Thursday, May 22

Luss Photo Tour

One of my favorite stops on the way to the Highlands is the picturesque village of Luss on the west bank of Loch Lomond. It is one of the obligatory stops when we play tour guide to our out of town guests.

Through the heart of the village runs a narrow street flanked by lovely cottages. The village was once known as Clachan Dubh (the dark village) because of its mountain setting which steals two hours of sunlight in the evenings, particularly in the winter time.

Many of the cottages that distinguish Luss were originally erected to house workers in the cotton mill and slate quarries of the 18th and 19th centuries. The homes have been fully restored and Luss has been designated a "Conservation Village". Oh, how I would love to own one some day. A perfect little holiday cottage!

The streets of the village are laid out in a linear pattern with the main street running down to the shore of Loch Lomond and Luss Pier. The views from the pier and shore are stunning.

A visit to Luss is not complete with out stopping by the Coach House Coffee Shop for tea and scones. Normally when we visit it is either cold or rainy (imagine!) so we crowd around the fire and sit at one of the tables made from salvage packing crates. This time however it was warm and sunny, so we sat on the patio.

Just last week we had the pleasure of meeting the lovely owner Rowena Ferguson and her adorable Schnauzer named Parsley. Parsley and our wee Schnauzer Izzie got on fabulously.

I know our son has been fully immersed in the Scottish culture when he proudly breaks into song and serenades everyone in the car as we drive into the village…
By yon bonnie banks and by yon bonnie braes,
Where the sun shines bright on Loch Lomond…

9 comments:

Pauline said...

Thanks for the tour, I can remember just last year on May 27th we stopped by this wonderful village on our Scotland tour and enjoyed it immensely. I think everyone projects themselves living in one of these lovely cottages.

Anonymous said...

I am so jealous! I love that last photo. In fact, I would like to just move right on in!

ALL THE BEST said...

I think you are right Pauline. I've never seen one for sale!

ALL THE BEST said...

It is pretty terrific Anne!

Anonymous said...

I will be singing that song all day ;-)

Pigtown*Design said...

I totally understand your sentence about the mountains stealing the sunlight. Some of the little villages up in the vales in Wales seemed to never see the sunlight, they were so deep under the surrounding mountains.

katiedid said...

So funny, as soon as you mentioned Loch Lomand, that song flashed through my mind too. What a wonderfully picturesque village. Thank you!

Easy and Elegant Life said...

One lucky kid!

Thanks for the armchair travel.

cotedetexas said...

I have friend from Loch Lomond - in Meyerland! hahahahh!!!!! do you know that street? right behind Lovett elementary school.

loved your stories about Sakowitz, such great memories, right?

Joni