Inchmahome

Looking east to the Lake Hotel and Port of Menteith church

Summer is the time to visit the island of Inchmahome on the Lake of Menteith. A priory was established on the island by Augustinian canons in 1238 and provided a secluded sanctuary for over 300 years. It was visited by Robert the Bruce and most famously by Mary, Queen of Scots when she was 4 years old. She stayed for three weeks when she fled from Stirling Castle to escape the 'Rough Wooing' by King Henry VIII's son, Edward. 

The Lake of Menteith became a tourist attraction to English gentry in the 19th century, this was partly attributed to the writings of Sir Walter Scott. This probably explains why it was renamed the Lake of Menteith, the only Lake in Scotland, rather than the Loch of Inchmahome, 

When our children were young it was a regular jaunt during the summer for the boat trip, the tranquillity and the chance to let them run free on the island. This year was a reprise with the grandchildren. Inchmahome is timeless, nothing has changed apart from the boatmen. We were entertained and educated by the current Historic Scotland boatman who took us across and regaled us with stories and facts about the lake and island. Such as the 1000 trout that are released each week, the 35 boats that are rented for £90 a day and the fact it was the European Young Fly Fishing championdship the next day. 

He also claimed that the UK's largest pike was caught in the Lake but subsequent research suggests that was in Loch Lomond. We walked around the priory and the island at a leisurely pace to the sound of birds and the occasional splutter of a boat engine as the fishermen looked for places to cast their flies. The children were captivated by the peaceful freedom, although wary of going too far into the water with giant pike praying on their minds.

Inchmhome Priory