A82 Loch Lomond Road Trip
Luss, from Loch Lomond
The A82 road follows the banks of Loch Lomond from the parks gateway marker, just north of the Stoneymollen Roundabout at Balloch to the northern tip of the loch. Stick on the road as it heads to Breadalbane and the north region of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.
This blog follows that road journey (with just a tiny detour for a more scenic route south of Luss), noting ten places of interest along the way. Whilst mentioning this route, it is worth recommending the train journey that follows much of it. Taking the West Highland Line to Fort William or Oban is worth it as it is a beautifully scenic train journey. Back though to our A82 road trip...
Cameron House Resort
Cameron House Hotel is the first point of interest. It reopened a few years ago after extensive renovations following a significant fire. Cameron House is a resort with Boat House Restaurant, Lodges, and a Marina. The Carrick Golf course, further up the A82, is part of the resort, with a spa and golf course.
Loch Lomond Sea Plane
The Loch Lomond Sea Plane departs from Cameron House, which has to be the best way to see Loch Lomond. Their trips provide a chance to see the wonders of Loch Lomond from above. Depending on the flight you book, you can also travel further around Scotland.
Duck Bay
Duck Bay is close to Cameron House and is a popular restaurant and gift shop. Toilets have recently opened in the car park for the picnic spot opposite the hotel. If you follow the road that runs alongside the loch and parallel to the A82, you will find public parking as well as picnic tables.
The Cruin
Along that road is the entrance to The Cruin, an excellent venue for weddings and celebrations, with good views of Inchmurrin, Loch Lomond's largest island. Head back onto the A82 here...
Inchmurrin island (Access)
If you want to visit Inchmurrin Island, take the third exit (heading north on A82) at Arden Roundabout. The link explains about parking, ferry availability, prices etc.
Aldochlay
Back on the A82 take, take the first turning for Luss; this is just north of the very exclusive Loch Lomond Golf Course. This detour is again parallel with the A82 but with a prettier view along the banks of Loch Lomond. Aldochlay is a lovely place, favoured for launching kayaks, canoes and smaller boats. Four of Loch Lomond's islands are nearby, Inchtavannach, Inchconnachan, Inchmoan and Inchcruin.
Keep following this road, past the Luss Highland Games Showground and into Luss itself.
Luss
There is so much to see and do in Luss, which we have covered in a comprehensive guide.
A new car park has just opened in the village, where you can buy tickets to the Loch Lomond Faerie Trail and boat cruises. This car park will hopefully alleviate pressure from vehicles in the area by the pier.
There are several shops to browse, buy gifts and get ice cream. From the pier, you can take a cruise or ferry.
Firkin Point
Between the two villages of Luss and Tarbet is Firkin Point, a good stopping point, with picnic tables and a lovely beach. There are also camping facilities. You'll notice quite a broad section of the West Lomond Cycle Path here; this runs from Balloch at Loch Lomond Shores to Tarbet. It is 17 miles long and mainly flat, mainly off the road and on good surfaces for cycling.
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Tarbet
From the map below, you can see the importance of Tarbet's location. Just across the water from Ben Lomond and close to two other significant Lochs - Loch Long and Loch Katrine, both accessible by short land-based journeys.
At Tarbet, there is the option of heading over to the Argyll Forest region of the National Park via the A83 Rest & Be Thankful. A right turn at the Bay Tarbet Hotel (closed) will allow you to continue your A82 road trip. From here, the A82 hugs the banks of the loch, pretty much towards its northern point.
Cruise Loch Lomond is based in Tarbet and offers a range of cruises and water bus sailings.
Inveruglas
A recent addition to Inveruglas has been An Ceann Mòr, a Scottish Scenic Routes viewpoint. The structure provides elevated and panoramic views across Loch Lomond. Loch Sloy power station opened in 1950.
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Ardlui & Inverarnan
The trip up the A82 includes a recently widened section at Pulpit Rock, just south of Ardlui. This new viaduct was opened in 2015, following around 30 years of temporary traffic lights! At Ardlui there is a hotel, holiday park and marina. Ardlui is Loch Lomond Wakeboard's home, an exciting experience on Loch Lomond.
The Drovers Inn has been in business for over 300 years. The hotel claims to be one of the most haunted in Britain! The route of the West Highland Way runs nearby.
Falls of Falloch
Look out for the sign for The Falls of Falloch; the car park is just off the A82 and is relatively tiny and soon fills up. It's just a short walk to the falls, with another of the Scottish Scenic Routes Viewpoints. This one is different to the one at Inveruglas, it's called The Woven Sound, by John Kennedy, who designed this structure to provide an excellent view of the falls, without damaging the area's trees and plants. It contains a 19th-century diary entry from Dorothy Wordsworth, who visited the falls.
Crianlarich
You have options at Crianlarich. Continue north and out of the National Park on the A82 towards Glencoe, or head east on the A85. Both are very scenic routes, with the A85 keeping you in Breadalbane and taking you towards Rob Roy Country, Killin, Loch Earn and The Trossachs. A recent by-pass allows drivers on the A82 to avoid Crianlarich altogether.
Ben More and its distinctive pyramid shame dominate the view. To climb this Munro, allow a full day and be ready for a strenuous climb. Crianlarich is on the West Highland Way walk; there is a youth hostel here. If you're travelling by train, you can change here to head over to Oban.
Tyndrum
Whether heading north or south, Tyndrum can come as a bit of a surprise after a run of incredible scenery. The Green Welly Stop is pretty famous and one of the places where you can stop getting something to eat and drink.
It's now only a short distance before you reach one of the distinctive National Park gateway signs, here you leave Loch Lomond & The Trossachs. Of course, the Scottish Highlands await with all of their treasures.
So that's Stoneymollen Roundabout in Balloch to just north of Tyndrum and a route that connects two gateways to the National Park. It's hard to believe that with all of those landmarks and points of interest, the distance is only 40 miles. Hopefully, you enjoyed the trip and the ten stops along the way.
Thanks for reading
Words and photography by Paul Saunders. Visit Paul’s Marketing and Photography websites for details of his services in Scotland.
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Buy our guidebook, 101 Things to Do in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, packed with attractions, views, and activities to enjoy.