The
Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park has dozens of Lochs and
Lochans. The largest is of course
Loch Lomond from which the
National park derives a good part of its name. Loch Lomond is 24
miles long and runs from south to north. The loch's beauty is
legendary however the many other lochs and lochans have there own
character varying from wild to tranquil.
Loch
Lomond owes its origin to the glacial era. The Glaciers ran South
from the
Ben Lui basin towards the southern end of Loch Lomond which
is now
Balloch.
Loch Lomond has the greatest surface area of
freshwater in Britain, approximately 71Km sq, and although quite
shallow when compared to Loch Ness and Loch Morar (not in the park)
it still holds more water than all the Lakes in the Lake district
added together.
Below
there is a list of the lochs and lochans in the national park. To
find out details about fishing please go to our fishing link.
Loch
Acray is a beautiful piece of water in the heart of the Trossachs,
it lies between
Callander and
Aberfoyle on the B821. This is a
conservation area for both the water and the red squirrels that can
be found in this area.
Brig o'Turk
is the village nearest to the loch and Trossachs Church on the
shores of Achray is probably one of the prettiest churches in
Scotland. There is also a car park at the foot of Ben Aan, a small
but spectacular little mountain offering walks and views over both
Loch Achray and Loch Katrine.
Loch
Arklet is a small loch lying between Loch Katrine to the East and
Loch Lomond to the West. To get there you must take the Inversnaid
road from
Aberfoyle, a number of miles after Kinlochard you
will come to a T junction, turn left for Inversnaid. Loch Arklet is
the Loch on your left. There is a picturesque walk along the river
from Loch Arklet to Loch Lomond (steep in places). From Inversnaid
go to the south of the hotel and you will see a waterfall (on the
West Highland Way). This is spectacular when in spate. After the
footbridge there is a path leading to viewpoints between here and
the Dam at Loch Arklet
Loch
Ard is situated about 1 mile east of Aberfoyle. It is in three parts
with the most westerly and biggest being headed by the village of
Kinlochard. The Loch lies in the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park and as
you would expect there are many walks and tracks to choose from. A
popular park and walk or cycling point is at Milton (a few houses at
the east of the loch). From Aberfoyle take the Inversnaid road. In
one mile there is a turning to the left which then goes over a
bridge. After this turn right and then left at the forestry fork. If
the first car park is full there are others further up the forest
track.
The nearest village east is
Aberfoyle
The nearest village is
Kinlochard
Loch
Chon
lies between Kinlochard and Inversnaid on the Aberfoyle
Inversnaid road, this is an ideal picnic spot on a sunny day. It is
also an easy loch to park at for walking, cycling, or canoeing.
There are numerous tracks leading round the loch some are current
forest tracks but there are also some remnants of older tracks which
are quite interesting to follow.
The nearest village is
Kinlochard
Doine
Loch
Doine is a small loch lying to the west of Loch Voil. Like Loch Voil
it is reached by a single track road which runs up to Inver Larig to
the west of Balquhidder. There are many stopping places along the
road to Loch Doine and there are tracks leading up into hills at the
road end with ample parking. Please note however that the mountains
in this area are for the well equipped and experienced only. Having
said that however there are some beautiful low level walks, often
amongst highland cattle. Beware of getting between a cow and its
calf, otherwise you should experience no problems. Inverlarig Farm
is a busy working farm, leave all gates as you find them and follow
the usual country codes.
Loch
Drunkie is a beautiful wee bit of water in the forest between
Aberfoyle and Loch Achray. Forest Enterprise have made it an easy
place to visit by putting in and maintaining a three loch forest
drive from the top of Dukes Pass to Loch Achray. There may be a
small fee to pay currently £2 and the drive is only open in the
summer. However it is popular with walkers and cyclists all the year
round. There is ample parking at both ends of the drive.
Loch
Earn
is just in the North end of the park and is a large loch with
water borne facilities. There is a main road on its northern shore
running from
Lochearnhead to
St Fillins and a minor but lovely road
on its southern shore. The south Loch Earn road also allows easy
access to walks in Glen Ample or Hill walking on
Ben
Venue and Stuc a'Chroin
Loch
Goil is on of the Lomond Park sea lochs. It is in fact an arm of
Loch Long.
Lochgoilhead at the head of the loch has been a popular
destination for generations particularly when there were frequent
paddle steamer visits from the reaches of the Clyde. Loch Goil is
also a great sea fishing loch.
Loch
Katrine is situated in the heart of the Trossachs. The famous steam
ship Sir Walter Scott has been taking tourists around Loch Katrine
for more than 100 years. The steamship company also run a smaller 28 seater which provides a shorter 45 minute cruises around the islands
at the east end of the loch. There is a substantial visitors centre
at the east end with restaurant and even bike hire. This is a
popular place for walking and cycling with splendid scenery.
Loch
Lomond
is a very long and beautiful loch which extends north from
Balloch (near the river clyde) to
Ardlui.
It is the UK's longest
fresh water loch at 24 miles. It is five miles wide at its widest
point and about 600 feet deep at the deepest point. The loch has a
total of 38 islands not all are inhabited. Inchmurrin is the biggest
and has an hotel.
Balloch at the south of the loch has the Lomond
Shores Visitor Centre.
Loch
Long is a large sea loch which extends from the Clyde to
Arrochar at
its head.
Arrochar is a popular stop off point for climbers who
climb the "Arrochar Alps". The most famous of those is Ben Arthur or
the cobbler as is more commonly known. Loch long has a many
attractions for those who want to sea fish in generally sheltered
conditions.
Loch
Lubnaig in the east side of the park lies between
Callander and
Strathyre.
This is a popular camping and fishing loch. There is a cycle track
on the south of the loch which cyclists and walkers alike enjoy.
The
Lake of Menteith is a well stocked important fishing area in the
east park. there is plenty of accommodation in the vicinity. In the
summer months a regular small ferry service takes visitors to the
island of Inchmahome to view the ruins of the priory.
Loch
Tay lies on the north eastern fringes of the Park. The village of
Killin is the main park village. There are many reasons to visit
this area including water sports, fishing, climbing, cycling and if
your interested in history, then this is a prime area to visit. The
spectacular Fall of Dochart in the centre of
Killin are very
worthwhile a visit particularly after a period of heavy rain.
Loch
Venachar, at the heart of the Trossachs is easily accessible from
Callander.
This loch is not as beautiful as its closest counterparts loch
Achray and loch Katrine, however it is a popular spot for water
sports. There is an excellent sailing club on the shores of the
loch.
Loch
Voil lies to the west of
Balquhidder.
This is a particularly beautiful loch with the small loch Doine at
the western end. This loch is popular with fishermen but
unfortunately there is often litter and cans left behind. There are
many mountain walks in this area and it is well worth the visit.