Loch Lomond

The idyllic Loch Lomond northwest of Glasgow is Britain's largest lake and according to Walter Scott "The Queen of Scottish Lakes". While the plentiful stocks of trout, salmon and whitefish attract anglers from far afield, the many day-trippers, not to mention the watersports enthusiasts, walkers and those in search of rest and relaxation are drawn by the wonderful scenery around the lake.

Picture - View of the Luss Hills and Loch Lomond.

View a slideshow of Loch Lomond Pictures

Loch Lomond Map

Boat trips on the "Maid of the Loch" give visitors a chance to admire the beauty of the lake and its surroundings. It is possible to climb Ben Lomond (3,192ft/973m) from Rowardennen and appreciate the waters from a different angle as well as admire the views to the east. Loch Lomond is often the first stop for tourers heading north along the Western Highland Way which runs from Glasgow through the beautiful Argyll countryside to Fort William. Cameron House at the south end of Loch Lomond is an excellent place to savor the romance of a Scottish castle, breathe in the lakeside air and enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities.

On the bonnie, bonnie banks o' Loch Lomond

An old folk song about Loch Lomond which is sung the world over is one reason why the lake attracts so many sightseers. The verses tell of two Scottish soldiers after the Jacobite uprising of 1745. One is said to have been executed in Carlisle, but the other was free to roam the "bonnie, bonnie banks o' Loch Lomond". This "national anthem" came to symbolize the melancholy of homesick Scottish emigrants.

Related Attractions

West Highland Way

The 20.5mi/32km West Highland Way follows the banks of Loch Lomond. The path begins in Milngavie in Glasgow and ends in Fort William, at the foot of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain (4,406 feet). The starting point is Ptarmigan Lodge in Rowardennan, from where you can take the Lochside path for a mile until a crag called Rob Roy's prison, where Roy was said to hold many hostages. From there you head towards Rowchoish, where a path leads through the woods to a farm cottage at Cailness. You also pass through Inversnaid, past the Inversnaid and Beinnglas Falls, then head north through Glen Falloch, past rapids, small falls and water slides, cross the river at Derrydaroch and continue until you reach the A82, where you cross the road and re-join the path on an old military road. From there you continue to Bogle Glen, and reach the village of Crianlarich.

The route is broken into 14 stages, each accessible by public roads at either end.

Rowardennan - Ben Lomond

Ben Lomond rises from the east shore of Loch Lomond. It is situated in a sheep-farming area and surrounded by the summits of Ptarmigan, Sron Aonaich and Beinn Uird. The area offers exhilarating walks and spectacular views.

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