 40,000. Oasis
played a gig to 80,000 people over two nights here in the summer of 1996, as did R.E.M. in 2005.
BBC Radio 1 roadshow was used as a location for their annual live shows in the 90's with such names as Travis, Skunk anansie, Billie Piper and Jason Donovan pleasing the crowds.
In August 2007 the first Live at Loch Lomond
music festival took place in the grounds of the park. The second Live At Loch Lomond was also a success generation respect from the crowd.
Country park
A country park is an area designated for people to visit and enjoy recreation in a countryside environment.-History:In the United Kingdom the term 'Country Park' has a special meaning. There are over 400 Country Parks in England alone . Most Country Parks were designated in the 1970s, under the...
on the southern tip of Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond is a freshwater Scottish loch, lying on the Highland Boundary Fault. It is the largest lake in Great Britain by surface area. The lake contains many islands, including Inchmurrin, the largest fresh-water island in the British Isles, although the lake itself is smaller than many Irish...
in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
.
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park is a national park in Scotland centred on Loch Lomond, and includes several ranges of hills, the Trossachs being the most famous...
, Scotland's first national park
National parks of Scotland
National parks of Scotland are managed areas of outstanding landscape where habitation and commercial activities are restricted. At present, Scotland has two national parks: Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, created in 2002, and the Cairngorms National Park, created in 2003...
. Balloch Country Park features nature trails, guided walks, a walled garden, and picnic lawns with views of the Loch. It was originally developed in the early 19th century by John Buchanan, a partner in the Glasgow Ship Bank, and the gardens were significantly improved by the Dennistoun-Browns, who bought the estate in 1851. Buchanan also built Balloch Castle, which now serves as the park's visitors' center.
Balloch Castle
Balloch Castle was built in the Scottish baronial styleScottish baronial style
The Scottish Baronial style is part of the Gothic Revival architecture style, using stylistic elements and forms from castles, tower houses and mansions of the Gothic architecture period in Scotland, such as Craigievar Castle and Newark Castle, Port Glasgow. The revival style was popular from the...
as a residence in 1808 by the architect Robert Lugar at the order of John Buchanan of Ardoch.
The new castle used stone from an earlier castle built near the current site by the Earl of Lennox in 1238 and occupied by the Lennox family until approximately 1390. Situated nearer the water than the present day castle, the only remnant of the original structure is a mound that once formed the moat. This site is given statutory protection under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.
The current castle used to serve visitors centre and the headquarters of the Countryside Ranger Service in the park, but now lies derelict. The castle grounds offers a car park and walled garden with trees and shrubs, including the rhododendrons and azaleas that reach full bloom in late May and early June.
Events
Balloch park is host to the annual Balloch Highland games each summer. Events such as caber tossing and typical Scottish cuisine attract the masses.In June 1991 Scottish folk-rock band Runrig played to an audience of 40,000. Oasis
Oasis (band)
Oasis were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. Originally known as The Rain, the group was formed by Liam Gallagher , Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs , Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan and Tony McCarroll , who were soon joined by Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher...
played a gig to 80,000 people over two nights here in the summer of 1996, as did R.E.M. in 2005.
BBC Radio 1 roadshow was used as a location for their annual live shows in the 90's with such names as Travis, Skunk anansie, Billie Piper and Jason Donovan pleasing the crowds.
In August 2007 the first Live at Loch Lomond
Live at Loch Lomond
Live at Loch Lomond, Scotland's newest festival, took place in the grounds of Balloch Country Park on the 4 & 5 August 2007.Nearly 30,000 people were there over the two days and, although it rained all day on Sunday, it didn't stop people going to the concerts, seeing performances from Dirty Pretty...
music festival took place in the grounds of the park. The second Live At Loch Lomond was also a success generation respect from the crowd.