Loch Lomond at a glance
Loch Lomond is a long freshwater lake in Scotland. Its southern part is wide and dotted with islands. The northern part narrows between hills. Around it you find lakeside villages such as Balloch, Luss and Balmaha, two popular hill walks, a nature reserve on an island and a choice of boat trips.
The lake is easy to reach from Glasgow without a car. A direct train runs from Glasgow Queen Street to Balloch at the southern tip, and local buses connect Balloch with Luss and Balmaha. This site is an independent guide to the whole area, including the Trossachs to the east. It has no link to the national park authority, VisitScotland, boat operators, hotels or tour companies.
The lake and the national park
Loch Lomond is one lake inside a much larger protected area. Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park covers about 1,865 square km (720 square miles). It opened officially on 24 July 2002 and holds 21 Munros, the highest being Ben More at 1,174 m (3,852 ft), and 22 larger lochs. The park is not the same thing as the lake, and it has no single entry ticket.
Two nature reserves matter for visitors. Inchcailloch, a wooded island near Balmaha, belongs to the Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve. The Great Trossachs Forest, further east, is also a National Nature Reserve. Costs are set separately for each boat, car park and campsite, so the sections below give the price next to each item.
Our picks: Loch Lomond tours
A day trip from Glasgow, one from Edinburgh and a two-hour island cruise from Balloch.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in British pounds (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Loch Lomond, the Trossachs and Stirling Castle from Glasgow
Air-conditioned round-trip transport from Glasgow with a driver-guide and live commentary. The boat ride on the loch and Stirling Castle entry are not included.
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Loch Lomond, Stirling Castle and the Kelpies from Edinburgh
An air-conditioned bus with a driver-guide, live commentary and customer support. The boat cruise and Stirling Castle entry are not included.
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Two-hour island cruise on Loch Lomond
A two-hour round trip with captain, crew and live commentary.
Check availability →Loch Lomond tours and boat trips
Day trips from Glasgow and Edinburgh, cruises on the lake and Highland tours, with live prices and availability.
Plan your visit
The main pages of this guide, in the order most visitors need them.
Things to do in Loch Lomond
Twelve experiences, from the country park at Balloch to Loch Katrine and the West Highland Way.
Loch Lomond tours compared
Small-group day trips from Glasgow and Edinburgh, boat trips and self-guided options side by side.
Cruises and boat trips
Routes from Balloch, Luss and Tarbet, with 2026 fares, departure times and seasons.
Luss
The village on the west shore: beach, pier, cottages and where to park.
Balloch
Castle Country Park, Loch Lomond Shores and the train from Glasgow.
Ben Lomond
The route from Rowardennan, parking, timings and what to carry.
More places and practical pages
Islands, the Trossachs and the planning details.
Conic Hill
A short climb from Balmaha along the Highland Boundary Fault, with lambing-season rules for dogs.
Inchcailloch
Three island paths, the old burial ground and how to get across.
The Trossachs and Loch Katrine
The steamship, Callander and the new year-round Trossachs Explorer bus.
Glasgow to Loch Lomond
Train, bus and car, with parking notes for each village.
Weather and best time to visit
Monthly temperatures and rainfall, the midge season and boat seasons.
Where to stay
Balloch, Luss, Balmaha, Tarbet and Callander compared by location.
What to know in autumn 2026
Changes that older guides do not have. Status as of 20 October 2026.
Night works on the A82
Resurfacing north of Firkin Point runs from 7:00 pm to 6:00 am on the evenings of 18 to 22 October and 26 to 27 October 2026, with temporary lights and a 10 mph convoy. Full night closures follow: south of Tarbet from the evening of 3 November until the morning of 9 November, and north of Inverarnan from 9 November until the morning of 20 November. The diversion for Tarbet to Crianlarich adds about 27 miles (43 km) and 52 minutes. Dates can change with the weather.
Getting there →Parking at Loch Lomond Shores is paid
Since 28 January 2026 the car park charges £0.50 for up to 30 minutes, £1.50 for up to 2 hours, £2 for up to 4 hours and £4 for the day. Blue Badge holders pay too.
Balloch →Boat timetables are changing
Loch Katrine moves to its winter timetable on 26 October 2026, with motor boats instead of the daily steamship. Most Cruise Loch Lomond routes run daily until 1 November, then only on selected days.
Cruises →Camping rules and the Trossachs Explorer
Camping byelaws in four management zones apply from 1 March to 30 September. From 1 October 2026 to 28 February 2027 no seasonal permit is needed, and the Inchcailloch campsite is closed. The Trossachs Explorer bus has run all year since 29 June 2026.
Where to stay →What costs money, and what does not
There is no combined ticket, so budget by item.
Walking is free, parking is not
The National Trust for Scotland lists Ben Lomond as free to enter all year. At Rowardennan, parking is £2 for up to 1 hour or £5 for the day. Balmaha has several car parks run by different owners, so check the sign at the one you use.
Boats are priced per route
A one-hour round trip from Balloch costs £18.50 for adults in 2026. Island and Loch Katrine trips cost more. Children under 5 travel free on most Loch Lomond routes, but ask when you book.
Boat fares →Accommodation taxes come later
West Dunbartonshire plans a 5% visitor levy for stays from 1 July 2027, and Stirling plans 3% from 14 June 2027. Neither applies to a trip this autumn.
Loch Lomond: frequently asked questions
Is Loch Lomond the same as the national park?
No. Loch Lomond is the lake. The national park is a larger area of about 1,865 square km that also includes the Trossachs, Loch Katrine and many other lochs and hills. Some pages here cover the lake only, others the wider park.
How do I get from Glasgow to Loch Lomond?
The simplest way is the direct train from Glasgow Queen Street to Balloch, which takes about 50 minutes. Return tickets start at £7.70. From Balloch, buses 305 and 309 run to Luss and Balmaha. By car, the A82 leads along the west shore. Details are on the getting there page.
Is there an entry fee for Loch Lomond?
There is no ticket for the lake or the national park as a whole. You pay for individual things: car parks, boat trips and campsites. Ben Lomond is free to enter, and the country park at Balloch is open 24 hours.
How long do the boat trips take?
From Balloch, the Experience Cruise lasts 1 hour and the Island Discovery 2 hours. From Luss, the Luss Circular lasts 90 minutes. Tarbet to Inversnaid takes 30 minutes each way. The cruises page lists fares and times.
When is the best time to visit?
It depends on what you want. Boat services are fullest from late March to early November. July is the warmest month and April the driest on the Paisley reference station near Glasgow. Midges are usually around from May to October. See the weather page for monthly figures.
Is this the official Loch Lomond website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not run by the national park authority, VisitScotland, a boat operator, a hotel or a tour company. Prices are those published at the time of writing, so confirm them before you book.