Inchtavannach View Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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The southern part of Loch Lomond is fairly shallow and is crossed by the Highland Boundary Fault line. These two factors are the main reason for the collection of islands which make the loch so interesting for waterborne explorers. There are about 30 islands on Loch Lomond, some large, some small and some which are only there when water levels are low. The best views of the islands are obviously from the highest vantage point - Ben Lomond but I guess because there is no cache there yet there’s no point going up there!
Inchtavannach (Island of Monks), here at Ton-Na-Clag it is said that monks tolled their bell to call the faithful to worship at the monastery. More recently, Victorian visitors carved their names on the rock at the summit. There is also believed to be an association with St Kessog who was killed at Bandry Bay south of Luss.
This long wooded island rises steeply at its northern end to a rocky summit. A large house has stood on the site of an old monastery since 1760 and the present owners keep all types of livestock, as well as several horses.
To the north east of Inchtavannach is Inchconnachan (Colquhoun's Island). In the summer Inchconnachan's little bays and inlets attract yachts, cruisers, and day-trippers who picnic on their shores. The narrow strait between Inchtavannach and Inchconnachan is said to be the most beautiful place on the loch.
Being near to the bridge towards the mainland formed by Inchtavannach, early peoples must have found their way to Inchconnachan, and some must have settled here from time to time, but there is little evidence of their occupation. There may have been a settlement at the north end of the narrows, and a round structure, possibly a grain drying kiln, has been found.
Some wallabies were once released onto the island by Lady Arran Colquhoun and some of their descendants still live here!
From the shore near the cache at a bearing of about 60° you can see Inchgalbraith. It is thought to be a 'Crannog' or man made island. Tree trunks would have been driven into the bed of the Loch, close to one another like modern piles, and rocks and stones heaped up between these posts. This process was often used by Iron Age people to create a safe dwelling place from attackers or predators.
Despite these primitive origins the island was strong enough to support the medieval castle of the Galbraith family, the ruins of which can still be seen today. Very few people actually know its there and most pass in their boats without seeing it. The island is overgrown and very rocky; it is easy to see its origins as a Crannog.
The cache is just to the side of the West Loch Lomond cycle path. There are a number of lay-bys along the main road and I managed to find a spot on the right side of the road (going North) a couple of hundred meters south of the cache site, at the far north end of that well known golf course – be sure to stay away from this area during mid-July unless you are going to the golf or if you actually like being stuck in interminable traffic jams.
The cache is now hidden behind a large rock close to a partially hollow tree North of the nice new gate through the wall to the golf club. Please be aware of speeding cyclists, as you will be in a bit of a blind spot from both directions. Go through the gate and go to the loch edge for the views of the islands described above.
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