Exploring the Estate

Access for All

Montrose Estates welcomes responsible public access across much of the Estate. We believe that access to nature benefits both physical and mental well-being, and that recreation can coexist successfully with farming, conservation and land management.

The Estate hosts a wide network of paths, including 8km of the West Highland Way, traversing a varied landscape of hills, woodlands, farmland and lochside scenery, providing opportunities for walking, cycling, horse riding and wildlife watching throughout the year.

Popular Routes and Landscapes

The West Highland Way (WHW)

For around eight kilometres, Scotland’s most famous long-distance walking trail passes through Montrose Estates. Almost one hundred thousand walkers enjoy this section of the route each year as they trek along Loch Lomond’s famous Bonnie Banks. Conic Hill is typically tackled on Day 2 for those completing the 96 mile long-distance route from South to North. Two new bridges were installed on the WHW in 2024, one over the Mar Burn and another, 500m further east, over the Kilandan Burn. In 2025/26 the path section along the Eastern end of Conic Hill was upgraded. All these works were carried out in cooperation with and financed by LLTNP.

For those wishing to conserve energy, there is an official alternative lower level route that goes through Milton of Buchanan and from there to Balmaha. During the lambing season (1st April - 15th May) the high level route is closed to dogs and this alternative route becomes the approved route for walkers and their four-legged friends.

Conic Hill

One of Scotland’s best-loved short walks, Conic Hill rewards visitors with spectacular views across Loch Lomond and its islands. The 361m (or 1,184ft) summit also marks the line of the Highland Boundary Fault, where the Lowlands meet the Highlands. 250,000 hikers climb Conic Hill every year. For many this will be their unforgettable first taste of what will become a lifelong passion for hill climbing in Scotland. In 2022/23 the path up Conic Hill from the official starting point at Balmaha Car Park was upgraded by LLTNP in cooperation with the Estate.

Estate Tracks and Paths

A network of historic Estate tracks provides access through working farmland, woodland and conservation areas, creating opportunities for walking, cycling and exploration. Many of these tracks are laid out along what were the old Castle carriage drives and inter-connecting paths. There are Estate roads leading to the old lodges at all four points of the compass and several others that radiate out from Buchanan Castle Estate.

Designated core paths on the Estate include the Drymen to Balmaha route, which in 2016 was upgraded to a multi-use path and widened with funding from The Walk Wheel Cycle Trust (then Sustrans) and the donation of ground by the Estate.

Above Creityhall Farm, the Estate routes link up with a network of forestry tracks in the Garadbhan Plantation, connecting to Drymen along the WHW. Paths through both ancient and newly established woodlands offer peaceful settings for walking, wildlife watching and enjoying the changing seasons.

Lochside Access

Routes along the shores of Loch Lomond provide some of the Estate’s most scenic views, with opportunities to experience the landscape from the water’s edge, such as at Milarrochy Bay and Manse Bay. The Estate hosts two pontoons on the East side of Loch Lomond. One at Rowardennan Hotel, which allows visitors to connect with boat and water taxi services from Balloch and the West of the Loch and a second pontoon on the same network at Balmaha. This was the first wheel-chair access friendly pontoon on the loch when opened in 2015. Further opportunities for loch access exist on the East side of Loch Lomond.

The growing popularity of watersports and loch-side access is both an opportunity and a challenge during the summer months. The Estate has supported the Loch Lomond Bye Laws by facilitating the installation of speed-restriction marker buoys at Manse Bay, Milarrochy Bay, Sallochy and Rowardennan. These help to protect those enjoying water-based leisure activities and encourage non-motorised watersports.

Investing in Access

Providing high-quality access requires ongoing care and investment. Working alongside partners including Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority, we undertake a programme of maintenance and improvement across the estate.

This includes:

  • Maintaining paths and reducing erosion

  • Improving drainage and path surfaces

  • Upgrading bridges and crossings

  • Removing hazardous fallen trees

  • Managing vegetation along routes

  • Supporting signage and interpretation

  • Developing new links and access opportunities where appropriate

Responsible Access

Responsible access relies on cooperation between landowners, visitors and local communities.

We encourage visitors to follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code by staying on established routes, respecting livestock and wildlife, closing gates, keeping dogs under control at all times and taking litter home.

In return, we aim to provide safe, welcoming and well-maintained access while balancing recreation with the needs of farming, forestry and conservation.

Connecting People with Nature

Outdoor access plays an important role in helping people enjoy the countryside, improve wellbeing and build a stronger connection with nature.

By maintaining and improving access across Montrose Estates, we hope to ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy this remarkable landscape while helping to support local communities and businesses.