Our Story .
A Family Business
The Oak Tree Inn is very much a family business, opened in 1997 by Sandy and Lucy Fraser. From little acorns, the company has grown both in size and in people’s hearts, making Balmaha and The Oak Tree one of Loch Lomond's most popular destinations.
Sandy & Lucy's eight children: James, Stuart, Emma, David, Sandy Jnr, Nina, Holly and Ben have each played a vital role in the Oak Tree's growth. The Frasers are proud that their business is the area’s largest employer, providing an array of jobs across different sectors, and offering the National Living Wage.
Pictured is a team photo taken at the end of Balmaha's Braw Weekend festival, hosted by The Oak Tree Inn.
“A sincere thank you to all our customers and the hard-working team at The Oak Tree Inn, who have made The Oak Tree what it is”
Oak Tree Milestones
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1997
The Oak Tree Inn opens for the first time, in a beautiful new building
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2006
Additional B&B options open, in a series of nearby converted cottages
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2009
Balmaha Village Shop opens, serving guests and the local community
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2010
A new poly tunnel is introduced, producing fruit and vegetable for use in our meals
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2012
The Oak Tree is named Scotland’s pub of the year for the first time
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2013
Loch Lomond Ice Cream is launched, homemade on-site in Balmaha
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2014
The first St Mocha Coffee Shop and Ice Cream Parlour opens in Balmaha
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2014
The Tom Weir Statue opens in Balmaha, looked after by The Oak Tree Inn
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2015
10,000 attend Balmaha’s Braw Weekend, our festival of food & music
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2016
The first St Mocha Coffee Shop outside of Balmaha opens at the seasonal kiosk on Luss Pier.
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2016
VisitScotland features The Oak Tree in their global advertising campaign
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2017
We introduce a new pontoon, which brings new water-based activities to Balmaha
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2017
Loch Lomond Coffee Co., the National Park’s first artisan coffee roasting facility, opens in Balmaha
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2019
The Station, another St Mocha Coffee Shop, opens at Aberfoyle in the Trossachs.
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2020
The latest St Mocha, the UK’s first drive-thru artisan coffee shop, opens at Carbeth.
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2021
Sandy Fraser wins a lifetime achievement award at the Scottish Pub & Club Awards.