Loch Lomond

Loch Lomond is commonly visited on day tours from Glasgow, Edinburgh, and the cruise port of Greenock, with many tours and day trips stopping nearby at Oban, Inveraray, Loch Ness, Loch Awe, Stirling Castle, and William Wallace Monument. You can drive, walk, or cycle around the loch’s shores, or rent kayaks, canoes, or book tickets on a cruise from Tarbet to see the wild scenery of the north shores of the loch.

• Wheelchair- and stroller-friendly trails can be found along the shores of Loch Lomond.

• In winter, the hills and mountains become icy and snowy, and should only be tackled by those with sufficient mountaineering experience.

• Scotland is known for its notoriously changeable weather; bring layers and be prepared for sunshine one minute and rain the next.

• Bring insect repellent to fend off midges (gnats).

With its southern tip 25 miles (40 kilometers) northwest of Glasgow, Loch Lomond is an accessible wilderness. The main access points are Balloch on the south and Luss on the west. From Glasgow Queen Street, ScotRail runs a direct, 50-minute train service to Balloch and one to Arrochar and Tarbet. Driving to Balloch takes 35 minutes from Glasgow and about 90 minutes from Edinburgh. Tour typically include round-trip transport from Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Loch Lomond has year-round appeal. Spring is wildflower season, autumn brings fantastic fall foliage, and winter promises snow-dusted mountain vistas. Summer sees the most visitors and is the best option weather-wise. The vast size of the lake and the national park means the area rarely feels crowded.

Loch Lomond features more than 30 islands. Among the largest of them is Inchmurrin, home to the ruins of the 14th-century Lennox Castle. North of Inchmurrin is Inchcailloch, an easily accessible island with a 13th-century church and several attractive woodland walking trails.

If you’re a nature lover, you can easily spend a week in Loch Lomond without getting bored. There’s ample hiking opportunities, including the Trossachs National Park, which has 21 Scottish mountains (munros). It’s also possible to go climbing, cycling, canoeing, kayaking, or on a boat trip through the local area.

That depends on what you’re interested in. For scenic boat trips, Balloch is best and, for hiking, the West Highland Way is a popular choice between Balmaha and Inverarnan. A big draw is the Trossachs National Park, but some travelers come to the western side of Loch Lomond for golf.

Yes, Loch Lomond is definitely worth it, particularly if you want to connect with nature and explore the magnificent scenery of Scotland. It’s one of the largest freshwater lakes in the UK, and there are lots of pretty villages beside the Loch, such as Balloch and Luss.

Arguably the best time to visit Loch Lomond—when it comes to weather—is during the summer months of June–August. These months are great for outdoor pursuits such as hiking or boating; however, the downside is the massive crowds. Other great options include April–May, or September.

Any visit should include outdoor adventures—begin with a trail walk beside Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. Then, see the mountain views from the water with a boat trip along Loch Lomond. Finally, don’t miss the pretty villages of Luss, Balmaha, or Balloch, which have plenty of restaurant options.

Yes, it’s best to hire a car if visiting Loch Lomond as it can be tricky to get to remote locations by public transport. The beauty of this area is its vast nature spots and the driving routes, such as Duke’s Pass and the Three Lochs Forest Drive, are pretty magical too.