Loch Lomond - a Scottish Holiday Destination

Where is Loch Lomond?

Loch Lomond - in central Scotland and at the heart of The Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, is ideally located for a holiday in the Scottish Highlands. Easily accessible by car, by rail and by bus, it is a holiday destination in its own right as well as being a suitable base for exploring the rest of Scotland.

Fourteen miles from Glasgow airport, twenty-two miles from Glasgow city centre and sixty miles from Edinburgh, Loch Lomond is easily reached for a day trip or for a longer holiday and provides an idyllic location in which to enjoy the Scottish scenery and outdoor pursuits.

Where to go

The area of Loch Lomond favoured by visitors is the western shore and the southern end, around Balloch. There are several operators here who offer boat trips around the loch. It is also the place to to view the many pleasure craft lying in the local marina. Many visitors are intrigued by the 'Maid of the Loch', a paddle steamer which used to ply the loch but is currently undergoing restoration. Nearby, the 'Loch Lomond Shores' tourism centre attracts many visitors who can also visit the associated shopping complex and 'Loch Lomond Sealife Aquarium'.

For water sports enthusiasts the east shore from Drymen to Rowardennan has much to offer. The 'West Highland Way' follows the east shore all the way to Ardlui at Loch Lomond's north end.

The wide southern end of Loch Lomond is dotted with islands, mostly privately owned. Many of these are designated "Sites of Special Scientific Interest" and are important havens for wildlife, especially throughout the summer. Dogs are not allowed on most of the islands due to the ground nesting birds, especially from April to August. Some islands are home to historically important buildings and ancient burial grounds.