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There isn't much more to say than has already been said, great site with brilliant views and facilities.
We didn't find the midges too bad although had some screens up on our suncanopy and these might have helped. Took them down on the last night and then we knew about it. We had mostly good weather as well, so all added to a great stay.
This was the first camp site I'd ever been to, on my first night of camping. It's local to me, so I thought I'd try it, especially after visiting and reading the reviews.
This site is excellent. There are plenty of toilets and showers. The main facilities are centrally located by the office, and they're opened with an entry code. There are numerous showers, toilets, and the wash basins are in private cubicles. There's a hair dryer that costs 20p, hand dryers, and soap dispensers at the sinks.
The toilets and showers are very clean, and there's no shortage of hot water.
There are plenty of dishwashing facilities, as well, again with plenty of hot water, and also clean. There's a small laundry room that I didn't use.
I asked for a pitch near the loos, as I have a potty-training toddler. They were very happy to oblige, and it was very convenient, but I found the lights on the building made it hard for me to sleep, and there was a lot of foot traffic past our tent.
There are several main areas for tents. One is right by the loch, one is on the large, flat lawn in front of the main building, and another is to the right of the main building, along some trees. The caravans are either by the loch or up in the corner of a large meadow. There's a dog walking trail back in that corner, as well.
The site has a nice, basic children's playpark, and two main access points to the water. One of them allows you to walk along a small beach, and the other has a boat ramp and jetty.
There's a small shop at registration, where you can buy milk and also some soft drinks and ice cream bars, as well as a few bits and bobs like ponchos and citronella candles. The people working in reception are very friendly. They run a pretty tight ship, patrolling the grounds as darkness falls. They're pretty strict about fires. You can have a BBQ for cooking food, but they frown on wood fires, even in standing fire pits/BBQs.
I saw no bad behaviour by anyone while I was there: no dogs off their leads, no screaming drunks, and even the kids seemed to play nicely. I found it a bit nervewracking to turn my back on my child because of all the caravans and boats and trailers being moved around, backing onto pitches, etc.
Most of the pitches are very level (some seem to slope a bit), and the ground is very rocky. I'm glad I read that before I went, so I was prepared with rock pegs.
The area is very beautiful, and there are plenty of walks and things to do. The village of Balmaha is a mile and a half away, and has a shop and a pub/restaurant that is well regarded. A few miles further back towards Glasgow is the larger village of Drymen, with more pubs and a very satisfactory Spar. The West Highland Way goes through these villages, and past the campsite, and you will see a lot of walkers. The road is fairly narrow in parts, but most of it is passable by two vehicles.
As others have noted, there is a very sharp hair-pin turn in Balmaha that immediately makes a steep ascent. That could be an issue for some vehicles.
We had a great time and we're going again, very soon.
We had an unfortunately poor week of weather when we visited Milarrochy Bay which spoilt for us the amazing views that can be had from the site which is set in a lovely peaceful quiet picturesque location.
The site staff were very helpful and friendly and did all they could to help us when the poles snapped on our tent in the high winds. The main toilet facilities were always spotless along with the rest of the site.
The drainage seemed pretty good in most places. We were pitched with our back to the road (with trees between us and the road) which we’d read in reviews would be the case as only caravans got the pitches on the loch side.
We were a bit disappointed that would be the case but once we were pitched we found we were actually happier there than we would have been at the front so don’t let it put you off. If you do prefer loch side pitching in a tent there was another area that you could pitch but there was no electric down there so it wasn’t possible for us as we were there for over a week and needed some home comforts!
There’s a jetty going out from the site which boats can be launched from. We tended to use the backpacker facilities for washing up which were clean most of the time with decent big sinks but the backpacker toilets, which are unisex were horrid and always full of midges so we walked the extra few yards to the main block for the loo and shower.
The main block has a coded door which you have to punch in each time you enter so to be sure to keep it on your person or have a good memory. There were plenty of toilets, washbasins in cubicles and showers, all very clean and never had to wait. Not much more can be said about the actual site.
There is a nice pub down the road in Balmaha, The Oak Tree, which serves food. It’s more of an ‘eating pub’ really. Certainly not a sports bar. If you’re looking for one with a TV and sky sports etc then go up the hill instead almost as far as you can go (few minutes drive) to Rowardennan and there’s a pub there, part of the Rowardennan Hotel which is a lot more suited to that.
Gets a lot of hikers in there as it is directly opposite the path to Ben Lomond and has a colder less cosy feel to it than The Oak Tree but still decent food served at good prices. There’s nothing up that way apart from that pub/ hotel and a car park for cyclists/ walkers and a hostel.
We took our bikes so we cycled up there and went round the Cashel Woodland Walks on the way up which was a decent trek. It is marked out as a walk and we ended up pushing the bikes most of the way up as it was pretty steep. There’s choice of three routes and all are clearly signposted and maps are available.
The walk to Balmaha from the site along the loch side is lovely. We were advised not to cycle that due to the tree roots etc but we did anyway and were glad we did, we just had to push at the narrow parts and over some drainage areas that’s all.
There’s quite a few people pitch tents down there along the way which looked great fun but it does mean you can come across leftovers and old campfires etc so watch where you walk. At the end of the path you find yourself at the ferry port which takes you across to Luss. Totally not what we expected and if the boat’s not in you certainly wouldn’t know you were in the right place for it.
There’s a nice little village shop next door to The Oak Tree pub as well which sells everything you would need along with gifts and postcards etc. There’s a large car park across the road and a visitor centre but apart from that Balamaha doesn’t have much else to offer. It’s quite a trek to the nearest big supermarket but there’s one or two to choose from.
We went to the nearby David Marshall visitor centre during our stay which is worth a visit. There’s a shop, cafe, walks, Go Ape, and you can watch live link video’s of Ospreys nesting. We also visited the Luss Camping Club site which we plan to visit next year, so we were very impressed with that.
We definitely plan to return to this site if we visit the area and just hope for better weather which would have really made the stay special.
Wow - what a fabulous site! Easy to find and on the banks of Loch Lomond so we thought it would be packed.Well it was full but they insist on plenty of room between units and it was fine. The facilities are superb and spotless.
The people running the site are very helpful and have lots of useful information about the area. Plenty of walks right from the site and the local pub (about a mile's walk) is great.
The price is a little steep for non- Camping & Caravan Club Members but we joined at the site making a huge saving.
Well worth a visit - 10/10 - best site I've been to in ages!
This was my first time camping and I have to say it was made to be a very pleasant experience.
The wardens made me feel very welcome when I arrived and when I explained it was my first time. I requested and was granted a sunny spot by Loch Lomond despite the wind. It is a lovely peaceful location.
The perfect 'get away from it all' location which is just what I needed. The facilities on site were absolutely spotless and I liked that you needed a code to get into the shower & toilet block.
There are dishwashing facilities as well as a laundry for those who are staying a little longer. It's only a mile to the lovely Oak Tree Inn if you fancied something delicious for dinner.
Unfortunately, the high wind was too much for my tiny tent and I had to cut my trip short (I was hoping to stay another night) but thanks to the warm welcome and the lovely surroundings I have been bitten with the camping bug big time!
I'll have no hesitation in going back to Milarrochy. If I could give it 100 out of 10 I would.
Lovely location and we were lucky enough to get a front loch side pitch, views were fantastic. Even though we arrived before 12 we where still greeted very friendly, not a problem for the manager who pitched us. He was very helpful telling us about the area and a few bits and bobs.
The toilets and showers were immaculate, definitely deserving of there 5 star award. We noticed on another review it said there was a skip on site for rubbish but that must have been replaced with bins which where placed by the recycling area, so everything you want to dispose of is in one place.
Took a nice walk to the pub at balmaha to the oak tree inn food was very good and staff there very friendly. There is a small shop on site which we found to be well stocked and far more reasonably priced then the one in balmaha
Our only negative comment is it did get noisy on the sat night but this was to be expected we think it was due to it staying light till after 12am other then that we will return to this pretty park
First visit to this site and will definitely be back! The setting could not be better and we were lucky enough to get a pitch facing straight onto the loch.
The toilets and showers were always immaculate and warm and the shop stocks the basics with a general store just down the road at Balmaha and a butcher’s at Drymen.
As mentioned in previous posts, the ground is very hard in places and I was grateful for the advice as rock pegs made life much easier.
The walk along to Balmaha is lovely and only takes around 30 minutes along the shores of the loch, with a lovely pub in the village serving great bar meals.
In the opposite direction, there is a pleasant woodland walk to Cashel where there is a small visitor centre and a number of signed walks. We opted for the longest route which is described as ‘not for the fainthearted’ but in reality is only a little further than the mid range walk and well worth the extra effort for the view.
If you are feeling more energetic, the walk to the top of Conic Hill (starting from Balmaha) offers amazing views though it is fairly steep in places and would require a reasonable level of fitness.
Milarrochy Bay is a great location if you are wanting to get away from it all though families with young children may struggle for things to do in the area in the event that the weather is bad.
We visited this site for a weekend - two adults, one 12 year old and one elderly dog in two small tents. The site managers were very friendly and helpful, showing us exactly where to pitch.
The site was busy and must have been close to full on the nights we were there, but there were ample facilities and certainly no queues for toilets or showers, which were immaculate.
The site was very dog friendly - to the point that I wondered if it was compulsory to have one! The dogs were all clearly seasoned campers and well-behaved though.
The site is astonishingly close to Glasgow - to my shame, in 16 years in the city this was only my third trip to the east side of Loch Lomond, and I will definitely return.
The boatyard at Balmaha is well worth a visit - £10 an hour for a rowing boat or £30 a day (think it was £30/£50 for a boat with an outboard motor) or you can take the mail boat for a trip to the islands.
The campsite has been there for 75 years and you have a real feel visiting the boatyard that generations of families have enjoyed their leisure time here.
My one criticism is that it could be a wee bit noisy at times - its proximity to Glasgow means there are a number of first-time campers. That said, I think those concerned probably didn't realise their noise was carrying and were quiet when asked at 11pm (by which time I was asleep in any case, others in my party told me this!)
The noise did also come in the morning from those who should know better, however. 4x4 owners launching boats from 6.30am on the Saturday morning, while loudly discussing it! I'd definitely come back to this site but I'd avoid the pitch next to the jetty if I wanted a long lie.
And lastly, others have mentioned the midges. Yes, there were midges - but not the worst I've seen by any means. Part of Scottish camping I'm afraid.
We stayed here in May with 2 dogs. We were shown to pitch by a very friendly man (not one of the owners). We were told that there must be 6 metres between tents / motorhomes but this didn't include your car, therefore it did feel like you were very close to the other campers. I think we had been pitched wrong as a few hours after our arrival we heard the owner complaining about the pitching of some arrivals. We found we were pitched amongst both tents and motorhomes.
The site is very picturesque and we were situated right on the lochshore. You could hear the waves lapping nearby. There are many birds and cheeky ducks which are entertaining. As expected on the lochside there are quite few insects and after quite a bit of rain masses of midges. That said the Avon skin so soft appeared to work. Although we had a lot of rain it drained well.
You will need to take some very good rock pegs for this site and a good quality peg removal tool. The ground is made up from a plastic mesh under the grass (showing through in places from wear) and then rock. Our good rock pegs were very bent and some broken on this ground. We also broke our hook trying to remove them when leaving. Looking at the other tents - all their pegs were at least 4 inches above ground level.
The site doesn't have bins situated around, with just 1 skip for rubbish which was a bit of a pain. We were also advised that only 1 of the water taps was suitable for drinking water.
The toilets were excellent and I can see why the owners have won awards. They were always warm with plenty of hot water. There were never queues even though they were busy. The cubicles for both showers and loos were large and always clean.
There is a laundry etc which looked good and a very well stocked shop. We found all the staff very friendly and helpful. There is a private slipway to the loch which must be good for boat owners etc.
There is a 11pm noise curfew however on our last night this wasn't adhered to. This may however be a one off and wouldn't put us off visiting again.
There is a walk from near to the site exit that runs along the beach to Balmaha. There are a number routes to take over the hillside from flatish to steep steps up to the top. The dogs loved the beach and swimming in the loch. Balmaha is a nice town with a small shop and a very inviting pub 'The Oak Tree'. It was very popular and serves excellent food. Although busy we were served very quickly and didn't have to wait for our food.
Be warned the road to the site has a steep 15% incline which has sharp turn - this may be an issue for some vehicles.
The area is very popular with walkers and was really a pleasant place to stay. It is a good base for exploring including trips to Stirling or Glasgow.
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Common Questions
Is Milarrochy Bay Camping And Caravanning Club Site child friendly? YES, it accepts children & has a playground View all facilities
Is Milarrochy Bay Camping And Caravanning Club Site dog friendly? YES View all facilities
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
All reviews and comments are the personal opinion of the review author only , and as such do not represent the view of the UK Camp Site.co.uk.
The facilities shown on this website are a guide only, and you should check with the campsite direct before making any booking. The UKCampsite.co.uk will not be held responsible for any errors or omissions
Tent Pitches 
Caravan Pitches 
Motorhome Pitches 
Small Campervans 
Glamping Units 
No Statics for Hire 
No Statics for Sale 
Seasonal Pitches 
Electric Hookups 
Hardstanding Pitches 
No Fully Serviced Pitches 
Families Welcome 
Not Members Only 
No Rallies 
Not Naturist Site 
Dogs Welcome 
No Dogs Allowed 
Groups Welcome 
Toilet Facilities 
Hot Showers 
Washing Up 
No Bathroom 
Baby Changing Facilities 
Laundry On Site 
Drinking Water 
Disabled Friendly 
Chemical Disposal 
No Battery Charging 
Gas Exchange 
No Recycling Facilities 
No Kitchen Facilities 
No Freezer / Fridge 
No Motorhome Point 
Wifi Access 
No Shop 
No Bar 
No Restaurant 
Kids Playground 
No TV Room 
No Games Room 
No Evening Ents 
No Fishing 
No Wild Swimming 
No Indoor Pool 
No Outdoor Pool 
No Horse Riding 
No Cycle Hire 
No Golf 
No Tennis 
No Beach 
No Watersports 
Boat Launch / Mooring On Site 
No Sea Views 
Not Working Farm 
No Campfires Allowed 
No Waterside Pitches 
Public Transport <1 mile
Offroad Dog Walk On Site or Direct Access 
There isn't much more to say than has already been said, great site with brilliant views and facilities. 
