United Kingdom / Edinburgh, Glasgow & Fife / Loch Lomond & the TrossachsLoch Lomond & the Trossachs
The Bonnie Banks, Island Lochs and the Glens of the Trossachs
Scotland's first national park, where the Highlands begin less than an hour from Glasgow: Loch Lomond, the largest lake in Great Britain by area and scattered with islands, the conservation village of Luss on its west shore, the climb up Conic Hill above Balmaha on the east, where the West Highland Way runs, and to the north-east the wooded glens and lochs of the Trossachs, where the steamship Sir Walter Scott has sailed Loch Katrine since 1900 (daily from late March to late October). Balloch, at the loch's southern tip, is the base: ScotRail trains from Glasgow Queen Street take about 50 minutes (Advance from £7.40), and boats leave for the islands and Luss. The Trossachs and Loch Katrine are about an hour's drive: buses are few, so take a car or a tour. Midges bite on still summer evenings.
Highlights
- Sail among Loch Lomond's islands from Balloch
- Luss village and its pier
- Sunset from Conic Hill
- Steamship Sir Walter Scott on Loch Katrine
- Ben A'an above Loch Katrine
- Loch Lomond Shores
Things to do
- Sail among Loch Lomond's islands from BallochMorning · 2h
- Luss: the conservation village and the lochside pierAfternoon · 2h 30m
- Conic Hill walk from BalmahaAfternoon · 3h
- Loch Katrine on the steamship Sir Walter ScottApr–OctMorning · 4h
- Ben A'an climb in the TrossachsAfternoon · 2h 30m
- Balloch Castle Country Park and Loch Lomond ShoresEvening · 1h 30m
Tours & tickets
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When to go
Best time: May – September
Heads up
Highland Midges
From early summer to September, clouds of tiny biting midges come out on still, damp days, especially at dawn and dusk near water and in the glens. Wind and sun keep them away. Carry a repellent sold locally (Smidge and others) and a head net for evening walks, and keep car windows shut at lochside stops.
Heads up
Loch Katrine Steamship: Few Winter Sailings
The steamship Sir Walter Scott sails Loch Katrine every day from late March to late October (27 March-25 October in 2026), and only on selected days in winter; Loch Lomond's boat trips run fewer sailings too. Check the timetables before you go.
Heads up
Short Scottish Winter Days
At midwinter the sun rises around 08:45 and sets around 15:30 in Edinburgh. Plan sightseeing and day trips for the middle of the day; Christmas markets and Hogmanay make the evenings lively.