Visit Drymen, East Loch Lomond

Welcome to a bumper guide to our home village. although I am naturally biased, I think that Drymen is the prettiest (non-Lochside) village in the National Park. We’ve updated this guide (like others on this site) many times to help you plan your visit to beautiful Drymen.

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, which 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) played an essential role as a stopover for Highland cattle drovers during the late 18th century. 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 a thriving tourist center with two hotels, two pubs, and a cafe, all catering to the many visitors who stay or spend some time in the village.

Look at the video below, produced for the West Highland Way, which tells the story of the Gaelic influence on the places along the long-distance trail. Drymen features in this video. (there’s more on the West Highland Way and Drymen later in this guide.)

Drymen Heritage Trail

Drymen Heritage and the Village Trust have created a superb heritage trail. The village website offers a map, guide, and audio stories recorded by residents. The trail starts from the bus shelter by the Village Square, where a large introduction map is available. There is also a path leaflet, which provides details of the many walks and cycle options around Drymen.

Drymen Village Square

The heart of the village is its pretty village square, where cattle were sold in days gone by. 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 bike maintenance station and an innovative e-bike changing station. We’ve seen an increasing number of cyclists in the village in recent years and it's good to see them using these facilities.

What Other Facilities are there in Drymen?

Joining The Clachan on Drymen Square is The Winnock, a large hotel that attracts coach parties from the UK and Europe. With the superb Drymen Bakery & Deli, Drymen Inn, butcher, Buchanan Arms Hotel, Spar Shop, Skoosh Cafe, Winnock Hotel, Drymen Beer Shop, as well as the Clachan, there are plenty of excellent food and drink options for walkers, cyclists, and other visitors to the village. See the 'Discover Drymen' village website for more information and listings of the businesses.

Piping On The Square

Local pipe bands perform on the Village Square on Thursday nights in the summer. Organised by the local community Piping on the Square is loved by residents and visitors. The event is usually between 7.30 & 8.30 pm on Thursday nights during July and August, although this can sometimes vary.

Drymen Viewpoint

Opposite the Buchanan Arms Hotel is a path with a short walk to an excellent viewpoint of Loch Lomond, around 3 miles away.

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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. Many walkers choose Drymen as their first night stop. The vans that take walker’s luggage to their next overnight stop can often be seen in the village.

The village has various shops, including Drymen Bakery & Deli, a small Spar supermarket, and a chemist where you can buy food, drink, and other items before leaving.

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. The picture shown shows the approach to Drymen on the West Highland Way.

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 and a nearby campsite. Peak walking seasons can get very busy, so it is worth booking in advance.

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Thanks for reading

Words and photography by Paul Saunders. Visit Paul’s Marketing and Photography websites for details of his services in Scotland.

Do leave any comments about Drymen and suggestions for your recommendations.