Visit Drymen, East Loch Lomond
Gateway to East Loch Lomond
As its entrance sign proudly declares, Drymen is the gateway to East Loch Lomond, linking Balmaha, Rowardennan and Ben Lomond. The village also features several great long-distance trails, such as The West Highland Way and NCN7 (National Number 7 Cycle Path). The Village Square is the starting point for the Rob Roy Way that finishes in Pitlochry. The John Muir Way path is not far from the village.
Where is Drymen?
See Drymen on the map below, use the - & + signs to zoom in and out.
Drymen History
Drymen (pronounced Drimmen) during the late 18th century played an essential role as a stopover for Highland cattle drovers. After the arrival of the railways in the mid 19th century, Drymen became a small market village supplying goods and services to the Duke of Montrose at Buchanan Castle. Drymen is now a thriving tourist centre with two hotels, two pubs, and several cafes, catering for the many visitors who come to and pass through the village.
Drymen Heritage Trail
Drymen Heritage and the Village Trust have created a superb heritage trail. A map, guide and audio stories are available from the village website. The trail starts from the bus shelter by the Village Square where you will find a large introduction map.
Drymen bike maintenance
Drymen Village Square
The heart of the village is its pretty village square, wherein days gone by, cattle were sold. On the corner of the square sits the oldest licensed pub in Scotland, The Clachan Inn. The first landlady of this pub was the sister of none other than notorious outlaw Rob Roy MacGregor. The pub serves excellent food and has an extensive whisky collection.
Drymen Cycling Facilities
Also at the Village Square is a new (for 2022) bike maintenance station and innovative e-bike changing station.
What Facilities are there in Drymen?
Joining The Clachan on Drymen Square is The Winnock, a large hotel that attracts coach parties from across the UK and Europe. With its excellent new Bakery & Deli, Drymen Inn, butcher, Buchanan Arms Hotel, Spar Shop, Skoosh Cafe, Winnock Hotel, Drymen Beer Shop and Clachan Inn, there are plenty of excellent food and drink options for walkers, cyclists and other visitors to the village. See the new 'Discover Drymen' village website for more information.
Drymen Paths & Heritage Trail
Copies of a Drymen Paths leaflet detailing many local walks and trails are available from Drymen Bakery and Skoosh. New for 2022 is a Heritage Trail with a map and guide on the bus shelter in the Village Square and information on the website which includes short audio podcast stories recorded by residents.
Piping On The Square
In the summer months, local pipe bands perform on the Village Square on Thursday nights. Organised by the local community Piping on the Square is much loved by residents and visitors.
Drymen Viewpoint
Opposite the Buchanan Arms Hotel is a path to the viewpoint of Loch Lomond, around 3 miles away.
Marketing Support
Video, Photography & Websites
Drymen Show
Drymen Show - Scotland’s longest-running agricultural show usually takes place each year on the last Saturday in May. Held just outside of the village next to Drymen Bridge, the show has all the exhibitions and competitions that you would expect at an agricultural show as well as helicopter rides, a pet tent and a fairground.
Buchanan, Croftamie & Drymen Gala Day
The three communities come together for the event in June each year. Scarecrow competitions, floats, stalls, music and entertainment on the football ground in Drymen.
West Highland Way
Drymen is on the route of The West Highland Way, the incredibly popular 96-mile trail from Glasgow to Fort William. Drymen is chosen by many as their first night stop. The vans that take walkers luggage to their next overnight stop can often be seen in the village.
The village has various shops, cafes, a small Spar supermarket and a chemist, to buy food, drink and other items before leaving the village.
The next stage of the West Highland Way takes walkers to Balmaha, over Conic Hill. Please read our guide for that 7-mile walk at the link below.
Transport Connections
Drymen is on a bus route from Balloch/Alexandria and Balmaha, with around half a dozen busses each day. A new cycle pathway is currently being established between Drymen and Balmaha, with much of it already in operation (look for the cycle signs to Balmaha). As mentioned, the village is on the route of National Number 7. You can read about cycling from Balloch to Drymen at the link below.
Accommodation
As well as the two hotels, there are many B&B options in the village, along with a nearby campsite. Peak walking seasons can get very busy, so it is worth booking in advance. If you’re walking along the West Highland Way, you will find an honesty box on the route at Glenelva B&B, just as you leave the village.
Local Photographer
Weddings & Family Photo Shoots
Drymen in Bloom
The volunteers of Drymen in Bloom do an excellent job to keep the village looking beautiful.
Visit Drymen
Drymen is our base, it is a beautiful village to live, work and visit. Let us know about your visit in the comments section below. Thank you for reading this guide.
Plan Your Visit
If you plan to visit Loch Lomond & The Trossachs, consider ordering our book ‘101 things to do in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs’, a photo guidebook of things to do and places to explore. Click here to purchase.
Thanks for reading
Words and photography by Paul Saunders. Visit Paul’s Marketing and Photography websites for details of his services in Scotland.
Please let us know if you found the guide helpful in the comments section below.
Buy our guidebook, 101 Things to Do in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, packed with attractions, views, and activities to enjoy.