Cameron House: A Loch Lomond Legend
Simon Walton, Contributing Editor.
Three infinity pools. One at the hotel, one at the spa, and the third one is Loch Lomond. The latter is the only one not artificially heated. The sort of place where everything you’d hoped for in Scottish hospitality has come home to roost. Worth every penny, whether business account or leisure reward, but even perennially parsimonious Simon Walton found no reason to question the bottom line.
Autumn is my favourite time of the year. So the journey from Edinburgh is a ninety-minute wide-screen movie of all the superstars of Scotland, and set in a golden halo of turning trees and brooding hills. Glimpses of the bridges over the Forth, Linlithgow Palace, and The Kelpies - massive representations of mythical Scottish water horses, wrought in steel, their flared nostrils breathing tumultuously over the Highland-bound traffic. Even then, there’s more. Stirling Castle, the Wallace Monument and the Campsie Fells, dark and brooding and wrought from igneous stone. All this before you’ve even arrived along winding country roads punctuated by villages curious in their names and perplexing in their pronunciation. This landscape is not new to me. Yet, still, it’s as captivating as ever. Cameron House has much competition. It answers it all in baronial splendour and understated opulence.
I consider Cameron House to be rather like the Indian Rope Trick, or wild haggis in the field. Everyone’s heard of it, no one has seen it. Yet, beyond a copse of Scots Pine, out of the mist, over the breeze-rippled waters, magical, like an improbably conjured Kelpie, there it is. Revealed.
From here, reality takes a break. There are few places in Scotland, or indeed anywhere, that can make you feel both wonderfully indulged and mildly guilty for not owning a yacht. Cameron House is one of those places. Nestled along a mile and a half of the southern shores of Loch Lomond, this five-star resort manages to combine Highland grandeur with that particular brand of Scottish hospitality that is in equal parts warmth, wit, and whisky - but no wild haggis roaming free-range across the impeccably tended lawns.
This is no mere hotel. The signposts deceive first-time visitors to perhaps expect something more … corporate. That notion is dispelled in spectacular fashion as you catch sight of something that is equal parts Scottish baronial castle, stately home, adventure park, spa sanctuary, and more than a part posh. Just lose yourself into the manner of the manor. Come to celebrate something, recharge something, or, let’s be honest, expense something.
Arrival: From Suburban Glasgow to Storybook Scotland
The approach to Cameron House is all part of the seduction. If you arrive by car, the last few miles along the A82 will do its best to lull you with scenic views of heather-clad hills and the light dancing on the loch-side ripples. If you arrive by train, Balloch station is just a decent golf swing away. Well, a few good swings and a decent putt. I’d recommend a taxi for both your luggage and your dignity, although the House will happily send a car for you.
As you sweep up the drive, the main lodge reveals itself in full baronial splendour: turrets, towers, and enough stonework to make Hogwarts look underdeveloped. It’s the kind of building that makes you instinctively lower your voice and raise your expectations. If you have even a passing grasp of professional hospitality, you’ll appreciate the understated attention, right from the moment your car door opens by magic (actually, it’s the concierge).
Inside, all is darkly gleaming wood, rich fabrics, and the kind of floral arrangements that seem to have their own Instagram following. The welcome is warm and genuine—none of your “come in, you’ve had your tea” nonsense here. Instead, guests are greeted with charm, efficiency, and just the right number of kilts (none, come to think of it). You’ll not even notice the discreet boardroom on the left or the library to the right - unless you’re arriving for afternoon tea in the former, or your party is being registered in the latter (no queueing at the desk for guests like you, ma’am).
Accommodation: Living the Suite Life
Cameron House offers 208 rooms, 28 suites, and 115 lodges and self-catering apartments, spread across its 400-acre estate. The rooms are described in the brochure as “elegant”, which is an understatement on par with calling Loch Lomond “a bit wet.”
My room—let’s call it the MaxLuxury Suite (“No, Sir, we’ll call it the Tower Suite, shall we?”)—had loch views, tartan done tastefully, and a bed large enough to host a ceilidh. No need for that, you can dance the lightsome reel in the private lounge above, and the rooftop terrace retreat above that. There’s something to be said for four-foot thick stone walls - and that something is “privacy”.
Everything you’d expect from a five-star stay is present and correct, from the monogrammed robes to the coffee machine that seems to have passed a barista exam. I haven’t (passed the exam), and it takes two attempts to resolve the finest filter refreshment.
Groups will be happy to know the lodges can accommodate up to eight, making them ideal for family gatherings, golf weekends, or corporate retreats with the right balance of spreadsheets and spa days. Hopefully, at least one of your party will figure out the percolator.
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Dining: The Grill of Good Fortune
Dinner at The Cameron Grill is where the resort really flexes its culinary muscles. The décor manages to be both plush and inviting—think bespoke tartan sophistication rather than tourist cliché—and the service is impeccable, with the kind of intuitive attention that makes you feel important without feeling watched. You’ll be too busy anyway, staring at Ben Lomond across the waters.
I began with a roasted courgette and basil soup so smooth it could have negotiated peace talks. This was followed by a loin of Highland deer, tender enough to dissolve into a reminiscence about the Scottish glens of its ancestors. It was a close call with a rack of Ayrshire lamb that made me consider adopting the ewe just to say thank you. OK - comment not as tasty as the dish: yellow card for me and possible VAR check: Venison At Rest, prior to serving.
The wine list, naturally, was extensive, and if your group is the sort that “appreciates a good bottle,” they’ll find plenty to appreciate here. Breakfast the next morning was equally splendid—served in the same restaurant, with Loch Lomond’s morning light filtering through the windows. Even the porridge feels elevated here, probably because it comes with honey that has an accent. A conventional buffet is served by the attentive staff at the open kitchen. Just for the record, other, Michelin-nudging options are available - all you have to do is choose your dining demeanour.
The Spa: Relax Hard, Play Harder
Three miles north of the main hotel sits Cameron Spa, and yes, they’ll shuttle you there as often as suburban trains to Glasgow. Recently refurbished on a budget that’ll make a Royal Stuart blush, it’s the kind of place where you lose all sense of time and possibly the will to ever leave (erm - that shuttle doesn’t run twenty-four hours a day…).
The rooftop infinity pool alone is worth the trip. Floating in warm water, gazing over the treetops and the Trossachs, you’ll forget that the shimmering lawns below are shimmering with autumnal frost. Treatments range from massage to rejuvenating facials that could even rejuvenate me (actually, that’s beyond even the skills of Cameron Spa).
If you’re part of a visiting group or event party, consider blocking out an entire afternoon here. The spa offers packages designed for everything from bridal parties to corporate teams to cup final teams—though it’s hard to imagine discussing quarterly targets or game management strategy while sipping cucumber water in a hydro pool.
The Great Outdoors, with a dash of adrenaline
Of course, not everyone comes to Cameron House to relax. Some people—usually those wearing outdoor gear with the labels still on—come for the adventure. The resort’s activity list reads like an action film pitch. Jet skiing, 4x4 off-road driving, falconry, pony trekking, clay pigeon shooting, bike hire, and something mysteriously called “more,” which, naturally, was fully booked.
I, of course, am a past-master at all of these pursuits, as my falcon Dobbin and my pony Eagle-Eye will readily attest. I used to be a competition-standard clay pigeon shooter, but an eye condition required me to switch shoulders. My percentage has consequently dropped somewhat. Still, nowhere is more rewarding than here to keep up on rebuilding my confidence with the gun. Should have remembered to switch the padding over as well, though. Still, I guess that’s what the hydrotherapy session is for.
For a calmer afternoon, the nine-hole “Wee Demon” golf course, close to the hotel, offers a less intimidating, but still scenic, challenge. True enthusiasts can head to the championship 18-hole course at The Carrick. My swing with a Benross cannot be excused away as easily as my trigger inaccuracy with a Holland and Holland. My drive from the third was so wide and high, two clay shooters might have let go a cartridge each. Penalty shots all round, then.
The Celtic Warrior Cruise: Champagne and calm waters
The Cameron House marina is home to the Celtic Warrior, a sleek cruiser that offers one-hour champagne voyages around the loch’s islands and secret coves. No visit to Loch Lomond would be complete without getting out on the water. Scotland’s biggest inland body by surface area (an expansive 28 square miles), calls out as invitingly as the siren song of those shapeshifting Scottish Kelpies.
It’s the perfect blend of indulgence and serenity—gently gliding over calm waters, glass in hand, as the Highlands ripple in reflection. My fellow guests included a wedding party, a corporate group, and one particularly enthusiastic American who kept saying, “I can’t believe this is real.” None of us could. He was so stereotypical, he may well have been a mischievous Kelpie. If there’s a better way to spend an hour than cruising on Loch Lomond with a flute of fizz, I haven’t found it - and I’m very thorough about these things.
Leisure, luxury, and a touch of celluloid
Back on dry land, there’s still plenty to do. The Leisure Club is fully equipped with fitness and wellness facilities (for those rare moments when guilt outweighs gluttony). There’s even a 29-seat private cinema, perfect for movie nights or corporate presentations that need a touch of Hollywood gloss. Here’s the best bit: you don’t even need to be staying at Cameron House to visit Scotland’s most exclusive cinema. Just make your arrangements in advance. Bespoke screenings can be accommodated.
Evenings tend to drift between the hotel’s bars and lounges, each offering a distinct atmosphere. There’s something about sipping a whisky in front of a roaring fire while listening to gentle piano that makes even the most hardened business traveller wonder if they should relocate to Scotland permanently. Yes, is the answer.
Groups, gatherings, and grand occasions
Cameron House excels at hosting groups—be they corporate teams, wedding parties, or extended families marking milestone birthdays. The event and function spaces are as flexible as they are elegant, accommodating everything from board meetings to black-tie banquets.
During my stay, one such group was celebrating a 40th wedding anniversary, another a company’s record quarter, and another, if the laughter was any indication, a comedy club weekend of impressive stamina. Everyone seemed equally at home. The alternative entrances for groups and conventions mean you’ll never know there’s anyone else here. That’s a trick as clever as a Brigadoon disappearance.
If you’re the type to organise impressive events, Cameron House is the kind of venue that does most of the impressing for you. You just have to show up, look grateful, and remember who’s picking up the tab.
Beyond the resort, recourse to the Scottish standards
Cameron House sits right on the edge of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, which means that beyond the resort’s gates lie some of Scotland’s most breathtaking landscapes. A happy fault of geography means that Alexandria and Balloch, both outlying Dumbartonshire suburbs of Glasgow, and Cameron House itself, are already in the functional Highlands. Remote? You can do the glens in a lunch hour.
For those who do manage to leave the comforts of the spa or the seven restaurants of the resort, then genuine Highland hiking trails, cycling routes, and scenic drives await. On the other hand, if the “Wee Shop” on site doesn’t suffice, the malls and shopping streets of Glasgow are hardly thirty minutes distant.
That said, most guests I met seemed perfectly content to let the views come to them—from the golf course, from the cruise deck, or simply from their private balcony. It’s hard to blame them.
The bottom line business of bliss
Cameron House is, quite simply, Scotland turned up to eleven. It’s luxurious without being stuffy, elegant without being aloof, and indulgent without apology.
It’s ideal for romantic getaways, family reunions, corporate retreats, or any occasion that requires both grandeur and impeccable service. Whether you’re raising a glass of champagne on the Celtic Warrior, floating in the infinity pool, or sinking into the world’s most comfortable bed, you’ll find it almost impossible to leave without planning your return. Just make sure to save the receipt. This kind of luxury deserves to go on the business account.
Getting to this Highland retreat in the Lowlands
Despite its Highland drama, Cameron House is surprisingly accessible. The resort is barely a par five from Balloch railway station, which connects to Glasgow every half hour—making it almost suburban, though much more scenic.
By car, take the A82, which alternates between sweeping loch-side elegance and brief bouts of narrow adventure. Coaches can navigate right to the door, though for true style points, consider arriving by seaplane, which lands directly on the loch. (Frankly, every hotel should have one). Conventional airfields at Glasgow and Edinburgh are eminently convenient.
From Glasgow, it’s a mere 30-minute drive. Edinburgh is only around 70 minutes away —longer if you take the scenic route, which you definitely should. After all, what’s the point of luxury if you rush it?
Contacts and Costs
Loch Lomond, West Dunbartonshire,
G83 8QZ, Scotland, United Kingdom
01389 312 210
Rooms, suites, lodges: low three figures to “you better get that signed off first” four figures expense account. Watch out for offers, including off season and “Black Friday” deals