Loch Lomond Tours

What our customers say about our Loch Lomond tours

Is Loch Lomond worth visiting?

Absolutely. Scotland's largest freshwater loch stretches 24 miles long and up to 5 miles wide, framed by mountains that mark the point where the Lowlands meet the Highlands. Over 30 islands dot the water, each with its own character. The southern shores are gentle and wooded, the kind of place that makes you want to slow down. Head north and the mountains close in, the landscape opens up into something wilder, and the whole thing starts to make sense in a way that photographs never quite manage.

The loch sits at the heart of Scotland's first National Park, established in 2002, though its reputation goes back much further than that. Sir Walter Scott set scenes here. Wordsworth wandered its shores. Queen Victoria visited and gave it her royal approval, though locals already knew it didn't need it. And underneath all of that history, it's also Rob Roy MacGregor's homeland, where Scotland's most famous outlaw knew every glen and hiding place in the land. Come and see what all the fuss is about.

Who was Rob Roy MacGregor?

Born in 1671, Rob Roy MacGregor was part Robin Hood, part cattle rustler, and entirely Scottish. He started as a cattle dealer, borrowed money from the Duke of Montrose to expand his business, and when his chief herdsman absconded with the funds, found himself unable to repay the debt. The Duke seized his land and had his wife and children evicted in winter. From that point, Rob Roy dedicated himself to making the Duke's life as difficult as possible, which by all accounts he managed very well.

He rustled cattle, offered protection to local communities, and operated well outside the law, yet maintained a reputation for fairness that made him a folk hero rather than a common criminal. The government declared him an outlaw and soldiers hunted him, yet he moved freely through Loch Lomond's glens, knowing every sympathetic household, every escape route, and every place to disappear. He fought in the Jacobite Uprising of 1715, was captured multiple times, and escaped each time through cunning or the loyalty of the people around him.

He died peacefully in 1734, with his land partially restored and his legend firmly in place. Sir Walter Scott's 1817 novel cemented it for good. Today, his grave in Balquhidder and his former lands around Loch Lomond draw visitors wanting to walk where Scotland's most famous outlaw once roamed. Your driver-guide will make sure you hear the full story.

What's included on a Loch Lomond tour?

Our Loch Lomond tours combine Scotland's most famous loch with historic castles, lochside villages, and some of the finest Highland scenery in the country. Traveling in groups of no more than 16 passengers from Edinburgh and Glasgow, you'll typically stop at villages like Luss, Balmaha, and Aberfoyle on the lochside, take in views of Ben Lomond rising above the water, and spend time on the banks where Rob Roy once roamed.

Beyond the loch, tours venture into the Trossachs National Park, often called "the Highlands in Miniature," with its 22 lochs, ancient forests, and rugged peaks. Stirling Castle, perched on volcanic rock, features on several itineraries, as does Doune Castle, familiar to fans of Outlander and Monty Python, and the Kelpies Monument, Scotland's extraordinary equine sculptures celebrating the country's industrial past. Exactly what you see depends on which tour you choose, and our range covers everything from single-day adventures to multi-day journeys combining Loch Lomond with the Scottish Islands, Glencoe, or whisky country.

Take a look at our full range of Scotland tours if you’re considering going further afield.

Can I take a boat cruise on Loch Lomond?

You can, and it's worth doing if you have the time. From the water, the scale of the place becomes clear in a way it never quite does from the shore. Mountains reflect in the calm surface, islands sit scattered across the water like stepping stones, and you start to understand why this loch inspired so much poetry.

Our Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond & Boat Cruise tour from Glasgow includes an optional hour-long cruise as part of the itinerary, departing from Balloch and passing islands while your guide fills you in on local wildlife, history, and the legends that belong to these waters. Even if your tour doesn't include a cruise, some tours allow enough free time at the loch for you to arrange one independently.

What activities can I do at Loch Lomond?

There's more to a Loch Lomond day trip than standing at the shore, though that's worth doing too. The National Park offers plenty for every energy level, from gentle strolls to proper mountain hikes.

The West Highland Way, Scotland's first official long-distance footpath, runs along the eastern shore. You don't need to commit to the full 96 miles; walking a section gives you a feel for it and might just convince you to come back for more. For something more challenging, Ben Lomond is one of Scotland's most popular Munros, and the views from the summit make every step worthwhile.

Whisky lovers won't feel left out either. Glengoyne Distillery sits at the foot of Dumgoyne Hill, technically in the Lowlands but producing Highland whisky, which is exactly the kind of quirk Scotland specializes in. If you want to go deeper into the dram, our whisky tours are worth a look. Most of our Loch Lomond tours include some time at the loch, whether that's a quick stop to admire the views or a little longer to stroll by the water, enjoy the fresh air, take in the beautiful scenery, or even enjoy a cruise on the loch where the itinerary allows.

What wildlife can I see at Loch Lomond?

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park is home to some of Scotland's most remarkable wildlife, with ancient woodland, open moorland, and freshwater loch creating habitats for species rarely seen elsewhere in Britain.

Red squirrels dart through the Scots pine forests, easier to spot here than in most of the country, where gray squirrels have pushed them out. Golden eagles patrol the skies above the higher peaks, and while spotting one takes patience and a bit of luck, your driver-guide knows where to look. Ospreys fish the lochs, plunging talons-first to catch their prey. They were extinct in Scotland by 1916, shot by gamekeepers and egg collectors, and their return is one of conservation's great success stories. Red deer roam the glens and mountains in the early morning and late evening, Scotland's largest land mammal, with stags carrying impressive antlers that grow back every year. Bring binoculars if you have them.

For dedicated wildlife experiences, take a look at our Scotland wildlife tours.

How to visit Loch Lomond

Loch Lomond is around 30 minutes from Glasgow and an hour from Edinburgh by car, which makes it tempting to drive yourself. The problem is that the roads around the loch are narrow, the parking is limited, and half the experience is being able to look out the window without worrying about what's coming the other way. A small group tour solves all of that. You get there without the stress, someone else handles the route, and a driver-guide who knows every story about the place is considerably more useful than a sat-nav.

Our tours depart from both Edinburgh and Glasgow, and the journey is part of the experience either way. A Loch Lomond tour from Edinburgh takes around an hour, with Stirling Castle and the Kelpies making natural stops along the route. It's a day that covers a lot of ground in the best possible way, and our Loch Lomond, Stirling Castle and the Kelpies day tour is one of our most popular for exactly that reason. Glasgow sits closer to the water, and a Loch Lomond tour from Glasgow is a natural choice for anyone based in the city, with options that pair the loch with whisky distilleries, a boat cruise, or both.

Browse the tours above or visit our Departure Points page for full details.

How long do I need at Loch Lomond?

That depends entirely on what you want to experience. A half day gives you time to see the loch's highlights, visit a village, and take in the mountain views. A full day opens up the possibility of a boat cruise, a castle visit, and time to explore more of the National Park without feeling rushed. And if you want to combine Loch Lomond with other parts of Scotland, a multi-day tour can take in the islands, Glencoe, or whisky country alongside it.

Our day tours typically spend one to two hours at the loch itself, balanced with other stops that make the most of the journey. It's enough time to understand why a Jacobite soldier awaiting execution chose this place to write one of Scotland's most beloved songs. If you don't know "The Bonnie Banks o' Loch Lomond" already, you will by the time you leave.

Why tour Loch Lomond with Rabbie's?

Small groups make all the difference. With a maximum of 16 passengers, you'll travel in a comfortable mini-coach that can navigate the narrow lochside roads that larger buses simply can't access. Our driver-guides are storytellers first, bringing Rob Roy's legends, Scottish history, and local knowledge to life in a way no audio guide ever quite manages.

We're also committed to traveling responsibly. By supporting local businesses, keeping group sizes small, and contributing to environmental and community projects, we do what we can to preserve Loch Lomond's beauty for those who come after us. Have questions? Take a look at our FAQs or get in touch.

Why you should book Rabbie's Loch Lomond tour