In the walking village of Drymen, where the West Highland Way passes through, and the Trossachs hills rise to the north, Ellanderroch is a beautifully renovated cottage with all the character of a Highland home and none of the fuss. Exposed ceiling beams frame the cosy sitting room, the village pub is barely a minute's stroll away, and Loch Lomond lies just over the hill.
Drymen sits within the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, right where the Lowlands yield to the Highlands. The village punches well above its weight: three excellent cafés, including Skoosh tearoom and Alfie & Co for arguably the best coffee in the area, two welcoming pubs (The Clachan serves seriously good food), a butcher whose pies have earned a loyal following, and a remarkably well-stocked Spar. The West Highland Way passes through the village, and Conic Hill, the classic ridge walk above Balmaha, is a short drive or a satisfying hike from the door. Glasgow is under an hour south, Stirling Castle forty minutes east, and the shores of Loch Lomond at Balloch roughly twenty minutes west.
Step inside, and the cottage wraps around you. The sitting room has genuine warmth to it, all open beams and soft light, with a Smart TV for quieter evenings. The well-equipped kitchen has everything you need to cook properly, from an electric oven and hob to a microwave and fridge, with a sociable dining table where unhurried suppers and a bottle of wine feel like the natural order of things. A walk-in shower room on the ground floor keeps things convenient.
Upstairs, the loft bedroom is something special. Sloping ceilings give it a tucked-away, almost cocoon-like feel, and the zip-link bed is remarkably comfortable. The ground-floor bedroom offers the same flexible arrangement, working equally well as a double or twin, making the cottage adaptable for couples travelling together or a small family. Thoughtful touches are everywhere: a shelf of children's books and DVDs, a welcome basket with homemade shortbread, and detailed notes on the best walks and eating spots nearby.
Outside, the shared front garden has outdoor furniture and secure bike storage, handy given the cycling routes threading through the Trossachs. Off-road parking for two cars means you arrive and settle in without fuss.
From Drymen, the possibilities fan out beautifully. Walk the West Highland Way or tackle Ben Lomond, Scotland's most southerly Munro. Tour Glengoyne Distillery, perched right on the Highland Line, where the whisky is as smooth as the surrounding scenery. Head to Balloch for Loch Lomond Shores, or drive through to Stirling for castle ramparts and the Wallace Monument. Glasgow's Kelvingrove Art Gallery and the Riverside Museum are an easy day trip for culture, and the Rob Roy Way offers quieter trails through the Trossachs for those who prefer to leave the crowds behind.
Ellanderroch is a cottage that wins you over through honest comfort and a first-rate location. In a village this good, you may find that the hardest part of your Highland holiday is persuading yourself to leave.
