Balloch, Loch Lomond

Visit Balloch, Loch Lomond

Here’s our newly updated guide to Balloch. Sadly, it (like all the others in Scotland) recently lost its Visitor Information Centre. The very helpful staff will be greatly missed, but we will be expanding our guides further to provide useful information to help you plan your trips to Loch Lomond & The Trossachs.

Balloch is a gateway to the National Park, and this guide features the village's highlights and concludes with ten suggestions of things to do. To help you navigate the small town/large village of Balloch, there are two maps, the first showing its location at the southern end of Loch Lomond and the second a street view.

 

 

Getting To Balloch

Balloch has a train station with frequent links to Glasgow; there is also a bus terminal and plenty of free parking around Balloch and at Loch Lomond Shores.

Sweeney’s Cruises

Long-established family business Sweeney’s Cruises runs many cruises, mainly departing from their main Balloch base, with some options from Loch Lomond Shores. Their cruises feature commentary by TV historian Neil Oliver.

The cruises provide an excellent introduction to Loch Lomond. They take you from the River Leven onto the loch, with great views of Ben Lomond. There are a range of cruise options, including sunset ones.

Go Swim Loch Lomond

Formerly The Great Scottish Swim and now Go Swim Loch Lomond is an annual open water swimming tournament that takes place for one day in the summer each year at Balloch, usually on a Saturday at the end of August. The event attracts many entrants for several different races.

Balloch Cycle Routes

From Balloch, you can follow a path alongside the west of Loch Lomond up to Tarbet. The West Lomond Cycle Path (Regional Route 40) is 17 miles and mainly off the road, taking you through Luss.

Another cycle route is the National Number 7, which starts in Glasgow and goes through Balloch. Click the button below for our guide to the next section of the route between Balloch and Drymen. After Drymen, the National Number 7 goes through Aberfoyle, Callander, and Killin before leaving the National Park.

Long Distance Walks

Two of Scotland’s Great Trails go through Balloch. The John Muir Way enters Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park at Balloch, it’s a coast to coast route from Helensburgh to Dunbar, paying tribute to John Muir from Dunbar who emigrated to America and encouraged the establishment of their National Parks. The route is growing in popularity with walkers and cyclists. Another excellent trail is the Three Lochs Way which goes from Balloch to Inveruglas.

Balloch Castle Country Park

The only country park in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs is accessible through a gate opposite the bus terminal; you can also get in via the walk alongside River Leven and Loch Lomond. Enjoy the Chinese Garden, Walled Garden, and Old Castle. Read more about a visit to Balloch Castle Country Park in our more comprehensive guide, linked below.

Marketing Services

Video, Photography & Websites

Find Out More

Loch Lomond Shores

Loch Lomond Shores (top two pictures above) offers leisure, food, drink, and retail options. It also provides bikes for hire, watersports, a Bird of Prey Centre, Mini Golf (both pictured below) and much more. There are monthly farmer’s markets on selected Sundays, food and drink festivals, and other events throughout the year.

Loch Lomond Sea Life Sea Life Centre

Loch Lomond Sea Life Centre is a popular visitor attraction for families and a good option on a wet weather day. If visiting the Aquarium, take the lift to the top floor to get an excellent view from the roof of Drumkinnon Tower (pictured below); it provides an iconic view of Loch Lomond and Ben Lomond.

The Maid of the Loch

Follow the path from Loch Lomond Shores, alongside the loch, to the Maid of the Loch, Loch Lomond’s last paddle steamer; sadly, she’s out of service, but a team of dedicated volunteers has been working incredibly hard for many years to preserve and restore her, with the ambition of one day getting her back sailing on Loch Lomond.

The Maid is currently out of the water, positioned on her slipway to allow the volunteers to work on her. The charity regularly runs hard-hat tours for the public to tour the boat and the nearby winch house. I’ve spent lots of time on the Maid, and I highly recommend one of these tours and taking time to discover the incredible history of this paddle steamer from the knowledgeable and friendly team.

Local Photographer

Weddings & Family Photo Shoots

Visit Website

Duck Bay

Take a short trip up the A82, heading north from Balloch, turning right at the first exit to go to Duck Bay (if walking, there is a path from Loch Lomond Shores). A large field between the A82 and the loch is often busy on warm days, with families enjoying picnics.

Close by is the excellent Duck Bay Hotel and Restaurant, which is great for food and has outstanding views over the loch.

Cameron House Hotel

The prestigious 5-star Cameron House Hotel reopened a few years ago after an extended closure due to a significant fire. The resort has a golf course, marina, restaurants, leisure complex, bars, shop and lodges.

I recommend the excellent Cameron Grill restaurant (expensive but great for special occasions) and the Scots Bar, a wonderful place to grab a drink. Within the hotel's grounds is the Loch Lomond Sea Plane, one of the best things to do in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. You’ll be taking off and landing on the loch, and to find out more, read my guide from a fantastic flight I took recently.

10 top things to do in Balloch

Let’s round up this guide to Balloch with ten things I recommend (not ranked in any order).

1. Take a cruise on Loch Lomond with Sweeney’s Cruises

2. Buy a souvenir at Loch Lomond Gift House (56 Balloch Road)

3. Explore Balloch Castle Country Park by bike or foot

4. Take off on Loch Lomond in the Sea Plane (at Cameron House Hotel)

5. Eat at the excellent Princess Rose Chinese Restaurant (Old Luss Road Balloch)

6. Celebrate a special occasion with a meal at Cameron Grill (Cameron House Hotel)

7. Watch the Bird of Prey show

8. Join a tour of the Maid of the Loch, Loch Lomond’s last paddle steamer

9. Visit Loch Lomond Shores during one of their food festivals

10. Enjoy a meal or just some ice cream at Duck Bay Marina

Thanks for reading

Words and photography by Paul Saunders. Visit Paul’s Marketing and Photography websites for details of his services in Scotland.

How was your visit to Balloch? Do you have any tips or highlights that you’d like to share? If so, please leave them in the comments below.