In the previous article we prepared the way to talk about Things to do in Loch Lomond. In this article we will look for more Things to do in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, Scotland.
Water Activities
Because Loch Lomond & The Trossoachs National Park comprises 22 lochs and 39 miles of shoreline centered on three Clyde sea lochs, it’s no wonder that many visitors come to spend some time on or near the water. Aside from the previously stated tourist boat trips, the region provides fishing, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, diving, windsurfing, boating, seaplane rides, and sometimes even river sledging.
You’ll need a wetsuit and other suitable clothing if you want to go swimming because the water is never truly warm! Boats, wetsuits, lifejackets, canoes, paddleboards, and kayaks may all be rented in the vicinity at Loch Lomond Leisure or In Your Element. Both of the aforementioned businesses also provide guided water adventure activities such as kayaking, canoeing, canyoning, & river sledding.
If you want to go fishing, you’ll need an angling permit (see details for angling guidelines and regulations), and the Lomond Angler offers guided fishing trips (with gear).
Adventure Parks
If you enjoy adventure parks, you’ll be pleased to learn that there are plenty to choose from in this region. GoApe in Aberfoyle & TreeZone in Balloch are the two prominent ones. Both provide treetop aerial courses for older children and adults, but make sure to check the age, weight, and height limits before going.
Laurence completed the course at TreeZone and had a fantastic time despite the rain. He found the course to be both hard and user-friendly.
Treezone is located in Loch Lomond Shores, which also has a SEA LIFE aquarium, a birds of prey center, boat rental, a picnic area, and the Loch Lomond Shores retail complex. It’s a pleasant way to spend a day and a great place for families to stop. If you want to play miniature golf, head to Jurassic Parrr in Clydebank.
Enjoy the benefits of the little towns and villages
There are several tiny towns and villages dispersed across the Loch Lomond area if you prefer roaming among them. Callander, Luss, Balloch, Killin, & Carrick Castle are some of our favorite places to visit. Stop and browse a few to uncover your personal preferences.
Many towns offer tiny tourist information centers where you may get a map and learn about the area historic sites, walking pathways, and attractions. Some of these sights may also be visited on a guided walking tour, such as this tour of Callander.
Luss, a lovely conservation village on Loch Lomond’s shore, is a popular destination for many people. It boasts charming village buildings, a sand beach, cobblestone streets, and a few tiny stores. It’s a lovely hamlet with lots of things to see and do, especially on a bright day, although it may become crowded because so many bus tours stop here.
I’d enquire about any local activities or festivals that you might like to attend during your visit. If you prefer farmer’s markets, make a point of stopping by the popular local Farmer’s Market at Loch Lomond Shores in Balloch on the first and third Sundays of each month. The market sells fresh fruit, meats, fish, bread, sweets, soaps, as well as other local goods.
Stay at a charming B&B, cabin, or campground
Loch Lomond is a great area to get away with your family or significant other for a night or two in a quaint B&B, cottage, or farm stay. We enjoyed a great room with a king-sized bed, views of the hills & cows, and a fantastic cooked-to-order breakfast served on exquisite china at the quaint and friendly Loaninghead B&B!
You may check what Loch Lomond accomodation is available during your stay by searching and comparing costs for hotel and B&B alternatives. There are also several self-catering lodges and cottages in the vicinity. Rving and camping are other popular choices. Within the national park, you may go wild camping or hire a pitch (check local restrictions) or visit one of these camping & campervan sites.
Go Golfing
Golf is the national sport of Scotland, and there are several golf courses around Loch Lomond. A few are private clubs, such as Loch Lomond Golf Club, where you must be a member or be invited by one to play, but the majority are public and provide moderate pricing and gorgeous courses.
Playing the championship-standard Carrick Golf Course and staying at the neighboring Cameron House Resort & Spa are two options for those seeking for a little pampering. Make sure to reserve your tee times ahead of time, regardless of which courses you choose to play.
Look for nature
Loch Lomond is one of Scotland’s most popular natural and animal sites. Hiking, cycling, horseback riding, and nature paths abound in the Loch Lomond region, so nature enthusiasts should have no trouble finding some fantastic sites. The park’s many habitats—forest, meadows, wetlands, sea lochs, and so on—support a diverse range of plants and animals.
For wildlife enthusiasts, the region offers opportunities to witness otters, red deer, porpoises, red squirrels, pine martens, as well as a variety of bird species ranging from raptors like golden eagles to seabirds like gannets. There are several nature paths in the forests and parks, and the RSPB Scotland maintains a Nature Hub at Loch Lomond between Balloch & Drymen that is a particular area of animal conservation. In Scotland, the RSPB is a fantastic resource for wildlife knowledge.
We propose Queen Elizabeth Forest Park or Argyll Forest Park to those looking for a forest setting. The Falls of Dochart, Inversnaid Falls, Bracklinn Falls, & Falls of Falloch are just a few of the waterfalls near Loch Lomond, and waterfall fans will enjoy exploring them, with access ranging from short walks to challenging excursions. Devil’s Pulpit, a canyon in Finnich Glen south of Drymen, is a favourite picturesque destination for lovers of the TV program Outlander. If you wish to go to Finnich Glen, here are some directions for finding the Devil’s Pulpit.
Scotland also offers some of Europe’s darkest skies, including numerous locations inside Loch Lomond national park that are particularly good for stargazing on a clear night. You could even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights in the winter!
Historical & Cultural Sites
Loch Lomond, like the rest of Scotland, is rich in historical and cultural landmarks. From prehistoric cairns & stone circles to abandoned castles and a magnificent residence of 20th-century Scottish style, there’s something for everyone. Despite the fact that it is not the finest part of the nation for culture, there are some intriguing things to see and do here. Each community has its own unique history and stories to tell. The town of Tyndrum, for example, is situated on the site of Clan MacDougall’s victory against Robert the Bruce and has ties to Rob Roy MacGregor.
Those interested in Rob Roy should pay a visit to the Balquhidder Parish Church to see his tombstone. Several communities, notably Killin, Luss, and Callander, have historical paths with interpretive panels that you may follow. The Great Trossachs Art & Literature Trail, which celebrates the painters and authors who visited and were inspired by this area, such as Sir Walter Scott and William Wordsworth, may be of interest to art and literature enthusiasts.
The Auchenlaich Cairn, a neolithic chambered cairn in Callander, the Kinnell stone circle in Killin, as well as the ruins of Strathfillan Priory in Kirkton, between Crianlarich and Tyndrum, are all worth visiting for anyone interested in prehistoric through medieval history.
You may study about shipbuilding and witness the world’s first commercial ship model experiment tank at tiny museums like Denny Tank in Dumbarton.
Hill House in Helensburgh is a must-see for architecture and art enthusiasts. It is one of Scottish architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s home masterpieces.
Dumbarton Fortress, which is now a destroyed castle, has a Georgian governor’s home with antiques, 18th-century artillery defences, and breathtaking views of Ben Lomond for visitors. Similarly, Balloch Castle Country Park is a former 19th century private estate with a variety of gardens and parks as well as a view of the castle (although the interior is not open to the public).
Visitors to the park’s western side should pay a visit to the Benmore Botanic Garden, and those interested in historic churches could pay a visit to the neighboring St Munn’s Church & Argyll Mausoleum in Kilmun.
Tours of distilleries and breweries
Most tourists to Scotland stop for a whiskey tasting and/or tour at some time during their stay, and this location is a great spot to do it. Local whiskey may be sampled in almost any pub or tavern in Loch Lomond, and most bartenders should be able to provide some advise and help if you are new to whisky. If you want to see how it’s manufactured, you may visit one of the local distilleries.
None of them are technically within the national park, although depending on which portion of Loch Lomond you visit, they are all within a short distance. Glengoyne near Strathblane, Auchentoshan in Clydebank, and Deanston in Doune are the three nearest towns with public excursions. They all include whiskey tours, tastings, and the option to purchase whisky to take home.
If you prefer beer over whiskey, try a beer or cider from the Oak Tree Inn’s Balmaha Brewing Co. or a beer from the family-run Loch Lomond Brewery, all of which are served and sold across the region. Loch Lomond Brewery produces a wide range of beers and offers brewery tours on occasion.
That concludes our list of Things to do in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park! Have you been to Loch Lomond before? If so, do you have any suggestions for places to include on this list? Would you include Loch Lomond in your Scotland itinerary if you haven’t already? As always, if you have any queries regarding things to do around Loch Lomond or anywhere else in Scotland, please contact us!
**Although we’ve visited Loch Lomond before, on our most recent visit, we partnered with Love Loch Lomond, who assisted us in planning the logistics of our trip to Loch Lomond, as well as covering our lodging, some of our meals, and admission to local attractions, so that we could share our experiences as travel writers. This essay, as always, contains solely our own genuine views and opinions. More information regarding how we accept work may be found in our Ethics Code. **
