11 Top Attractions & Things to Do around Loch Lomond

Loch Lomond, Britain's largest lake, is just a short drive northwest of the major Scottish city of Glasgow. Famously referred to by author Walter Scott as "The Queen of Scottish Lakes," this lovely loch is a huge draw for anglers and boasts plentiful trout, salmon, and whitefish. It's also extremely popular among day-trippers from Glasgow and Edinburgh, water sports enthusiasts, hikers, and bikers, as well as those simply drawn by the wonderful scenery.

Other popular things to do here include taking a boat cruise around the loch, or embarking on the much longer trek up majestic Ben Lomond (3,192 feet) with its spectacular views over the loch and The Trossachs. Those interested in native wildlife should also visit the Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre located within the park. Loch Lomond is a great first stop when touring the Western Highland Way from Glasgow through the beautiful Argyll countryside to Fort William.

Want to make a fun Scottish weekend getaway of it? Cameron House, an elegant 5-star luxury hotel located at the south end of the loch, is an excellent place for you to stop and savor the romance of a Scottish castle, breathe in the lakeside air, and enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities. Golfers in particular will love the area as there are seven great golf courses located in the vicinity.

Discover the best places to visit near this beautiful lake with our list of the top things to do around Loch Lomond, Scotland.

Explore Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

Britain's fourth largest such park, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park is also one of the most visited attractions in Scotland. Covering an area of 720 square miles with Loch Lomond at its center, this area of outstanding natural beauty also incorporates a number of mountain ranges, including The Munros and Ben Lomond, as well as the Corbett peaks.

Given this abundance of remarkable scenery, the area is an extremely popular place to visit among outdoor enthusiasts. For them, the big draw is pursuing adventurous things to do such as fishing, hiking, biking, climbing, boating, canoeing, and kayaking.

The area is also popular among camping enthusiasts, and boasts a wide range of campsites and facilities. Those wanting to camp "off-grid" can do so, too; permits for a maximum of three consecutive nights are easily available for those hankering for a little "wild camping." You'll enjoy spectacular sunsets and sunrises, as well as stargazing, in some of the remotest corners of the park.

For those seeking a more sedate pace, visit the Balmaha Visitor Centre. Located in the small village of Balmaha, it contains fascinating displays regarding the area's history and geology, a variety of easy trails, as well as events such as craft and art shows. There are also a variety of fun ways to experience the water, too, including a park-run waterbus service and private cruises. The park has also started an impressive "dark skies" program, making it an ideal place for stargazers (check their website for schedule details).

Location: 20 Carrochan Road, Balloch, Alexandria, Scotland

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Be Entertained at Loch Lomond Shores

Loch Lomond Shores, the newest attraction on the loch and an easy 30-minute drive from downtown Glasgow, fits in surprisingly well with its surroundings near Balloch.

Constructed of local stone to ensure it blends in with the stunning scenery everywhere around it, this once modest entranceway to Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park is now one of the region's top tourist attractions, drawing crowds whatever the weather with its long list of fun things to do.

Highlights of a visit include a shopping mall offering big-name brands along with locally produced crafts and goods, as well as plenty of great dining options. There are also numerous fun year-round events hosted that are aimed at keeping young and old alike entertained, from outdoor markets to Christmas fairs.

Outdoor activities and adventures include bike and boat rentals, with both people-powered and motorized options available. Segway tours and archery programs are also available, as is a great farmers market. For those traveling with kids, there are two great beaches for them to have fun on, and which also make great picnic spots. A number of barbecues are available for you to use, too.

Address: Ben Lomond Way, Balloch, Scotland

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Take the Kids to SEA LIFE Loch Lomond Aquarium

The SEA LIFE Loch Lomond Aquarium is a big draw for families. Set in the impressive, castle-like Drumkinnon Tower, highlights include the largest shark tank in Scotland, along with a superb walk-through underwater viewing tunnel. As you journey through the tunnel, you'll see a fascinating array of tropical species, including sharks, tropical fish, and stingrays.

Afterward, youngsters get the chance to touch some of the stingrays in a special touch tank that's safe for youngsters. In addition to a variety of fun learning programs, there are also feeding opportunities worth checking out. This attraction also boasts a great rooftop terrace offering views over Loch Lomond, and a café.

Address: Drumkinnon Tower, Ben Lomond Way, Balloch, Scotland

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Visit the Island of Inchmurrin

The largest of Loch Lomond's numerous islands and the largest freshwater island in the UK, Inchmurrin was once home to a 7th-century monastery and chapel dedicated to Saint Mirin. It's also where you'll find the ruins of 8th-century Lennox Castle, famous as a hunting lodge used by King Robert I and later robbed by the legendary Rob Roy.

Although privately owned and accessible only by boat, it's popular with tourists, particularly canoeists, kayakers, and pleasure boaters. It's also a great place to spend a few days thanks to its self-catering cottages and restaurant. For those who like going au naturel, there's even a naturist camp.

While visiting the island, be sure to keep an eye out for the wallabies. Imported to the island by the Countess of Arran in the 1940s, these red-necked wallabies have become a permanent fixture and have the distinction of being one of the only such populations outside of Australia.

Another curious fact about this charming island: it's also famous as the place where the first-ever haggis-hurling world record was set in 1984.

Location: Inchmurrin Island, Loch Lomond, Scotland

Sail Aboard the Maid of the Loch

The sole survivor of a long line of paddle steamers once based on Loch Lomond, the 208-foot-long PS Maid of the Loch was built in 1953 and was the last such vessel to serve the train loads of tourists who would visit the area from far and wide. She was also the last such steam vessel built in the UK, and was shipped in pieces from Glasgow and assembled at her present location.

Located at its berth at Balloch, the ship, now run by the non-profit Loch Lomond Steamship Company, along with its unique steam slipway, is being restored prior to once again offering excursions. Until then, the ship continues to welcome visitors to view displays regarding its history, as well as that of its predecessors who plied the loch since the 1880s. A tea shop and gift shop are also located on-site.

Address: The Pier, Pier Road, Balloch, Scotland

Hike the West Highland Way

One of Scotland's most popular hiking routes, and one that's becoming increasingly popular among mountain bikers, the 96-mile-long West Highland Way attracts close to 100,000 walkers annually, a third of whom traverse the whole route. Trails follow the banks of lovely Loch Lomond as it winds from Milngavie near Glasgow all the way to Fort William, taking in Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis, (4,406 feet), along the way.

A number of campsites and great accommodation options are available at various points on the journey, as those trekking the whole trail can expect to spend up to five or more days doing so. Plan in advance to ensure your West Highland Way itinerary goes smoothly, especially if you're planning on making a memorable Scottish weekend break of it.

A good place to pick up the trails is Ptarmigan Lodge in Rowardennan. From here, you can take the loch-side path for a mile until reaching a crag called Rob Roy's prison. This is where Roy was once said to have held hostages. You'll also pass the Inversnaid and Beinnglas Falls before reaching Glen Falloch.

Address: Carrochan, Carrochan Road, Balloch, Scotland

Queen Elizabeth Forest Park

Queen Elizabeth Forest Park is a large area of land situated between Loch Lomond and the Trossachs near Aberfoyle. It has been part of the Forestry Commission since 1928. Footpaths and bike and nature trails are just some of the ways to explore this beautiful countryside.

The excellent Lodge Forest Visitor Centre is the best place to begin an excursion. Located a mile north of Aberfoyle, the lodge includes a café and shop, pathways leading to a lovely waterfall, the Red Squirrel Hide, as well as treetop trekking.

Canoes and kayaks are permitted for soft-paddling, an unhurried adventure that ensures visitors won't disturb the local flora and fauna. For those wanting to spend a night or two in the forest, camping is available, and a number of quaint cabins can be rented.

Location: Aberfoyle, Scotland

Visit Loch Katrine for a Cruise on the SS Sir Walter Scott

Loch Katrine takes its name from the lawless Catterin family who once instilled fear in the lakeside's inhabitants. The tiny island at the eastern end of this eight-mile-long 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 a cruise aboard the SS Sir Walter Scott, a former steamer that now runs on biofuel. Built in 1900, this historic vessel travels from Stronachlachar in the west to the Trossachs Pier, dropping passengers off to explore the hills and discover spectacular views.

Two other newer vessels also ply the lake, and even offer fun winter cruise options. These newer vessels also offer snack and beverage options as well as weather-proof indoor seating.

This loch is one of the few in the areas where boating isn't permitted, as it provides drinking water to Glasgow. This simple fact has resulted in its being home to an abundance of wildlife, including rare breeds of waterfowl.

Take a Tour of Inveraray Castle

Inveraray makes a good base for tours of both the southern and western sections of the Scottish Highlands. Situated on the banks of Loch Fyne and surrounded by wooded hillsides, the town was 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 principal attraction here is Inveraray Castle, the seat of the Dukes of Argyll, and a star of Downton Abbey. This lovely fairy-tale Inveraray Castle, with its round corner towers and turreted conical roofs, was built in the middle of the 18th century on the foundations of a medieval fortress.

Interior highlights include collections of fine period furniture and tapestries, and gilded stucco ornaments decorate the elegant lounges. Displays include a large collection of weapons and an amazing range of fine porcelain, as well as family portraits by Gainsborough, Kneller, Raeburn, Ramsay, and Hoppner. A gift shop and tearoom are located on-site, as well as a number of well-appointed rustic cottages.

Afterward, pay a visit to the Inveraray Jail and the Inveraray Maritime Experience. The museum is home to the three-masted schooner Arctic Penguin, launched in 1911.

Address: Inveraray PA32 8XE, Scotland

Take a Scenic Drive to Auchindrain Township

Located six miles southwest of Inveraray, Auchindrain Township is a small farming community that has been maintained in its original condition. The traditional longhouses and peasant cottages aim to show how the rural population of the West Highlands lived during the late 19th century.

Apart from the smallholders of Auchindrain, who grew their cereal crops, potatoes, and root vegetables on the flat land and then grazed their sheep and cattle on the hillsides, the township was also home to the "cottars." As payment for their work, these residents received a small plot of land, which they were allowed to cultivate.

The farmers' longhouses consisted of a living room, small side room, kitchen, toilet, and barn or stables all under one roof. The cottars, however, eked out a very humble existence in a simple hut.

The visitor center offers interesting displays regarding the lifestyle of the township's former residents, the last of whom only vacated the village in the 1960s. There's also a shop and café. Be sure to check for daily specials made from recipes once common in the community.

Address: Auchindrain, Furnace, Inveraray, Argyll, Scotland

The Rob Roy Visitor Centre

Located in the picturesque town of Callander, the gateway to The Trossachs, the Rob Roy Visitor Centre is dedicated to portraying the life and times of one of Scotland's most contentious sons. While most in Scotland regard Rob Roy as a heroic clan leader, he was also widely known as a cattle thief and blackmailer.

In addition to exhibits and fascinating details of his exploits, the center shows films detailing the history of Roy, as well as The Trossachs, where he made his home. Demonstrations of period costumes and kilt-wearing are also provided.

Location: Ancaster Square, Callander, Scotland

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Nearby Things to Do: Located just 25 miles northwest of Glasgow, Loch Lomond is a great jumping-off point for side trips to the port city of Glasgow. Home to plenty of great shopping, dining, and entertainment opportunities, Glasgow also boasts many world-class attractions including a cathedral, museums, and art galleries. Carry on another 20 minutes past Glasgow, and you'll find yourself in Ayr, birthplace of famed Scottish poet Robbie Burns. An hour-and-a-half's drive due east of Loch Lomond past Stirling, and you'll wind up in the capital city of Edinburgh, with its popular castle, great museums, and the old architecture along the Royal Mile.

Must-See Scenery: As lovely as Loch Lomond is to look at, Scotland boasts many other equally attractive tourist destinations. Among the most popular spots are the Isle of Skye, accessible by road and where you can enjoy extensive hiking trail networks taking in the gorgeous Cuillin Hills. And don't miss Loch Ness, home not just to the world's most famous sea monster, but also picturesque scenery, including the ruins of Urquhart Castle. Finally, you simply can't visit without spending at least a little time exploring the Scottish Highlands, offering not just incredible vistas and views, but great attractions, including the Culloden battlefields and Cawdor Castle.

Scotland Travel Ideas: Scotland's towns and cities are also worth exploring. Favorites include the northern city of Aberdeen, a great destination for garden lovers, who should visit during spring, as well as lovers of historic architecture. Farther south, the city of Dundee offers one of the country's leading engineering feats, the spectacular Tay Railway Bridge, which crosses the River Tay and connects to St. Andrews to the south, home to the world's most famous golf course, the Old Course at St. Andrews.