Loch Lomond And Balloch Overview

Immortalized by a famous 19th-century ballad, Loch Lomond and its surrounding wilderness continue to awe visitors. Britain’s largest lake is dotted by 38 islands, and its proximity to Glasgow makes it the perfect destination for a daytrip. The bonnie banks get crowded, especially during summer, when daytrippers pour into the area’s largest town. A short walk from the southern tip of the loch, Balloch is a good transportation hub beside the River Leven.

Transportation And Practical Information. The Balloch train station is on Balloch Rd., across from the TIC. Trains (☎08457 484 950) depart to Glasgow Queen St. Monday through Saturday and to Glasgow Central on Sunday (45min., 2 per hr., £4). Scottish Citylink (☎08705 505 050) runs frequent buses between Glasgow and Balloch (45min., 7 per day, £5.10), leaving about 1 mi. from the town center, north of the Balloch roundabout. These buses continue along the loch’s western shore to Luss and Tarbet. Bus #976 from Glasgow to Oban stops at the Loch Lomond Youth Hostel (below; 45min., 4 per day). First runs #204, 205, and 215 from Glassford St. between Glasgow and Balloch Town Center (1hr., frequent, £4.10). To reach the eastern side of the loch, take bus #309 from Balloch to Balmaha (25min., 5-7 per day, £2). Bus #305 heads for Luss (15min., 7-9 per day, £1.70). MacFarlane’s mail boat takes passengers between the lake’s four inhabited islands, leaving Balmaha at 11:30am (10:50am in winter) with a 1hr. stop on Inchmurrin (2hr.; July-Aug. M and W-Sa; Sept. and May-June M, Th, Sa; Oct.-Apr. M and Th; weather permitting; £8).

Balloch’s Tourist Information Centre, Balloch Rd., is in the Old Station Building, across the street from the end of the platform. (☎08707 200 607. Open daily June-Sept. 9:30am-6pm; Apr.-May 10am-6pm.) The larger National Park Gateway Centre sits 1 mi. to the north at the Loch Lomond Shores complex. (☎01389 722 199. Open daily Apr.-Sept. 9:30am-6:30pm; Oct.-Mar. 10am-5pm.)

Accommodations. Hostels don’t get much grander than   SYHA Loch Lomond , a turreted 19th-century tobacco baron’s mansion 2 mi. north of Balloch on the A85. Citylink buses to Oban and Cambelltown stop right outside, as do buses #305 and 306 from Balloch—just be sure to tell the driver where to let you off. From the train station, turn left and follow the main road three-quarters of a mile to the second roundabout. Turn right, continue 1 mi., and turn left at the sign for the hostel; it’s a short walk up the hill. Adventure-seekers can ask for the haunted room, while aesthetes can take the one with the stained-glass window. (☎01389 850 226. Self-catering kitchen; be sure to stock up before you get here. Laundry and Internet access. Dorms £15.75-17.75, under 18 £12-12.75. MC/V.) On Loch Lomond’s eastern shore, the SYHA Rowardennan , the first hostel along the West Highland Way, overlooks the lake and is convenient for exploring the region. From Balloch, take the bus to Balmaha and walk 8 mi. along the well-marked path. (☎01360 870 259. 75 beds. Basic groceries and laundry. Curfew 11:30pm. Open Apr.-Oct. Dorms £13.50-15.50, under 18 £9.50-10.50.) Several B&Bs are on Balloch Rd., close to the TIC. Across from the train station, Station Cottages , Old Luss Rd., up Balloch Rd. from the TIC, is a convenient place to park your caravan. Self-catering holiday homes are also available for rent and are popular with groups. (☎01389 755 000. Pool table, table tennis, and laundry. July-Aug. £20; Sept.-June £15-17. MC/V.)

Sights And Outdoor Activities. Stock up on supplies and information at the TIC or Gateway Centre. Ordnance Survey Explorer maps #347 and 364 (£7.50) chart the south and north of the loch, respectively, while Landranger map #56 (£6.50) gives a broader view of the entire region. The West Highland Way runs 95 mi. from Milngavie to Fort William and skirts Loch Lomond’s eastern shore, allowing for long walks. The West Highland Way official guide (£15) includes maps for each section of the route. Rising above all, Ben Lomond (3195 ft.) is the southernmost of Scotland’s 284 Munros (peaks over 3000 ft.). A popular walk departs from the 19th-century Balloch Castle and Country Park, across the River Leven from the train station, where you will find both a visitors center and a park ranger station. (Castle closed to the public.) Outside of Balmaha, the strenuous 5 mi. hike up Conic Hill rewards hikers with magnificent views of the loch. Visitors can arrange a short boat ride with MacFarlane’s mailboat (☎01360 870 214) from Balmaha to the island of Inchcailloch, where a 1 mi. walk circles around a nature preserve. The Glasgow-Loch Lomond Cycleway runs 20 mi. from the city to the lake along mostly traffic-free paths. At Balloch, where the route ends, National Cycle Route #7 heads east to the Trossachs; the smaller West Loch Lomond Cycle Path follows the lake to the west.

Loch Lomond Shores is the region’s lakeside visitor complex, full of eateries and gift shops designed to ensure that tourists leave with empty wallets. Its centerpiece, Drumkinnon Tower, is home to the new Loch Lomond Aquarium. (☎01389 721 500. Open daily 10am-5pm. £11, concessions £10, children £8, families £33.) Across from the Shores, rent bikes or paddle boats from Can You Experience, which also offers guided paddling and cycling tours. (☎01389 602 576; www.canyouexperience.com. Bikes £12 per 4hr., £17 per day. Canoes and paddle boats £12 per 30min., £17 per 1hr. MC/V.) Sweeney’s Cruises provides one of the best introductions to the area with 1-2hr. tours departing from the Balloch TIC on the River Leven and from Loch Lomond Shores in the summer. (☎01389 752 376; www.sweeneyscruises.com. 1hr. tours daily every hr. 10:30am-4:30pm; £6.50, children £4, families £19.50. 2hr. tours daily 1, 3pm; £12, children £6, families £32. 1½hr. evening tours daily 7:30pm; £9.50, children £5, families £26.) Avert your eyes (or don’t) from the nudist colony on one of the islands.