Home » Bob Law: photographer, walker and writer » Dumbarton to Balloch along the River Leven

Dumbarton to Balloch along the River Leven

With Covid 19 restrictions easing a little recently and living within easy cycling distance of Dumbarton I decided to visit Dumbarton, Levengrove Park, then follow the River Leven  walkway/cycle-track upstream until it reaches Balloch and Loch Lomond.

The River Leven may be one of Scotland’s shortest rivers but it has plenty of interest along its few modest meandering miles. Due to being the sole outlet draining the 23 mile Loch Lomond it can be a fast river when in spate with very powerful currents. At other times, at full high tide when a short rapid section downstream in Dumbarton is submerged, it is open to small boats.

A lesser known fact of the area is that Robert the Bruce, King of Scots, and one of the greatest warriors of his era spent his last few summers and winters beside the river in a purpose built manor house near the modern village of Renton. This was his retirement home. He was dead by 54 of an illness but spent his last three years there, duck hunting, fishing, and maybe exploring the river and nearby Clyde Estuary. The house had a cut channel and small dock where you could moor a boat safely for the owner or visiting guests, yet in settled conditions it was possible to gain access to the river and areas beyond.