Holiday rentals in LOCH LOMOND and The TROSSACHS National Park

One and a half hours west of Edinburgh is a natural landscape so diverse that it became Scotland’s first national park. The Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park was established in 2002 to conserve and enhance the area while making it more accessible to the public. Loch Lomond, a glacier-carved ribbon lake, is a monument of the past, stretching over 36 kilometres through a wild and varied landscape that ranges from rugged to lush. Dramatic mountain views mark the northern edge of the loch and give way to rolling grassy meadows as you progress south. East of the loch is the towering Ben Lomond, which divides the Highlands from the Lowlands.

The 1,865-square kilometre park now includes Breadalbane and Cowal in its boundaries, in addition to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. The Trossachs is an impressive region featuring sprawling glens, woodland forests, and picturesque lochs. Most people start their visit at the Visitors Centre at the Loch Lomond Shores, where you’ll find restaurants to fuel up before you head for the hills.

The national park is open year-round to visitors, but summer, late spring, and early autumn have the warmest weather and the least rain. The days are the longest in mid-June, making it ideal for day-long outings. Winter is brisk and damp, and the shorter days can make it challenging to complete some of the longer trails. But the park does have an ethereal beauty during this time, especially after a snowfall coats the forest in white. Returning to your vacation rental equipped with a fireplace can make a winter’s day feel magical, and you can find Loch Lomond accommodation in the nearby towns of Balloch and Callander. Balloch is on the southwest shore of Loch Lomond, making it easy to get to and from the park quickly.

Loch Lomond’s Nature Trails

Loch Lomond and the surrounding area have such distinct natural landscapes that the best way to discover them is by putting on your boots and hitting the trails. Munro-baggers have no shortage of options, with Ben More offering a challenge, while Ben Lomond is better suited to beginners. Shorter routes such as the Conic Hill are also available. It takes between 45 minutes to an hour to reach the hill’s summit, and impressive views of Loch Lomond will reward you throughout the climb.

Angling in the Rivers

With so many rivers and lochs in the national park, angling is a popular and peaceful way to spend a morning or afternoon on the water. Permits can be obtained right in the national park for a wide variety of fish, including chub, salmon and trout. Boat charters can take you fishing on Loch Lomond, but there are plenty of other opportunities throughout the Trossachs too.

Boat Ride on Loch Lomond

A scenic trip over the gentle waters of Loch Lomond is a pleasant way to visit the park and experience different viewpoints compared to the loch shorelines. Cruises and a waterbus allow you to hit the water and see the layered landscape progress from green woodland to towering Munro. The Loch Lomond cruise will pick you up in Balloch or at Loch Lomond Shores. Local outfitters also offer voyages up the entire 13-kilometre stretch of the waters, where you’ll catch panoramic views of the small mountain, Ben A’an.