The Oak Tree Inn
I’ve worked alongside the team at The Oak Tree Inn in Balmaha, Loch Lomond, for nearly 15 years, supporting the growth and evolution of this multi-award-winning, family-run business.
Located on the eastern shores of Loch Lomond, near the foot of Ben Lomond, The Oak Tree Inn has become a key visitor destination. Alongside its well-known pub, restaurant and B&B accommodation, the business now includes a coffee shop, village shop, and Hunt the Haggis walking trail, all contributing to Balmaha’s appeal as a place to stop, stay and explore.
The Oak Tree Inn was one of my very first clients, and over the years, my role has developed into long-term marketing support across multiple areas. I’ve provided ongoing marketing consultancy, professional photography, promotional video production and PR support, helping the business stay visible, relevant and consistent as it has grown.
A significant milestone came in 2014 with the development of St Mocha Coffee Shop. I supported the launch and promotion of the brand, which quickly proved successful and was later expanded to two additional locations — The Station in Aberfoyle and the UK’s first artisan coffee drive-thru at Carbeth. Building on that success, the family went on to establish Loch Lomond Coffee Co., roasting coffee on-site and further strengthening their food and drink offering.
Alongside day-to-day marketing support, I’ve also helped with award submissions and grant applications, securing recognition and funding that enabled further business development. A key destination marketing project was the Balmaha Experience campaign, which focused on promoting East Loch Lomond as a place to spend more time, combining the area’s natural landscape with the Fraser family’s growing range of visitor facilities.
As part of that campaign, I helped organise Balmaha’s Braw Weekend, a large-scale community and visitor event that attracted over 10,000 people for food, drink and live entertainment, significantly raising Balmaha's profile as a destination.
In more recent years, my work has focused on digital infrastructure and content. I’ve designed, developed and maintained four separate websites for the group, covering The Oak Tree Inn, St Mocha Coffee Shop, Loch Lomond Coffee Co., and Conic Group, the parent company. Each site was built to be easy to manage, visually consistent, and aligned with the wider brand and visitor experience.
This long-term partnership is an excellent example of how consistent, joined-up marketing support can help a family business grow sustainably while staying rooted in place, values and community.
If you’re looking for ongoing marketing support or a trusted partner to help your business evolve, get in touch.
Client Testimonial
“I can’t recommend Paul’s services highly enough. Always very responsive, courteous, and a great eye for detail. Paul’s knowledge and expertise have really helped drive our business forward, and the websites he created have become an invaluable tool.”
Thanks for reading. Please click below to see more client projects.
