With 22 Lochs on offer, you do not need to travel far in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park to drink in the views of a stunning loch or a pretty lochan.
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park is full of beautiful waterside scenery, and is home to 22 larger lochs, which account for 6.5% of the landscape. The largest of them all – and, indeed, Britain’s largest inland stretch of water – is Loch Lomond, stretching 24 miles from Balloch in the south to Ardlui in the north. Other larger lochs include Loch Katrine, Loch Voil and Loch Venachar.
The National Park also boasts Scotland's only lake, the Lake of Menteith, which is situated between Aberfoyle and The Port of Menteith. In addition, there are several sea lochs on the western fringes of the park, such as Loch Long and Loch Goil.
Visitors who explore the park by car, on foot or bike will also come across countless smaller lochs and lochans dotted across the landscape, as well as 50 rivers and larger burns with many more smaller burns.
All this water offers the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of watersports, such as fishing, Stand Up Paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing and power boating.
Take a tour of six of our favourite loch hotspots.
Lake of Menteith
Lake of Menteith - Image: John McSporran
Scotland’s only lake is the Lake of Menteith. But did you know it was once a loch? It used to be called Loch Innis Mo Cholmaig (The Loch of the Island of St Colmaig) and the area was known as The Laich (pronounced laych) of Menteith. Later this “laich” was corrupted into English as “lake”. Boat trips can be taken from the village of Port of Menteith to an island in the lake, which is home to ancient Inchmahome Priory.
Lake of Menteith is the only lake in Scotland
Loch Katrine (and three more!)
Loch Katrine - Image: LLATNPA
From the summit of Ben Venue you can see four great lochs, from left, Loch Katrine, Loch Achray and Loch Venachar and, top right, Loch Drunkie. You can see Achray and Drunkie, as well as another smaller loch, Reòidhte, on a Three Lochs Forest Drive.
Loch Venachar - Image: LLATNPA//Flickr
Lochan Reòidhte - Three Lochs Drive - Image: LLATNPA
Loch Chon
Loch Tron - Image: John McSporran//Flickr
The trees on the banks of Loch Chon create an amazing reflection in the still waters. The loch is located between Kinlochard and Inversnaid. There is a delightful walk that can be enjoyed from just above Kinlochard.
Loch Arklet
Loch Arklet - Image: LLATNPA
The remote small loch of Arklet lies between Loch Katrine to the east and Loch Lomond to the west. You can reach this picturesque waterway by taking the Inversnaid road from Aberfoyle. There is a beautiful walk along the river from Loch Arklet to Loch Lomond.
Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond from the air - Image: LLATNPA//Flickr
Scotland’s original long-distance walking trail, the West Highland Way, cuts a route through the park. Walkers are accompanied by fabulous views of Loch Lomond, especially on this downhill section of Conic Hill, near the village of Balmaha. The hill itself is a great way to enjoy an array of vistas for not too much climbing effort. Catch the loch at the heart of surrounding mountains as sun casts its final rays of the day by walking Duncryne hill.
Loch Lomond is the largest inland stretch of water in Britain
Visit www.lochlomond-trossachs.org to find out more.
