Cruise and Water Bus Timetables

Cruise Loch Lomond at Inchcailloch Island

Timetables for cruises during 2025 in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs

Planning a trip to Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park? Exploring the lochs by boat is a fantastic way to experience the area’s natural beauty. This comprehensive guide provides updated cruise and water bus options in 2025, covering both Loch Lomond and Loch Katrine.

Important: This website does not sell tickets or respond to individual travel requests. For bookings, availability, sailing times, or specific questions, please contact the cruise companies directly; they are all linked on this page. Visit their websites or call them to confirm all details, including timetables, as schedules can change. The cruise operators are best placed to answer any questions and ensure your plans go smoothly.

For Loch Lomond, circular cruises are ideal for enjoying the scenery without leaving the boat. These often depart from popular locations such as Balloch, Luss, and Tarbet. Stop-off cruises allow you to visit destinations such as Balmaha, Rowardennan, or Inversnaid, offering time ashore to explore or relax before returning.

Loch Katrine also offers memorable experiences, including the historic Steamship Sir Walter Scott, sailing in its 125th anniversary year. One-way journeys can be combined with walking or cycling activities.

Booking in advance is recommended, as popular sailings can fill up quickly. Check weather conditions, as schedules may be affected, especially during peak or off-peak seasons.

Circular Cruises

Here are the departure points for circular cruises (cruising from and to the same location) in Loch Lomond and Loch Katrine, 

• Balloch, Loch Lomond (Sweeney Cruise Co.) 

• Balloch (Loch Lomond Shores), Loch Lomond (Loch Lomond Leisure)

• Balmaha, Loch Lomond (Cruise Loch Lomond) 

• Luss, Loch Lomond (Cruise Loch Lomond & Sweeney Cruise Co.)

• Trossachs Pier, Loch Katrine (Loch Katrine)

• Tarbet, Loch Lomond (Cruise Loch Lomond)

Water Bus Services

There are numerous ferry services with regularly scheduled sailings or on-demand/bookable. The places connected are as follows:

• Arden and Inchmurrin Island (Loch Lomond)

• Ardlui and Ardleish (Loch Lomond)

• Balloch and Luss (Loch Lomond)

• Luss and Balmaha (Loch Lomond)

• Luss and Inchcailloch Island (Loch Lomond)

• Port of Menteith and Inchmahome Island* (Lake of Menteith) 

• Tarbet and Inversnaid (Loch Lomond)

• Tarbet and Luss (Loch Lomond) 

• Tarbet and Rowardennan (Loch Lomond)

• Trossachs Pier and Stronachlachar Pier (Loch Katrine)

• Ferry to Inchmahome Island (Lake of Menteith)

Loch Katrine Cruises and Water Bus Services

Lady of the Lake or Rob Roy III carries passengers with daily scheduled services on Loch Katrine, and the 125-year-old Steamship Sir Walter Scott sails daily during spring and summer. In addition, Osprey is bookable for small charters.

Departing from Stronachlachar

• Stronachlachar Pier to Trossachs Pier Water Bus - one-hour sailing departing at 11.30 am & 3.30 pm on Steamship Sir Walter Scott - operator Loch Katrine (operates 29/3/25-26/10/25)

Departing from Trossachs Pier

• 45-minute Circular Cruise - departs daily at 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 1.15 pm, 2.15 pm, 3.15 pm & 4.15 pm, sailing on Lady of the Lake or Rob Roy III (operates daily apart fron Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Hogmanay 31/12)

• A one-hour Circular cruise - departs daily at 1 p.m. on Steamship Sir Walter Scott (operates 29/3/25-26/10/25).

• 2-hour Return cruise - stopping at Stronachlachar (with options of return, one-way, or later return journeys) departing at 10.30 am (Stronachlachar arrival 11.20 am) and 2.30 pm (Stronachlachar arrival 3.20 pm) (operates 29/3/25-26/10/25)

All cruises operated by Loch Katrine 

Loch Lomond Cruises and Water Bus Services

Departing from Arden

• Inchmurrin Ferry (Advance Bookings Required) by Inchmurrin Island

Departing from Ardleish

• Ardlui Ferry - from the West Highland Way path at Ardleish to Ardlui Marina by Ardlui Hotel. Raise the ball to summon the ferry for the next scheduled sailing. This service runs from April to October and is a good option for West Highland Way walkers; however, book your accommodation in advance.

Departing from Ardlui

• Ardlui Ferry from Ardlui Marina to West Highland Way at Arleish by Ardlui Hotel. as per above.

Departing from Balloch (Sweeney's Cruise Co. Yard)

• 1-hour Experience Cruise departing April to September at 10.15 am, 11.30 am, 1 pm, 2.15 pm, 3.30 pm & 4.30 pm. Departing during October at 10.15 am, 11.30 am, 1.30 pm & 3.00 pm. Departing November to March at 11.30 am and 1.30 pm.

• 2-hour Island Discovery Cruise This cruise sails around some of Loch Lomond’s islands and departs from May to September at 12.30 pm and 3 pm, and on weekends, it departs only at 12.30 pm and 3 pm in April and October.

• 75-minute Evening Cruise departing Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday nights at 7 pm during July and August.

Departing from Balloch (Loch Lomond SHORES)

• Loch Lomond Highlights by Sweeney's Cruise Co departs from Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch, from April to September at 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm, and 4 pm.

• Castle Experience Tour by Loch Lomond Leisure departs from Lomond Shores pontoon. Duration 60min. Time slots: 10:00, 11:15, 12:30, 13:45, 15:00, 16:30, 18:00.

Departing from Balmaha Boatyard

• Inchcailloch Island Ferry by Balmaha Boatyard: every 30 minutes from 9.30 am to 5 pm, more frequent at peak times, runs until at least the end of September.

Departing from Balmaha (Old Pier)

• Balmaha to Luss Waterbus by Sweeney's Cruise Co. departing May to September at 12.25 pm & 3.55 pm.

Departing from Balmaha (New Pontoon)

• Balmaha to Luss Waterbus by Cruise Loch Lomond departs Balmaha at 10.45 am, 12.15 pm, 2.00 pm and 3.30 pm - crossing 45 minutes (Operates 28/3/25-2/11/25)

• Balmaha Circular Cruise by Cruise Loch Lomond departs at 10.45 am, 12.15 pm and 2 pm. 90-minute circular cruise (Operates 28/3/25-2/11/25).

Departing from Inchcailloch Island (North Pier)

• Inchcailloch Island Ferry by Balmaha Boatyard - every 30 mins from 9.30 am-5 pm, more frequent at peak times, with return time agreed before sailing to the island. 

Departing from Inchcailloch (Port Bawn)

• Luss Waterbus by Cruise Loch Lomond departs at 10.35 am, 12.05 pm, 1.50 pm and 3.20 pm. Crossing to Luss 55 minutes (Operates 28/3/25-2/11/25)

Departing from Inchmurrin

• Inchmurrin Ferry (bookings required) by Inchmurrin Island

Departing from Inversnaid

• Inversnaid-Tarbet Waterbus - departs at 11 am, 12.15 pm, 2.15 pm. 3.30 pm & from May to Sep at 4.30 pm. 30 minute crossing (Operates 28/3/25-2/11/25)

  Operator for all Inversnaid departures - Cruise Loch Lomond 

Departing from Luss

• Luss Circular 90-Minute Cruise by Cruise Loch Lomond departs at 10 am, 11.30 am, 1.15 pm & 2.45 pm (Operates 28/3/25-2/11/25)

• Island Experience Tour by Loch Lomond Leisure departs from Luss Pier. Duration 45min. Time slots: 10:15, 11:15, 12:30, 13:30, 14:45, 15:45, 16:45, 17:30. (Operates April-October)

• Island Explorer (Inchcailloch Island Water Bus) by Cruise Loch Lomond departs at 10 am, 11.30 am & 1.15 pm. (Operates 28/3/25-2/11/25)

• Balmaha Explorer (Waterbus) by Cruise Loch Lomond departs Luss at 10 am, 11.30 am, and 1.15 pm. Crossing 45 minutes. (Operates 28/3/25-2/11/25)

• Rowardennan Water Bus by Cruise Loch Lomond departs Luss at 4.15 pm, arriving at Rowardennan at 4.45 pm (Operates Fri, Sat, and Sun May-September) 

• Balloch Water Bus by Sweeney's Cruise Co departs Luss at 1.30 pm & 4 pm from May to September (the crossing is 1 hour)

• Balmaha Water Bus by Sweeney's Cruise Co departs Luss at 1.50 pm & 3.20 pm.

• 1-hour Osprey Cruise by Sweeney's Cruise Co Departing during May and September from Luss at 9.50 am, 11.10 am, 12.40 pm, 1 pm, and 2.30 pm. Departing during June, July, and August from Luss at 9.50 am, 11 am, 12.40 pm, 1.50 pm, and 3 pm.

Departing from Rowardennan

• Luss Waterbus by Cruise Loch Lomond departs at 9.35 am, a 30-minute crossing. (Operates weekends May-September) 

• Tarbet Waterbus by Cruise Loch Lomond departs at 4.45 pm. 45-min crossing. (Operates weekends May-September) 

Departing from Tarbet

• Tarbet Circular  60-minute circular cruise - departs at 10.30 am, 11.45 am, 1.45 pm and 3 pm. (Operates 28/3/25-2/11/25)

• Inversnaid Explorer (cruise and water bus) departs daily at 10.30 am, 11.45 am, and 1.45 pm (Operates 28/3/25-2/11/25) with 3 pm sailing in March, April, and October but call first and at 4 pm from May to September.

• Ben Lomond Hike departs at 8.45 am for Rowardennan (to climb Ben Lomond) (operates weekends from May to September)

• West Highland Way Rambler departs at 8.45 am and 10.30 am (operates weekends from May to September)

• Operator for all Tarbet departures - Cruise Loch Lomond 

I hope that was helpful to you. I want to thank the boat operators for their support in collating this information. Do use their services; I am sure you won't be disappointed. These are some of the best ways to see Loch Lomond.

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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