Loch Lomond, Britain’s largest loch, is just a short drive northwest of Glasgow. Referred to by author Walter Scott as “The Queen of Scottish Lakes”, this pretty lake is a huge draw for anglers and boasts plentiful trout, salmon and whitefish. It is also hugely popular with day trippers, water sports enthusiasts, walkers and cyclists as well as those simply drawn to the beautiful scenery. Boat trips around the loch are always popular, as are longer trips to majestic Ben Lomond (3192m) with its spectacular views.
Loch Lomond is a great first stop when exploring the Western Highland Way from Glasgow through the beautiful Argyll countryside to Fort William. Cameron House on the south side of the loch is an excellent place to enjoy the romance of a Scottish castle, breathe in the loch air and enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities. An old folk song about Loch Lomond known all over the world is one reason why the area attracts so many tourists. The verses tell of two Scottish soldiers after the Jacobite rising of 1745, one of whom is executed while the other is free to roam the “bonnie, bonnie banks o’ Loch Lomond”.
Read also: Tourist Attractions in Scotland
1 Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park – Britain’s fourth largest national park – covers an area of 720 sq mi with Loch Lomond at its centre. It also contains a number of mountain ranges, including The Munros and Ben Lomond, as well as the Corbett Peaks. The area is extremely popular with outdoor enthusiasts, who are drawn here for things to do such as hiking, biking, boating, canoeing, and kayaking. For those looking for a more leisurely pace, visit the National Park Center located in Balmaha with its displays relating to the history of the area and geology, a variety of easy trails, as well as events such as arts and crafts shows.
Hours: National Park Center – Mon-Fri, 8:30am – 5:00pm
Open access
Location: Carrochan, Carrochan Rd, Balloch
Official site: www.lochlomond-trossachs.org
2 The Island of Inchmurrin
The largest of Loch Lomond’s many islands, Inchmurrin was once home to a 7th century monastery and chapel dedicated to Saint Mirin. It is also where you will find the ruins of the 8th century Lennox Castle, famous as a hunting lodge used by King Robert I and later robbed by the legendary Rob Roy. The island is also famous as the place where the first “haggis hurling” world record was set in 1984. Although privately owned, it is popular with tourists (particularly canoeists, kayakers and pleasure boaters) for its self-catering cottages and restaurant.
Location: Inchmurrin Island, Loch Lomond
Official site: www.inchmurrin-lochlomond.com
3 Maid of the Loch
The only survivor of a long line of paddle steamers based on Loch Lomond, Maid of the Loch was built in 1953 and was the last such ship that the train served many tourists who would visit the area from far and wide. Located at its berth in Balloch, the ship and its unique steam slipway will be restored prior to offering excursions again. Until then, the ship will continue to welcome visitors to view exhibitions about its history, as well as that of its predecessors who have plowed the loch since 1880. A tea shop and gift shop are also provided.
Hours: Sat, 11am – 4pm (Apr-May); Daily, 11am – 4pm (June-Aug)
Open access
Address: Loch Lomond Steamship Company, The Pier, Pier Rd, Balloch
Official site: www.maidoftheloch.com
4 The West Highland Way
One of Scotland’s most popular walking routes, the 96 mi West Highland Way attracts nearly 100,000 walkers every year. Trails follow the shores of Loch Lomond as it winds from Milngavie near Glasgow all the way to Fort William – en route to Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, (4,406ft). A good place to pick up the trails is Ptarmigan Lodge in Rowardennan, from where you can take the Lochside trail for a mile until you reach a rocky outcrop called Rob Roy’s Jail. Here Roy would be held hostage. You also pass the Inversnaid and Beinglas Falls before reaching Glen Falloch.
5 Queen Elizabeth Forest Park
Queen Elizabeth Forest Park is a large stretch of land between Loch Lomond and the Trossachs that has been part of the Forestry Commission since 1928. Hiking trails, cycle routes and nature trails are just some of the ways to explore this beautiful landscape. The excellent Lodge Forest Visitor Centre is the best place to start an excursion. The lodge is located 1 mile north of Aberfoyle and offers a cafe and shop, trails leading to a beautiful waterfallthe Red Squirrel Mountain hiking and trekking.
Opening hours: daily from 10am to 5pm
Open access
Location: Aberfoyle
Official Site: https://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/forest-parks/queen-elizabeth-forest-park
6 Loch Katrine and the SS Sir Walter Scott
Loch Katrine takes its name from the lawless Catterin family who once enslaved the inhabitants of the loch. The small island at the eastern end of this eight-mile lake is known as Ellen’s Island, after the heroine in Walter Scott’s famous poem, Lady of the Lake. A popular day trip includes one journey aboard the SS Sir Walter Scott, a former steamboat (it now runs on biofuel) built in 1900. The boat travels from Stronachlachar in the west to Trossachs Pier, dropping passengers off to explore the hills and discover spectacular views. The lake is one of the few in the area where boating is not allowed (it provides drinking water to Glasgow), which has resulted in an abundance of wildlife, including rare waterfowl species.
Official site: www.lochkatrine.com
7Inveraray Castle
Pretty Inveraray is a good base for tours of the southern and western parts of the Highlands. Situated on the shores of Loch Fyne and surrounded by wooded hills, the town has been the setting for several novels by Sir Walter Scott, as well as stories by Robert Louis Stevenson and works by local poet Neil Munro. The main attraction is Inveraray Castle, seat of the Dukes of Argyll. This beautiful fairytale castle with its rounded corner towers and turrets with conical roofs was built in the mid-18th century on the foundations of a medieval fortress. Fine antique furniture, tapestries and gilded stucco ornaments decorate the elegant lounges. Displays include a large collection of weapons and an amazing array of fine china, as well as family portraits of Gainsborough, Kneller, Raeburn, Ramsay and Hoppner. Afterwards a visit to the Inveraray Prison and the Inveraray Maritime Experience, home to the three-masted schooner Arctic Penguin, was launched in 1911.
Hours: Daily, 10am – 5:45pm (Apr-Oct)
Admission: Adults, £10; Children (under 16), £7; Families, £29
Location: Inveraray, Argyll
Official site: www.inveraray-castle.com
8 Auchindrain Township
Located 6 miles southwest of Inveraray, Auchindrain Township is a small farming community maintained in its original condition. The traditional longhouses and barns are intended to show how the rural population of the West Highlands lived in the late 19th century. Apart from the small farmers of Auchindrain who grew their grain crops, potatoes and tubers on the flat land and then grazed their sheep and cattle on the hills, the commune was also home to the “cottars” who received a small piece of land as payment for their work. land they were allowed to cultivate. The longhouses of the farmers consisted of a living room, a small side room, a kitchen, a toilet and a shed or stables all under one roof, while the cottars made a very simple existence in a simple hut. The visitor center offers interesting exhibits about the lifestyle of the township’s former residents (it wasn’t vacated until the 1960s), as well as a shop and café (check for daily specials made from recipes that were once common in the township).
Hours: Daily, 10am-5pm (Apr-Oct)
Address: Auchindrain, Furnace, Inveraray, Argyll
Official site: www.auchindrain.org.uk
9 Rob Roy’s story
Located in the picturesque town of Callander – gateway to the Trossachs, the Rob Roy Visitor Center is dedicated to portraying the life and times of one of Scotland’s most controversial sons. Although most in Scotland consider Rob Roy to be a heroic clan leader, he was also widely known as a cattle thief and extortionist. As well as exhibits and fascinating details of his exploits, the center shows films about the history of Roy and the Trossachs, where he made his home. Demonstrations of period costumes and area kilt-wear are also provided.
Entry: £1.50
Location: Ancaster Square, Callander
Official site: www.stirling.co.uk/attractions/robroy.htm
Where to Stay near Loch Lomond for Sightseeing
We recommend these charming hotels with easy access to Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park and other top attractions in the area:
- Knockderry House Hotel: lakeside luxury, 1846 country house, individually decorated rooms, cozy lounge, walking tours.
- Monachyle Mhor: 3-star hotel, 18th-century farmhouse, lake views, luxury restaurant, free breakfast, walking and fishing.
- The Lake of Menteith Hotel: mid-range pricing, beautiful lakeside setting, Scottish breakfast included, lakeside garden.
- Premier Inn Glasgow (Milngavie) Hotel: budget hotel, between Glasgow and Loch Lomond, modern decor, family rooms, free breakfast.
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