Balloch at a glance
Balloch is the gateway to Loch Lomond from Glasgow. A direct train brings you to the south end of the loch, and the pier, the country park and the shopping and leisure complex at Loch Lomond Shores are all in the same town. Bus services leave from here for Luss, Balmaha and Helensburgh.
A typical visit combines three things: a walk in the park, something to eat at the Shores and a boat trip. Each has its own opening hours and its own costs, which this page keeps apart.
Balloch Castle Country Park
The country park covers 200 acres on the southeast shore of the loch. It has woodland, meadows, formal gardens, playgrounds and a shoreline. West Dunbartonshire Council runs it, and you can enter at any hour. Local byelaws ban camping, overnight parking and drinking alcohol in the park.
The Walled Garden is usually open from 10:00 to 15:00 and is locked at night. The toilets by the castle are listed daily from 09:00 to 14:30. The council gives these as the winter hours and says summer hours are longer, so allow for a shorter window out of season.
About the castle: the building you see today is a mansion, built in 1808 according to the council. The medieval castle that gave the place its name left traces in the grounds rather than a building. The house is the landmark of the park, so come for the grounds and the view over the water. If you hope to see inside, check the current opening information before you go.
Our picks: Balloch
Two cruises from the village and the aquarium at Loch Lomond Shores.
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.
Two-hour island cruise on Loch Lomond
A two-hour round trip with captain, crew and live commentary.
Check availability →
One-hour sightseeing cruise on Loch Lomond
One hour on the loch with live commentary from a historian or archaeologist guide.
Check availability →
Aquarium ticket at Loch Lomond Shores
Entry to the aquarium, daily talks and animal feedings on the day's schedule.
Check availability →Loch Lomond tours and cruises
Boat trips, day tours and guided visits around Balloch and the loch, with live prices and availability.
Loch Lomond Shores
Loch Lomond Shores is a complex of shops, restaurants and separate leisure attractions, including SEA LIFE. Tickets for those attractions are separate, and they are not an entry fee for the country park. The Shores website is not a shared price list for everything on site.
Parking has been paid since 28 January 2026. Older advice that says parking is free no longer applies. You pay on arrival at a machine, with RingGo or with PayByPhone. Cameras read your number plate (ANPR). Blue Badge holders pay too.
| Stay | Shores car park, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Up to 30 minutes | £0.50 |
| Up to 2 hours | £1.50 |
| Up to 4 hours | £2 |
| All day | £4 |
These rates apply to the Shores car park only. Moss o' Balloch is another car park in the area and is listed as open, but do not assume it charges the same. Check the sign at the entrance, and do the same for the country park.
Trains and buses to Balloch
The railway is the simplest way in from Glasgow. Timetables change, so check the day you travel.
Train from Glasgow
The direct train from Glasgow Queen Street takes about 50 minutes on average and leaves from the Low Level platforms. ScotRail lists step-free access at Balloch. Return tickets are advertised from £7.70 (2026). That is a starting fare, not a price for every departure.
How often
ScotRail shows up to 34 trains a day, the first at 05:48 and the last at 23:37. Those times are based on a Monday timetable, so Sundays and holidays can differ.
Local buses
Bus 305 runs from Balloch to Luss, 306 to Helensburgh and 309 to Balmaha, the starting point for Conic Hill. Check the current operator and times.
Long-distance coaches
Citylink services 975 and 976 between Glasgow and Oban use a layby north of the Stoneymollan Roundabout, not the railway station. Balloch is not a stop on the West Highland Line to Oban.
Boat trips from Balloch
Sweeney's Cruise Co. sails from the pier at Balloch. Prices are adult fares from the published 2026 tariff.
| Trip | Length | Season and departures | Adult |
|---|---|---|---|
| Experience Cruise | 1 hour | April to September 10:15, 11:30, 13:00, 14:15, 15:30, 16:30. October 10:15, 11:30, 13:00, 14:15. November to March 10:15, 11:30, 13:00. | £18.50 |
| Island Discovery | 2 hours | April to October 12:30, 15:00 | £29 |
| Into the Highlands, from Loch Lomond Shores | 70 minutes | April to September 11:45, 13:15, 14:45, 16:00 | – |
| Evening Cruise | 90 minutes | – | £23.50 |
| Ferry to Luss | – | May to September from Balloch 12:30, 15:00 | £20 single |
On the Experience Cruise, 13 to 15 year olds pay £15.50, children up to 12 pay £12.50 and children under 5 are free. A family ticket costs £57 for two adults and two children, or £66 for two adults and three children. The timetable is the published season plan, not a promise of a seat on a given day. Groups of 12 or more should contact the operator directly. Wheelchair users need to ask in advance, because electric wheelchairs are not carried. More on routes and tickets is on our boat trips page.
The old landing station on the lake is part of the waterfront at Balloch. For the village further up the west shore, see Luss.
More to plan
Where to go next from Balloch.
Balloch: frequently asked questions
How long does the train from Glasgow to Balloch take?
The direct train from Glasgow Queen Street takes about 50 minutes on average. ScotRail lists up to 34 trains a day, with the first at 05:48 and the last at 23:37 on a Monday timetable.
Is parking at Loch Lomond Shores free?
No. Parking has been paid since 28 January 2026. It costs £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 as well.
Can I go inside Balloch Castle?
The building is a mansion from 1808 and is best seen from the grounds. Check the current opening information if you want to know about access to the interior.
Can I visit the country park at night?
The park can be entered 24 hours a day. Camping, overnight parking and alcohol are banned under local byelaws. SEA LIFE and other attractions at the Shores have their own tickets.
Which buses leave from Balloch?
Bus 305 goes to Luss, 306 to Helensburgh and 309 to Balmaha. The Citylink coaches between Glasgow and Oban stop in a layby north of the Stoneymollan Roundabout, not at the station.
How long is the Experience Cruise from Balloch?
It lasts one hour and runs through the southern part of the loch. The adult fare is £18.50 in 2026, and departures run from 10:15 in every season.