The emergence of the fishing village or Arrochar at the head of Loch Long as a tourist centre during the steam-boat era is almost entirely due to its proximity to Loch Lomond. David Napier, who pioneered sailing on Loch Lomond with the steamboat Marion in 1817 and recognized the attraction of a tour that encompassed both Loch Lomond and Loch Long with the introduction of the Rob Roy, the following year. However, the Rob Roy was used thereafter on the Belfast station, leaving connections at Arrochar in the hands of other operators.

Glasgow Herald, July 20, 1818

The early Lochgoilhead steam-boats, Defiance of 1817 and her successor, the Tay of 1814, brought from Dundee in 1818, both doubtless visited Arrochar. Both vessels were withdrawn around 1919 for modifications, the former reappearing as Highland Lad and sailing to the west highlands and the latter in 1822 as the Oscar.

In the interim, the Fingal of 1819 was placed on the station. She was the smaller of two vessels of the same name that appeared that year—the other was a steamboat for the Belfast station—and was not a particularly successful vessel with repeated advertisements for her sale at the beginning of each season. She was eventually sold in 1822 and renamed Roseneath Castle, sailing to Helensburgh and the Gareloch.

Glasgow Herald, August 1822

The Oscar was advertised with the Lochlomond steamer, Marion, connecting at Arrochar where she lay to allow the passengers to make for Tarbet and sail to the head of Lochlomond.

Glasgow Herald, May 1823

Glasgow Herald, June 1823

Marion’s main business continued as usual with the connection from Glasgow provided by Dumbarton.

The tourist traffic to Arrochar and to Inverary by way of Lochgoilhead provided the impetus for the formation, on 9th February, 1825, of the Lochgoil and Lochlong Steam Boat Company. With capital of £5,500 consisting of 110 £50 shares held by Archibald Campbell of Drimsynie, Mungo Nutter Campbell of St Catherine’s, at the time Lord Provost of Glasgow, Peter Graham, ship-master of Glasgow, Andrew Rankin, merchant of Glasgow, and Arthur Forbes, writer, they first purchased the Oscar, the regular vessel serving Lochgoilhead, from A. Dow, and had two new steamers constructed. The first of these, St. Catherine, came from the yard of John Wood, then at Dumbarton, and the second from Wood & Ritchie’s yard at Port Glasgow.

Glasgow Herald, May 1825

The new vessel appeared on the route in June.

Glasgow Herald, June 1825

In August 1825, the Marion, sailing on Loch Lomond, received a larger and more powerful competitor in the form of the Lady of the Lake. The owners of the Lady initially had no cooperation with the Dumbarton steamboats and the Arrochar steamboats, but soon there was an intense competition and much reduced fares.

The following year, the St George was added to the Lochgoil and Arrocharroute, and this pattern continued throughout the latter part of the 1820s. When the new St George arrived in 1826, the Oscar was relegated to sailing between Glasgow and Gourock and was wrecked off Roseneath in 1831.

Glasgow Herald, May 1826 

For the 1827, Napier placed his steamboat Post Boy on Loch Lomond and renamed her Euphrosyne to compete on a more equal footing with the Lady of the Lake. He was also successful in persuading the Dumbarton Company to sail exclusively in connection with Euphrosyne and forced the opposition to charter an alternative. The efforts were successful and the Lady of the Lake was withdrawn and sold, there after sailing on the Clyde for Mr Napier, and leaving Euphrosyne as the sole steam-boat on Loch Lomond for a number of years.

Glasgow Herald, August 1827

Glasgow Herald, May 1828

Glasgow Herald, July 1829

The new decade brought increased competition followed by a slump in the tourist trade, and on most steamboats, fares were greatly reduced. The Lochgoil and Lochlong Steam Boat Company, however, kept their fares at the established level—presumably most of the tourists were sufficiently wealthy to pay the premium for the exclusivity in the cabin.

Glasgow Herald, May 10, 1830

Glasgow Herald, May 28, 1830

A further slump in business occurred in 1832, when a cholera epidemic spread through the west of Scotland. The St George was sold in May, leaving the Lochgoil and Arrochar station with only one steam-boat. The Dumbarton steamers saw an opportunity and provided relief when the St Catherine was not available.

Glasgow Herald, August 9, 1833

Glasgow Herald, August 12, 1833

On Loch Lomond there were also changes. David Napier had accepted one of the previous owners of the Lady of the Lake, John M‘Murrich as a partner as part of the transfer the of the steamer in 1829 and by 1835, the Euphrosyne was aging, and a suitable back-up was sought. Napier and M‘Murrich purchase a second-hand steamboat, Moville, that had been built as the Castle Finn in 1832 for the up-river service out of Londonderry but was renamed after this proved impractical and she had been sailing on the Foyle. The steam-boat was renamed Balloch and she entered service in July 1835. By the end of the season, however, David Napier had decided to move his business interests to London and he sold all his Clyde steam-boats. He retained his interest in the lucrative Loch Lomond service, and a new iron steamboat was built at Lancefield by Napier for the Loch the following year. Lochlomond was 95 feet by 15 feet by 8½ feet in depth and was flush-decked with an engine of 39 h.p.  Both Balloch and Euphrosyne were offered for sale, and it was the former that was sold in 1838 and renamed Dumbuck, sailing on the Dumbarton station. What happened to Euphrosyne is not known although she had been offered for sale from December 1835 and was running on Loch Lomond for a short time in 1838.

The Lochgoil and Lochlong Steam Boat Company struggled to maintain a service to both Lochgoilhead and Arrochar with a single vessel and the Dumbarton steamboats filled the gap. Ordinarily, the Dumbarton steam boats trading to Dumbarton did not pay harbor dues at Glasgow and consequently were relegated to the extreme west end of the steamboat quay but the boats on the Arrochar sailings paid dues and sailed from the Broomielaw.

Glasgow Herald, June 19, 1835

Glasgow Herald, September 1835

A new steamboat, Lochgoil, was built for the Lochgoil and Lochlong Steam Boat Company in 1835 by Messrs Hunter & Dow of Glasgow. This allowed the St Catherine to sail on the Arrochar and Loch Lomond connection.

“On Thursday evening, while the Lochgoil steamer was on the passage to this city, the pilot, named Alex. M‘Dougall, lost his life under very simple circumstances. He was in the act of throwing a rope into the ferry-boat at Bowling, when his foot slipped, and he fell headlong intothe water. the ferryman, as well as the people on board the steamer, used every exertion to save his life, but in vain; he sunk before they were able to lay hold of him. The master of the Lochgoil delayed its sailing for some time, in the hopes of finding the body, but, after making considerable search, the vessel had to proceed without it. The master however, remained behind, using the most praiseworthy exertions for its recovery.”—Caledonian Mercury, September 10, 1835

The Dumbarton steamboats continued to provide opposition, and when the St Catherine was sold in 1836, it was the Dumbarton steamboats that provided the main connection service to Arrochar, a situation that lasted into the new decade and beyond.

Glasgow Herald, July, 1836

In addition to the scheduled sailings in connection with the Loch Lomond traffic, there was also significant excursion traffic to Arrochar, and the Dumbarton Company offered some connections to attract tourists.

Glasgow Herald, April 7, 1836

Glasgow herald, August 1836

As noted in the July advertisement, The Dumbarton Company was anxious to sell one of its steam-boats in 1836, and it was the oldest of the trio, Leven, that was sold to run to Arran from Ardrossan. This left the New Dumbarton, an older wooden-hulled steamer, built in 1824, and the iron-hulled Vale of Leven of 1836 to carry on the trade.

Vale of Leven

Glasgow Herald, May 1837

Glasgow Herald, June 1837

Again, it was the older New Dumbarton that was relegated to the Arrochar trade. With only two steam-boats available, the Arrochar connection was prone to disruption when mechanical difficulties appeared.

Glasgow Herald, May 1838

Glasgow Herald, May 1838

Glasgow Herald, July 1838

Arrochar achieved some notoriety in the 1830s with the sailing of steam-boats on Communion Sundays. One of the steamers involved in these Sabbath excursions was the Queen of Scots, an early iron steamer that was built in 1838. She had insufficient framing from her mid-ships aft so that her plates moved and she was prone to leaks. Her usual sailings were varied but mainly to Largs and Millport. She was moved to the calmer waters of Loch Lomond around 1842.

“The Synod of Glasgow and Ayr brought the matter to the fore when the issue of Sunday trains was being debated. Mr Fowler called attention to the sailing of one or more steam-boats on Sabbath, under pretence of carrying people to the communion at Arrochar, and wished to hear from the minister of Arrochar his opinion on the effect caused by this desecration.

“Mr Proudfoot said, from an experience of several years, he was satisfied that of the crowds who came to Arrochar on communion Sabbath, a very small proportion go either to the church or the tent. The real object seemed to be to view the splendid scenery of the neighbourhood. Some years ago the Presbytery of Dumbarton took the matter up, but without success. He thought such desecration had not produced any injurious effects on the people of Arrochar.”—The Witness, October 21, 1840.

In fact, this practice had started as early as 1824 but it would appear that nothing was done to prevent it. The absence of a pier at Arrochar would seem to have facilitated the desecration.

“At Meeting of the Presbytery Dumbarton on Tuesday week, the practice of sailing Steam-boats from Greenock up Loch Long Sunday on Sunday was taken under consideration. Mr Proudfoot, of Arrochar, who brought the subject before the Presbytery, stated, that on his communion Sabbath, no fewer than five boats, crowded with passengers, had sailed up the Loch. There might, he supposed, be in all about 400 passengers, and not more than 30 of them, he was certain, came to the church or tent—a clear proof that the Arrochar sacrament was mere pretext for profaning the Sabbath. A committee of four members of the Presbytery, appointed to take steps, if possible, towards the preventing of a similar abuse in future.”—Inverness Courier, February 26, 1824

It would appear the practice continued.

 “In Arrochar, for example, as well as in many other parts of the country, the sacred season of the communion has long been desecrated by a visitation of nearly as intolerable a kind as can well be inflicted upon a Christian people. Regularly as the Communion Sabbath approaches, steam boats are hired, public notification of the intended desecration is made—to the ensnaring of hundreds more or less wickedly disposed—and, throughout the whole of this most solemn day, the quiet shores of Loch Long are literally overrun by the self-imported blackguardism of Glasgow and the intermediate ports along the Clyde. The practice in question has hitherto been confined to the certainly most ill-timed season referred to, and also to the mere filth and off-scourings of our people.”—Caledonian Mercury, December 4, 1841

It was in August 1840 that Elvira Anna Phipps journeyed from London to Greenock to stay with Lieutenant-General Darroch of Gourock House and tour the surrounding district over the following weeks. In her journal, “Memorials of Clutha,” published the following year, she describes an evening trip to Dumbarton on the Vale of Leven, and the next morning traveled to Balloch and sailed up Loch Lomond to Tarbet where she landed by boat. Unfortunately, her luggage received a ducking in the Loch. Her party then walked to Arrochar and she had time to include a sketch of the waiting steam-boat before again embarking by means of a small ferry and returning to Greenock.

Steamboat at Arrochar, possibly Prince Albert (Phipps)

Glasgow Herald, April 1840

Glasgow Herald, May 1840

Glasgow Herald, July 1840

Embarking on the steam-boats from small boats rowed from the shore was fraught with potential difficulties and it is surprising that accidents were not more common. The inexperience of the boatmen was perhaps the largest contributing factor when accidents did occur.

“Providential Escape.—On Saturday last, when the Vale of Leven steam boat was returning from Arrochar, the passengers were thrown into a dreadful state of excitement and alarm by the following circumstance:—When about half way down Loch Long, near to Finnart, a boat was seen approaching the vessel with a quantity luggage, and having on board four men, a woman, and two children. The steam was taken off, and everything carefully managed for their reception; but by some gross mismanagement, the small boat was steered right in front, and under the frame of the paddles. There being still little way on the vessel, the boat was upset in an instant, and its whole cargo tumbled into the Loch. It is needless to say what a sensation of intense dismay this accident produced, but no cry was heard save the frantic wail of the husband and parent of the woman and the children, who witnessed the fate of his family from the shore. In an instant the captain of the steamer, who behaved with great coolness and intrepidity in the circumstances, had his boat lowered, and was in search of the sufferers—a boat being also put off from the shore for the same purpose. When the small boat capsized at first, she immediately drifted, and none of the unfortunate people who were in her were to be seen, except a man who had got on her keel, and who was endeavouring, without effect, to catch hold of the poor woman, who had one her children in her arms, and seemed to be entangled in some way about the boat. These, too, were soon rescued, but the poor woman recollecting she had lost one child, her grief was too great for our description. Without losing a moment search was made for her other infant, which was got safe out from under the capsized boat. This was now four that was accounted for out of the seven immersed, and it was soon discovered that three of the men had clung to the paddle-wheels of the steamer when the boat swamped, and these were also got out in a very poor plight; and the whole seven persons, who had thus been rescued so providentially from a watery grave, were conveyed on shore to their rejoiced and grateful friends. How fortunate it was that the steam was not set on for an instant, in order to near the boat when she drifted! In that case, all the three men who were clinging to the wheels must have perished. Since writing the above we have received a letter from a gentleman in Paisley, who was on board the steamer at the time. He says:—“I never saw such gross mismanagement in all my life, as was displayed by the rowers in the ferry-boat. Indeed, it might be fairly called sheer ignorance, as they did not seem to understand the manner of boarding a steamer at all; and when they did discover their error, instead of pushing off from the paddle-box, they held on, and by that means overturned the boat.”—Glasgow Constitutional.”—Northern Warder, June 29, 1841

The Dumbarton Company had added Maid of Leven in 1839 and two more steamboats, Dumbarton Castle and Prince Albert, in 1840, anticipating a rise in the tourist traffic. In March 1841, the Glasgow, Paisley and Greenock Railway was opened and the Maid of Leven and Vale of Leven were hired for railway connections but the arrangements did not last long.

Glasgow Herald, June 1842

The opening of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway also had an impact. Tours from Edinburgh to Clyde resorts were organized, one to Arrochar involving the new Duntroon Castle.

Scotsman, September 2, 1843

An account of the trip followed later.

“Pleasure trip to Loch Long—On Monday morning, the 4th September, the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway, and the Clyde steamer, Duntroon Castle, presented a scene of the most animated description; crowds of persons, many more than had been anticipated , having taken advantage of the opportunities then afforded to them for a pleasure excursion to the top of Loch Long. Indeed, more than one hundred persons had to turn away in disappointment, we believe. The railway train started from the Edinburgh terminus at seven a.m., and reaching Glasgow at nine o’clock or so, the party crossed immediately to the Clyde, where they embarked on board the Duntroon Castle, a fine steamer, of beautiful mould and great sailing powers. Soon after leaving the Broomielaw, a rather startling incident occurred. A boy, nine or ten years old, leaning incautiously over the bulwark of the vessel, fell into the water behind the paddle-box. Luckily, the agitated waves in the wake of the paddles bore him up, until a boat, then chancing to be off shore, pulled out and picked him up, when, the steamer having stopped, he was restored to his agonised mother on board. The vessel then continued its course, and the day being fine, Dumbarton, the lower frith, and the Isle of Arran, were beautifully shown to the voyagers, ere they turned into Loch Long. For twenty-four miles afterwards, they had a delightful inland sail, and could observe, on the western shore, the pretty watering-place of Ardentinny, where Lord Dunmore has a seat, and which Tannahill has celebrated in his song of the “Lass of Arranteenie.” More and more romantic grew the scenery towards the upper part of Loch Long, and more particularly where Loch Goil shoots its waters betwixt bold and lofty precipices on the Argyleshire side. The journey of Monday ceased at the romantic inn of Arrochar, once the seat of the chiefs of Macfarlane; but many of the voyagers crossed the neck of land, a mile or so in breadth, behind Arrochar, and had a view of the queen of the lochs in this region, Loch Lomond, with the noble mountain overhanging its eastern shore. Betwixt four and five p.m. all the stragglers again assembled on board the Duntroon Castle, and the “ocean-churner” made her way homewards. Perhaps the most pleasing part of the excursion was the return  when the setting sun of a lovely evening enhanced the prospect around, tinging here the waters with gold, and there diversifying some bold eminence with light and shade. Gourock, Grcenock, Dumbarton, and other prominent objects, were then seen in greatest perfection. Safely did the excursionists arrive in Glasgow, and safely did the train bear them thence to Edinburgh. Altogether, while the trip must have been profitable beyond expectation to its originators, low as the fares were, it could not fail of pleasing all who were present on the occasion. We trust that, ere the fine weather passes away, such things will be more than once renewed.”—Scotsman, September 6, 1843

Duntroon Castle

The trip was repeated with first-class accommodation only and a substantial increase in the fare!

Scotsman, September 20, 1843

In 1843, a new company was formed to place a competing steamer on Loch Lomond, one that caters not just for the summer tourist trade but would run year-round and would carry goods as well as passengers. The following year, the company purchased the Waterwitch, an iron steam-boat built in 1843 to run to Kilmun for owners who had subsequently faced bankruptcy. She was 130 feet in length, much larger than the Lochlomond and powered by a 50 h.p. engine. After protracted negotiations the new company combined with the older one and Lochlomond was sold in 1846 to sail on the Caledonian Canal.

The Vale of Leven continued to be the primary Arrochar steamer.

Greenock Advertiser, June 4, 1844

In 1845, the new Lochlomond was built for the Dumbarton Company by Messrs Denny. She had a visit to Arrochar to open the season when Prince Albert took over as the regular vessel on the station.

“On Friday there was launched from the new building yard of Messrs. Denny, Brothers. Dumbarton, a splendid iron steamer called the Lochlomond, belonging to the old Dumbarton Steam boat Company. She is possessed of the most elegant and exquisite symmetry of mould and workmanship; and is generally allowed, by competent judges who have examined her, one of the most handsome river steamers yet built; and she is expected to equal for trigness and speed any that has ever appeared on surface of the Clyde or Leven. It is said that she is to make the daily tour of all the watering places on the Clyde, during the summer months—wafting pleasure parties in her rapid excursions, with safety, comfort, and delight. The Lochlomond is to under the charge of that experienced and popular commander, Captain James Lang, formerly of the Prince Albert. Her draught water will be little over two feet, with engines, &c., on board—

“An iron vessel floating on the wave, Light canoe from bark of Indian tree.”—Greenock Advertiser, May 20, 1845

Glasgow Herald, June 2, 1845

Lochlomond of 1845

The connections offered by the combination of steam-boats and coaches with the Loch Lomond steamboats is of interest.

Glasgow Citizen, July 5, 1845

A new service opened in 1846 when the Dumbarton veteran cargo boat, Dumbuck, back from a time sailing to the western isles, offered a service to Arrochar in connection with trains from the Greenock Railway.

Greenock Advertiser, July 21, 1846

The Dumbarton Company were at their zenith and in 1846, produced a further fine addition to their service. Although designed specifically for the Glasgow and Dumbarton station, she was also to be found on the increasingly important Arrochar tourist route.

“Launches at Dumbarton. —On Friday last, there were launched from the building yard of Messrs Denny Brothers, two splendid specimens of iron ship building. These two vessels were built within a few feet each other, and they both glided into the water at the same moment, amidst the deafening cheers of a vast concourse of spectators, who had congregated to witness the novel and interesting spectacle; the one, a steamer named the Premier, intended to supply a want long and justly complained of on the station betwixt Glasgow and Dumbarton, viz., a passenger boat, being especially built for sailing on a very light draught of water, enabling her at all times to start precisely at the hours advertised—and carrying goods—elegantly fitted up, and to be commanded by Mr John Wilson, at present captain the Dumbarton Castle steamer (whose attention to the comfort of the passengers is so well known). She must form a great acquisition to that important station. The other vessel is a beautiful schooner called the Annabro’, intended for the coasting trade, and fitted up for a screw propeller. Both vessels do great credit to the builders for their beauty of model and workmanship.”—Greenock Advertiser, July 10, 1846

The Lochgoil Company in the meantime had faced some difficulties. In 1842, their first iron-hulled vessel, Lochlong was added and the old Lochgoil was sold in 1846. The advances made by the new castle steamboats such as Duntroon Castle had improved the route to Inverary by way of Rothesay and the Kyles of Bute. The inconvenience of transferring to a coach at Lochgilphead and then to the ferry at St Catherine’s was exacerbated as the pier at Lochgoilhead was falling into disrepair. The company took advantage of a generous offer for Lochlong in 1847 and she was sold. The service was taken over for the year by the Dumbarton steamers while new and improved vessel, Breadalbane was built.

Greenock Advertiser, June 1, 1847

A reminder that the depths of Loch Long were largely uncharted came when the Premier was holed off the shore at Arrochar. Fortunately there was only the crew on board and the situation was rapidly contained.

“The Steamer Premier.—Between Saturday night and Sabbath morning the west coast was visited by a severe gale of wind, accompanied by heavy and prolonged showers of rain. About five o’clock on the morning of Sabbath, when the storm was at its height, the fine steamer Premier, laying off Arrochar, broke from her moorings, and, drifting towards the shore, struck upon some of the large stones, which, much to our surprise, are still to be seen a great way further out than low-water mark, on the shores of Loch Long. She sprung a leak soon afterwards, and partially filled, so that it became necessary to procure some assistance. A messenger was accordingly despatched to Dumbarton, from whence the Dumbarton Castle sailed for Arrochar about 1 p.m. We are glad to learn that the Premier was got up—or off rather, as she did not wholly sink—without sustaining any very considerable damage, and arrived in the Leven on Monday morning.”—Glasgow Herald, August 27, 1847

Greenock Advertiser, June 6, 1848

Glasgow Herald, June 16, 1848

Glasgow Herald, August 8, 1848

Greenock Advertiser, September 8, 1848

Glasgow Herald, May 14, 1849

“Dumbarton Teetotalers.—On Monday last, the Dumbarton Branch of the British League of Juvenile Abstainers, were generously treated by Captain Lang of the Lochlomond steamer, with a delightful sail up Lochlong to Arrochar. The steamer in came away from the Broomielaw with her rigging decorated with colours, and on arriving at the quayside, Dumbarton, a happy party of juveniles, with their teachers, banners, flags, and music, were ready to step on board; bouquets of flowers and gay ribbons, with melodies in praise of water, were the greetings as they came; and at Port-Glasgow, Greenock, and Gourock, the assembled multitudes loudly cheered the happy throng. Amongst the adult friends was Thomas I. White, the well known and ardent-minded advocate of the cause, who, we learn, addressed the assembly present, and especially the children, sang them a song or two from his collection of Temperance Melodies. John Robinson, too, of the Vale of Leven, sang a song composed on the occasion, which was heartily cheered. At Arrochar, the children and friends had biscuit and milk; a precession was then formed and all returned orderly. And after the calls at the wharves being repeated, Mr. White gave another address, and sang the “Good Times Coming.” Cheers were then given to the Captain, and the party landed in safety, much pleased with the day’s proceedings.”—Glasgow Herald, June 29, 1849

Greenock Advertiser, June 1, 1849

Caledonian Mercury, July 5, 1849

“Pleasure Excursion of the Operative Lithographers.—On Saturday last, the operative lithographers and engravers of Glasgow, accompanied by their female relatives and acquaintances, to the number of 370 made a pleasure excursion to the head of Loch Long. The new steamer Vesper, belonging to Messrs. Henderson & M‘Kellar, was specially engaged for the occasion. This beautiful little vessel was built by Mr. Henderson at Renfrew, and has proved one of the swiftest on the river. On this occasion she left the Broomielaw at half-past seven a.m., and reached Arrochar at 11 a.m., thus, performing the distance, upwards of 50 miles, in three and a half hours. This is believed to be the quickest passage ever made from Glasgow to Arroohar. The weather in the morning was fair, and the large and respectable party enjoyed themselves to the utmost. The steamer was gaily decorated with flags. On deck quadrilles were danced to the music of an excellent band, while in the cabin numerous songs and glees were sung in good style. Having reached Arrochar, and all safely landed in small boats, under the careful surveillance of Captain Henderson, who kindly accompanied the trip, the party separated into a number of groups, and scattered themselves on the hill-side and in the woods. Several hours were here most agreeably spent, in viewing the magnificent scenery of Lochlomond and Loch Long. About two o’clock, the happiness of the party was somewhat clamped by an unfavourable change in the weather. The rain came down in torrents. The numerous rambling groups hastened back to Arrochar, and having re-embarked in the Vesper, started homewards at 4 o’clock. The cabins were, of course, given up to the ladies. The utmost hilarity and good humour prevailed. and the numerous party were safely landed at Glasgow early in the evening. This, we believe, is the first excursion of the kind undertaken by the members of a profession or trade in Glasgow; and we understand it is the intention of the same intelligent and respectable body to have a similar trip annually. The example is an excellent one and we should like to see it followed by other trades in Glasgow.”—Glasgow Herald, July 30, 1849

Greenock Advertiser, August 3, 1849

When Queen Victoria visited the Clyde in 1847, the Royal Squadron had sailed up Loch Loch but no landing was made at Arrochar. In 1849, the voyage was repeated with the idea that the Royal party would visit Loch Lomond, and some preparations were made by the local laird, Sir James Colquhoun. He extended the existing jetty.

“On Sunday, when it was considered certain that her Majesty would arrive, there was no concourse at Arrochar—no pouring in from the neighbouring country. In a walk of twenty miles, we never sighted a human being save one, and he no Queen-hunter, but a low-country doctor of divinity, taking his autumnal rest and tour. Even those who came to Arrochar Church went away much as usual, without waiting for the hourly expected visitor. The early part of the day was showery—the latter part incessant and heavy rain. Had her Majesty, however, sailed up the loch in the morning, she would have been to no small extent compensated for the want sunshine and fair prospects, by some peculiar and striking sights. The innumerable rivulets of water which tumble down the mountains overhanging the loch, were in heavy flood, and streamed down over the green hill-sides in foaming and whitened torrents. Occasionally, too, a violent gust of wind would cause a cloud of spray to fly suddenly from a crevice in the mountain side, and drift along the brow like the white smoke of artillery.

“Monday came in loweringly at Arrochar, and still no reliable news to her Majesty’s movements. The erection of the jetty was, however, resumed, and means were used to set up again triumphal arch of heather, which the wind the previous night had prostrated. When the Queen’s approach was at length announced, the jetty was not carried far enough out, and was likewise in very rude and unfinished condition. At a little before 12, the approach of the royal yacht was signalled by a gun from the yacht of our townsman, Mr L’Amy, which, lying towards the west shore, had a more distant view down the loch. A strip of red cloth was now run down the centre of the jetty, and the small crowd that had been waiting for hours under torrents of rain, began to brighten into a little animation.

“A few minutes after, the Victoria and Albert came steaming up the loch, followed, at a little distance, by the Fairy. At quarter past twelve, they both cast anchor about the middle of the channel, and slowly swung round to her moorings. At this time there was a faint attempt at sunshine, but it was checked at once by a pelting shower, which came snoring the loch with the velocity and downpouring of a waterspout. The attendants, however, and several baskets of provisions, were landed and sent across to Loch Lomond. After the royal yacht had been at anchor for an hour, in a lull of the weather, the royal barge was lowered and manned; but another shower made the sailors scamper on board, and the barge dropped astern.

“A rather amusing incident took place about this time. A gentleman came ashore from the yacht, and mentioned to a tourist who was loitering at the door of the inn, that her Majesty desired to lunch, and that the provisions had unfortunately been sent to Tarbet—adding a question to whether anything could be got in the inn. The gentleman thus addressed procured two dozen of fresh herrings and seven large loaves, with which three of the visitors in the inn—Mr MacKenzie, Union Bank, Edinburgh; Mr Lamb, bookbinder, Edinburgh; and Mr Taylor Newcastle—pulled off to the yacht. On nearing, they were asked what was wanted, and replying. “Provisions for her Majesty,” were ordered to come on board, and were soon after informed by the purveyor that what they had brought was very acceptable—and it afterwards appeared that her Majesty really lunched on the loaves and fishes.

“At three o’clock another faint prospect of clear weather was barely appreciable to windward, and the royal barge was again manned, the rowers had their oars apeak and her Majesty and Consort descended into the barge, under shelter of the awning in the stern; the royal ensign was lowered, and the barge cast off. They had only proceeded, however, a few boat’s lengths from the yacht, when a tremendous shower came on, and the Queen fairly gave it up as a hopeless case, and caused the barge be rowed back. The royal party at once ascended, and retreated to the shelter of the round-house and the royal ensign again appeared at the masthead.

“At a quarter past three the royal barge was again manned, and Prince Albert descended the accommodation ladder into it and was in a few minutes at the landing stage, where he was received by Sir James Colquhoun, Bart.; his brother, Wm. Colquboun, Esq.; Sheriff Colquhoun ; Mr Campbell of Strachur, and several other gentlemen.

“His Royal Highness at once entered one of Sir James’s carriages. and was driven off to Tarbet. He was dressed in a dark frock coat, grey trousers, a blue travelling cloak, and blue cap with a bright gold band round it. He looked well, and somewhat stouter than when we last saw him. He was enthusiastically received, and bowed repeatedly as he walked up the platform to the carriage.

“In a few minutes after Prince Albert landed, the Fairy got under way and steamed down the loch to meet his Royal Highness at Dumbarton. And at four o’clock the Victoria and Albert also weighed anchor, and proceeded to the Gairloch for the night.

“The Queen (who politely showed herself to acknowledge the cheers the passengers on board the Dumbarton Castle) was dressed in neat cottage Dunstable straw bonnet, composed of alternate rows of white and brown straw, and a grey cloak.

“In about 20 minutes after his Royal Highness left Arrochar he arrived at Tarbet (where the road had been widened, arches formed, &c.), and at once embarked on board the Water Witch steamer, which had been handsomely placed at the service of her Majesty for the day by the proprietors. The day continued rainy, and the Prince saw but little of the scenery. At a quarter to seven he arrived Balloch, where splendid preparations had been made at the cost of Mr Campbell of Tillichewan, and where a large concourse gave his Royal Highness an enthusiastic reception. Mr Campbell had provided one exceedingly handsome carriage, lined with rich white satin, drawn by six beautiful horses; two carriages and four; and a carriage and pair, the postilions being all dressed uniformly in the royal livery. Sir James Colquhoun, however, also sent his carriage, and claimed the right, as Lord Lieutenant, to convey the Prince beyond the county, to which, after some hesitation on the platform, the Prince acceded, entering Sir James’s carriage.

“The royal cortege, when it reached the entrance to the demesne of Tillichewan, diverged from the turnpike road through that entrance round the park, in front of the Castle, and out by the other gate.

“All along the road from Balloch to Dumbarton, the inhabitants had their windows decorated with flowers, in honour of the royal visit; stands were erected at various points, and the plaudits which greeted Prince Albert were almost as enthusiastic as could have been bestowed upon her Majesty herself. His royal highness reached Messrs Denny & Rankin’s wharf, at about half-past seven o’clock, when he immediately went on board the Fairy, which had come up to the Leven two hours before, and was lying ready to him. The Fairy rejoined the other steamers of the royal squadron in Roseneath Bay about half-past eight o’clock.”—Caledonian Mercury, August 16, 1849

The royal visit provided a boost for the tourist trade on Loch Lomond and particularly the route through Arrochar.

“Arrochar.—This delightful Highland retreat which her Majesty has twice visited in her aquatic excursions to the Clyde is likely to become a favourite resort, as it has always been place of great attraction from its sweet retirement and sublime scenery; and for the accommodation of travellers by that route, we understand that the Dumbarton Steam Boat Company, who have now for many years regularly plied a steamer from Glasgow to Arrochar during the summer season, have contracted for a new crack steamer in connection with the new “Royal Route,” built by those enterprising and famed marine architects and builders, Denny of Dumbarton, with all the recent improvements, to be ready in spring next; and in addition to this, that a substantial new pier or landing wharf is about to erected by Sir James Colquhoun, the popular and worthy lord of the manor, who is equally desirous of contributing to the comfort and convenience of passengers frequenting Arrochar. It is more than likely the Royal squadron may again honour this as a landing place, to enable her Majesty to survey the “Queen of Scottish Lakes,” Lochlomond, which she was prevented from doing this season by the state of the weather, although it will be recollected her Royal Consort, Prince Albert, despite the inclemency of the weather, debarked at Arrochar, and proceeded by the “Waterwitch” steamer on lochlomond to Dumbarton, and who expressed himself highly gratified with the excursion, and that he was sure her Majesty would not fail yet to enjoy the like gratification and pleasure on her next visit to the Land of Cakes.—Communicated.”—Glasgow Gazette, September 22, 1849

The next installment begins with the launch of a new steam-boat for the Arrochar route, the erection of a pier at Arrochar and the impact of the railway between Bowling and Balloch on the Dumbarton Company.