Only a short drive northwest of Glasgow is Loch Lomond, the largest lake in the United Kingdom. This picturesque loch, known as "The Queen of Scottish Lakes" by novelist Walter Scott, is a major lure for anglers thanks to its profusion of trout, salmon, and whitefish. Also, it is very well-liked by daytrippers, lovers of water sports, hikers, bicyclists, and others who are merely drawn to the area by the breathtaking scenery.
A boat tour of the loch or the much more difficult ascent of the towering Ben Lomond (3,192 feet), which offers breathtaking views of both the loch and the Trossachs, are other popular activities in this area. Visitors who are interested in local wildlife should also go to the park's Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre.
When traveling the Western Highland Way from Glasgow through the breathtaking Argyll landscape to Fort William, Loch Lomond is a fantastic starting point. At the southern end of the loch, Cameron House is a wonderful location to experience the romance of a Scottish castle, take in the lakeside air, and engage in a variety of outdoor sports, including golf. In fact, there are seven outstanding golf courses nearby.
This list of the top things to do in the area of Loch Lomond, Scotland, will help you find the best locations to visit close to this lovely lake.
1. Visit the National Park of Lake Lomond and The Trossachs
The 720 square mile Lake Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, which is the fourth-largest national park in Britain, is located in the middle of the park. Together with the Corbett summits, it also includes a number of mountain ranges, such as The Munros and Ben Lomond. Outdoor enthusiasts are lured to the region by activities including fishing, hiking, biking, climbing, boating, canoeing, and kayaking.
The region is well-liked by campers as well and offers a variety of campsites and amenities. Furthermore, licenses for up to three consecutive nights of "wild camping" are freely accessible for individuals who desire to stay "off the grid." In some of the most distant areas of the park, you can experience breathtaking sunrises and sunsets as well as stargazing.
For those who prefer a slower pace, the National Park Centre in Balmaha offers exhibits on the history and geology of the region, a number of short, easy trails, as well as activities like craft and art shows. The water can also be enjoyed in a variety of entertaining ways, such as on private excursions and waterbuses operated by the park. The park has also launched a noteworthy "dark skies" program, making it the perfect location for astronomers (check their website for details).
Joining a small-group tour of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park is a terrific way to make sure you get the most out of a vacation to this stunning region of the country. Along the journey, these enjoyable adventure tours also stop in Stirling, a historic town known for its castle. As you go out from Balloch, your driver will take you through some of Scotland's most breathtaking landscapes while making stops for treks to waterfalls and charming glens. Moreover, you'll see some wildlife while traveling (refreshments and snacks are included).
A similar theme tour that departs from Edinburgh also visits Stirling Castle and Loch Lomond. You'll also stop along the way for a nature walk and to have a closer look at the well-known Kelpies horse statues.
2. Enjoy Loch Lomond Shores' entertainment
The newest attraction on the loch, Loch Lomond Shores, which is only a 30-minute drive from Glasgow, blends in surprisingly well with the area around Balloch. This relatively humble entry to Lake Lomond and The Trossachs National Park is today one of the area's main tourist attractions, drawing crowds regardless of the weather with its long list of enjoyable activities. It was built of local stone to blend in with the breathtaking scenery all around it.
A retail center with well-known brands and locally made crafts and commodities, as well as several fantastic dining alternatives, are highlights of a visit. There are also many entertaining annual events that are held with the intention of entertaining both young and old, such as outdoor markets and Christmas fairs.
Rentals for bikes and boats, both human-powered and motorized, are included in outdoor activities and excursions. There are also accessible archery lessons, Segway trips, and a fantastic farmers market. There are two wonderful beaches that are ideal for families traveling with children and that are also wonderful places to have picnics (barbecues are available, too).
3. Bring the children to the SEA LIFE Loch Lomond Aquarium
Families enjoy visiting the SEA LIFE Loch Lomond Aquarium a lot. Highlights include Scotland's largest shark tank and an excellent walk-through underwater viewing tunnel, both of which are located in the majestic, castle-like Drumkinnon Tower. Sharks, tropical fish, and stingrays are just a few of the wonderful tropical animals you'll discover as you travel through the tunnel.
After that, kids have the opportunity to pet some of the stingrays in a designated (safe) touch tank. There are many entertaining educational programs available, but it's also worth looking into the nutrition options. The site also has a café and a fantastic rooftop patio with views of Lake Lomond.
4. Go to Inchmurrin Island
Inchmurrin, the largest of the several islands in Loch Lomond and the largest freshwater island in the UK, previously housed a 7th-century monastery and chapel devoted to Saint Mirin. The remnants of Lennox Castle, a famous hunting lodge frequented by King Robert I and later looted by the fabled Rob Roy, can also be found there.
The island is also well-known for being the location where the first haggis-throwing world record was established in 1984.
Even though it is privately owned and only reachable by water, many tourists, especially canoeists, kayakers, and pleasure boaters, enjoy it. Thanks to its restaurant and self-catering cottages, it's a perfect area to stay for a few days as well. There is even a camp for naturists for individuals who enjoy being completely naked.
Be sure to watch out for the wallabies when on the island (true story).
5. Take the Maid of the Loch for a sail.
The 208-foot-long PS Maid of the Loch, the lone survivor of a long line of paddle steamers originally located on Loch Lomond, was built in 1953 and was the final such boat to serve the train loads of visitors who would visit the area from far and wide. She was also the final steam vessel of this type to be constructed in the UK. Glasgow-built, she was shipped in pieces and put together at her current site.
The ship, which is currently operated by the nonprofit Loch Lomond Steamship Company, is berthed in Balloch. Before it can resume giving trips, both its distinctive steam slipway and the ship are undergoing restoration. Until then, guests are still allowed to tour the ship and see exhibits about its history as well as the histories of its forebears who have plied the loch since the 1880s. Also on-site are a gift shop and a tea shop.
6. Go on a West Highland Way hike
The 96-mile West Highland Way is one of Scotland's most well-known hiking paths and is also becoming more and more well-liked by mountain bikers. It draws up to 100,000 trekkers each year. From Milngavie near Glasgow to Fort William, trails wind along the banks of the picturesque Loch Lomond, passing by Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis (4,406 feet), along the way.
While people who hike the entire trail can anticipate spending up to five days doing so, there are numerous campsites and excellent lodging alternatives available along the way. To guarantee that your West Highland Way itinerary runs successfully, plan beforehand.
In Rowardennan, the Ptarmigan Lodge is a wonderful starting point for the trails. You can travel one mile along the loch's edge from here to a crag known as Rob Roy's jail. Roy is alleged to have kept captives here in the past. Before arriving in Glen Falloch, you'll also pass the Inversnaid and Beinnglas Falls.
7. Queen Elizabeth Forest Park,
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Since 1928, the Forestry Commission has owned a sizable portion of the property known as Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, which is situated close to Aberfoyle between Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. There are many different ways to explore this lovely landscape, including footpaths, bike paths, and nature trails.
The ideal place to start an expedition is at the superb Lodge Forest Visitor Center. The lodge, which is a mile north of Aberfoyle, has a café, a store, trails leading to a picturesque waterfall, the Red Squirrel Hide, and treetop hiking.
For a leisurely experience that ensures tourists won't harm the native flora and animals, canoes and kayaks are allowed. A number of charming cottages are available for rent, and camping is an option for those who want to spend a night or two in the forest.
8. Take an SS Loch Katrine cruise while in the area. William Scott
The unruly Catterin family, who previously terrorized the locals near the lake, gave Lake Katrine its name. Ellen's Isle, named after the protagonist of Walter Scott's well-known poem Lady of the Lake, is a tiny island near the eastern end of an eight-mile-long lake.
A popular day trip is a cruise on the 1900-built SS Sir Walter Scott, a former steamer that now uses biofuel. The boat takes passengers from Stronachlachar in the west to the Trossachs Pier, where they may explore the slopes and take in the breathtaking views. The loch, which provides drinking water to Glasgow, is one of the few in the area where boating is not allowed, which has led to an abundance of wildlife, including unique varieties of waterfowl.
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9. Explore Inveraray Castle.
For tours of the Scottish Highlands' southern and western regions, Inveraray serves as a convenient starting point. The village served as the scene for several Sir Walter Scott novels, as well as stories by Robert Louis Stevenson and poems by the area's poet Neil Munro. It is located on the banks of Loch Fyne and is encircled by forested hillsides. Inveraray Castle, the home of the Dukes of Argyll and a location for Downton Abbey, is the main draw.
On the ruins of a medieval fortification, this charming fairy-tale castle with its rounded corner towers and turreted conical roofs was constructed in the middle of the 18th century. The exquisite lounges are adorned with gilded stucco embellishments, and collections of fine period furniture and tapestries are among the highlights of the interior. Exhibits feature family portraits by Gainsborough, Kneller, Raeburn, Ramsay, and Hoppner as well as a sizable collection of weapons and an astounding variety of excellent china.
On-site amenities include a gift shop, a tea parlor, and a handful of luxurious rustic cabins.
See the Inveraray Prison and the Inveraray Maritime Experience afterwards. The 1911-built three-masted schooner Arctic Penguin may be found inside the museum.
10. Travel through a scenic area to the town of Auchindrain
Auchindrain Township, a small farming village kept in its former state, situated six miles southwest of Inveraray. The historic longhouses and peasant cottages are intended to depict how the West Highlands' rural population lived in the late 19th century.
The township was home to the "cottars" in addition to the smallholders of Auchindrain who cultivated their cereal crops, potatoes, and root vegetables on the flat terrain and then grazed their sheep and cattle on the hillsides. These residents were given a tiny piece of land to farm as reward for their labor.
A living area, a tiny side room, a kitchen, a bathroom, and a barn or stables were all housed together in the farmers' longhouses. The cottars, on the other hand, made a very meager living in a small hut. The visitor center has a store and café in addition to informative exhibits about the way of life of the township's former occupants (it was only abandoned in the 1960s). Make sure to look out for any daily specialities that are prepared using traditional township recipes.
11. Rob Roy Visitor Center,
The Rob Roy Visitor Center is devoted to presenting the life and times of one of Scotland's most contentious sons. It is situated in the lovely town of Callander, the entrance to The Trossachs. Rob Roy was well-known for robbing livestock and blackmailing people, even though the majority of Scots view him as a brave clan chief.
The center features videos that explore Roy's history as well as that of The Trossachs, where he established his home, in addition to displays and fascinating details of his achievements. There are also demonstrations of wearing a kilt and historical attire.