Top 10 Lochs
Which is your favourite loch within Loch Lomond & The Trossachs? Here (for fun) is a list of my favourite ten to get you thinking.
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Just below the 10
First, a mention of two lochs that didn’t quite make the top ten. Loch Tay near Killin and Loch Drunkie, on the Three Lochs Forest Drive in the Trossachs.
(10) Loch Long
As the name suggests, it’s long, stretching from its head in the Firth of the Clyde, up to Arrochar, a distance of 20 miles. Along the shores on the Cowal Peninsula, you will find many highlights, including the villages of Ardentinny and Blairmore. The Victorian pier at Blairmore is a stopping point for the Waverley Steam Ship on some sailings in the summer months. At Ardentinny, visit Glenfinnart Walled Garden.
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(9) Loch Lubnaig
Loch Lubnaig sits between two impressive mountains, Ben Ledi and Ben Vorlich. NCN7 Lochs & Glens Way follows the route of the former railway line on the western shores. Pick up the cycle route at the car park in Callander Meadows and cycle to Strathyre.
On the eastern shores of the loch in Loch Lubnaig's Car Park 1 is Faerie Hollow, the first in a series of different art installations and sculptures that make up the BLiSS Trail. This award-winning trail links the communities of Strathyre, Lochearnhead, Balquhidder and St Fillans. Faerie Hollow is an excellent spot for looking out over Loch Lubnaig.
(8) Loch Voil
Located deep in Rob Roy Country, Loch Voil is just west of Balquhidder. The journey along to Monachyle is pretty stunning, on the road that hugs the shores of the loch. Follow this road to visit the renowned boutique hotel Monachyle Mhor. I’ve made this journey in all seasons; summer and spring are incredible, autumn takes some beating, with the snow-capped mountains looking impressive in winter.
A narrow strip of land separates Loch Voil from its near neighbour Loch Doine. See them both simultaneously via the Mirror Box that sits in between them. This is part of the previously mentioned BLiSS trail.
(7) Loch Achray
With scenes like the ones shown above, how could you not love Loch Achray? Sitting between Lochs Katrine and Venachar on the Trossachs Trail, Loch Achray is what you see at the end of a journey across Duke's Pass, with the distinctive peak of Ben A'an visible. It's also part of the Three Lochs Forest Drive, with a new campsite.
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(6) Loch Eck
I love escaping to Argyll Forest, exploring a quieter part of the National Park. Loch Eck is easy to get to on the Cowal Peninsula and has many places to view and enjoy the loch. My favourite place is Jubilee Point, pictured above an ideal place to launch a kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard.
(5) Loch Earn
Many of the art sculptures from the BLiSS Trail can be found close to the road alongside Loch Earn between Lochearnhead and St Fillans. St Fillans at the edge of the National Park, in Perthshire is one of the most beautiful villages in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs.
(4) Loch Ard
I have spent many happy days for work and pleasure on and around Loch Ard. For work, I have photographed many weddings at the stunning Altskeith House on Loch Ard, even photographing couples rowing on the loch as the sun sets over Ben Lomond. I’ve also been on family kayak trips across the loch, as well as walking and cycling the Loch Ard trails.
(3) Loch Katrine
The iconic 123-year old SS Sir Walter Scott steamship is back in service this year after a major restoration project. It was named after the famous poet whose blockbuster series of poems, ‘The Lady of the Lake’. Again, work and pleasure take me regularly to Loch Katrine, working with the Steamship company and walking and cycling by the loch. At the other end of the loch is Stronachalchar with its excellent Pier Cafe.
(2) Loch Goil
Loch Goil is a sea loch, and like many featured on this list, it has a stunning, narrow road that follows the banks of the loch. The scenic road goes from Lochgoilhead to the community of Carrick Castle. Places of interest include the Lodge on Loch Goil with its famous tree house, Loch Goil Cruisers and Cormonachan Woodlands.
(1) Loch Lomond
With no apologies for being predictable, Loch Lomond is number 1 in my book. I live close to it and love seeing it changing with different extremes of weather through the seasons. There are so many places of interest and contrasting views all around the UK’s largest expanse of freshwater. Towering over the loch is the mountain that provides its name - Ben Lomond. Scotland’s most southerly Munro helps to distinguish it as Loch Lomond from many different viewpoints.
That’s my ten, and I hope you enjoyed the list; let me know about your favourite loch(s) of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs in the comments box below. Thanks for reading.
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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