Water Activities in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs

With 22 major lochs and numerous rivers to explore, all set in a gorgeous landscape of mountains, forests and rolling hills, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is one of the best places in the UK for water activities. If you love water sports, you’ve come to the right place.

Our guide to water sports and activities in the national park takes in the best places for kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding, motor boat hire, speedboat trips and cruises, as well as some great spots for wild swimming and fishing, as well as lots of useful local information to set you on the right track. 

Popular water activities in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs

Kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding (SUP)

Easy to learn, and with several water activity centres and rental companies within the park, paddlesports are a great way to get out on the water. 

Kayaking and canoeing are two of the most popular activities on Loch Lomond, which is 23 miles long, with lots of bays and islands to explore, and car parks all around the shore where you can launch. Loch Lomond Leisure (March to October), with centres at Luss Beach and Loch Lomond Shores, has kayaks, paddleboards and canoes to rent, and offers lessons and guided tours. Loch Lomond Wakeboard, based at Ardlui Marina, also rents out kayaks and SUPs.

Sheltered Loch Lubnaig is good for beginners, and has great views of Ben Ledi, Benvane and Ben Vorlich. Open all year round, Roll Outdoors in nearby Callander rents kayaks, paddleboards and Canadian Canoes by the half or full day, and will deliver them to Loch Lubnaig, Loch Venacher or Loch Voil. They also offer paddleboarding courses and tours.

On Loch Earn, the Loch Earn Wakeschool and Loch Earn Watersports Centre at St Fillans (both seasonal) both have kayaks and SUPs to rent.

If you have your own craft, there are no end of lochs, rivers and stretches of coastline just waiting to be explored, including Loch Drunkie, Loch Achray, Loch Ard and Loch Katrine, the Endrick, Balvaig and Forth rivers, and coastal areas around Loch Long and Loch Goil. For experienced paddlers, there are stretches of white water to tackle on the Falloch, Leny and Dochart rivers.

Wild swimming

Wild swimming is exhilarating and great fun, requires very little equipment, and you can do it almost anywhere. With 22 lochs surrounded by incredible natural landscapes, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is a fabulous place to take a dip.

If you’re a beginner, Milarrochy Bay and Luss Beach on Loch Lomond are both popular spots with easy access to the water. If you’re looking for quieter places, these suggestions from Wander Somewhere include accessible sites on Loch Ard, Loch Lubnaig, Loch Earn and Loch Voil. Last but not least, the University of Stirling’s wild swimming page highlights several more sites, including Rob Roy’s Bathtub, an idyllic river pool below the Falls of Falloch near Crianlarich.

When swimming in open water, always bear the following safety tips in mind.

• The water in Scotland can be very cold! Consider wearing a wetsuit, even if you don't for swims further south.

• Understand the local conditions – talk to local swimmers if you can, and check the weather before setting out.

• Know your limits. Enter the water slowly to get used to it, don’t stay in too long, and have warm clothing, snacks and a hot drink for when you get out.

• Always swim with a companion.

• Wear a bright swimming cap and consider towing a float to make you more visible.

• Be mindful of other water users (particularly boats).

Fishing

If you’re planning a bit of fishing on your visit to Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Loch Lomond and the inland lochs offer plenty of coarse fishing for pike, perch and roach, among others, both from the shore or by boat, while sea lochs like Loch Long are  home to cod, mackerel, plaice and skate.

Fly fishermen can try their luck fishing for brown and rainbow trout and salmon on both rivers and lochs. Popular destinations include Loch Lomond (which has the largest variety of fish, and places to hire boats), Loch Ard (known for its large pike and perch) and the Lake of Menteith, in the south-east of the park, well stocked and with great local facilities.

The Trossachs website has a good summary of the best fishing spots around Loch Lomond and The Trossachs, and a useful page including details of what to expect at each site, local fishing shops and where you can obtain the necessary permits. The national park website has a downloadable PDF file with information on local byelaws, and a map.

Waterskiing, wakeboarding and windsurfing 

If you’re looking for some high-speed thrills, waterskiing and wakeboarding are good options, and the following centres offer the chance to try them out if you’re feeling adventurous.

• Loch Lomond Wakeboard – wakeboarding, waterskiing and wakesurfing by the hour, with wetsuits and buoyancy aids included.
• Loch Lomond Waterski Club at Balloch Pier (May to September) – waterski sessions, including wetsuit hire and tuition. Booking in advance is essential.
• The Loch Earn Wakeschool at Lochearnhead – wakeboarding, wakesurfing and waterskiing lessons for both beginners and more experienced riders. 

For something a little different, the Loch Earn Watersports Centre (summer) hires out electric surfboards for 20-minute or 60-minute sessions, with life jackets and wetsuits provided.

If you’re a windsurfer, the national park recommends Loch Lomond, with good sites south of Rowardennan and around Milarrochy and Duck Bays. Loch Lubnaig, which has restrictions on motorised activities, is a good option for a more relaxed trip.

Boating

If all of the above sounds too much like hard work, you may prefer something a little more gentle. Hiring a boat still allows you to have some fun on the water, with plenty of time to enjoy the view. If you want to to explore at your own pace, here are some suggestions: 

• Loch Lomond Leisure rents out rowing boats, pedal boats, self-drive motor boats and fishing boats from Loch Lomond Shores, and pedal boats from Luss Beach.
• Loch Goil Cruisers at Lochgoilhead rents out self-drive motor boats on this beautiful sea loch, with the chance to spot otters, seals, dolphins and even the odd whale. 

Sometimes you just want to sit back and take in the scenery, and fortunately there are several companies around Loch Lomond that allow you to do just that.

• Sweeney’s Cruise Company – daily Loch Lomond cruises of up to two hours from Balloch and Loch Lomond Shores, operating all year round.
• Cruise Loch Lomond – circular cruises, hop-on/hop-off explorer tours and waterbuses from several locations on Loch Lomond, including Tarbet, Luss and Balmaha. Daily from April to October, and some journeys throughout the year.
• Loch Lomond Leisure offers chartered speedboat trips from Luss Pier.
• Loch Lomond Wakeboard at Ardlui offers hour-long speedboat trips and private charters, and can also pick you up from other locations around Loch Lomond.
• Loch Katrine Cruises offers daily cruises year-round from Trossachs Pier on Loch Katrine, many of them are on the historic steamship Sir Walter Scott.
• Portnellan Farm offers luxury speedboat tours of Loch Lomond for up to eight passengers.
• Loch Earn Wakeschool runs speedboat trips from Lochearnhead. 

Top locations for water activities

Loch Lomond

Immortalised in song, dotted with bays and islands to explore and the largest lake in Great Britain, Loch Lomond is the first stop for most people visiting the park. If you’re a water sports lover the choice of activities here is vast, with great opportunities for paddlesports, boat hire, wakeboarding and waterskiing, as well as more leisurely activities like cruises, swimming and fishing. If you’re looking for local information, the national park website is the best place to start. 

Loch Katrine

Surrounded by hills and woodland, tranquil Loch Katrine is one of the most popular places in the park to take a cruise, and it’s also a great choice if you’re looking for a quieter spot to enjoy some kayaking or canoeing. The Loch Katrine cruise company offers a variety of trips on the historic steamship Sir Walter Scott or the more modern Lady of the Lake, which run throughout the year. 

Loch Ard

Close to Aberfoyle, sheltered Loch Ard is a popular spot for kayaking, canoeing and wild swimming. Many surrounding forest trails make it a favourite with hikers and mountain bikers, and a large population of brown trout, perch and pike attract lots of fishermen. The national park’s Loch Ard page has more information on the trails, and the Loch Ard Adventure Centre  hires out canoes, kayaks and SUPs. 

Loch Earn

If you’re a thrill-seeker, Loch Earn is the place for you. The Loch Earn Wakeschool here offers training in wakeboarding, waterskiing and wakesurfing, inflatable ‘‘Ringo rides’ and speedboat trips, while the nearby Loch Earn Watersports Centre claims to be the only place in Scotland where you can get your hands (or rather, your feet) on an electric surfboard. Both companies claim that no experience is necessary, but if you don’t fancy that, they also hire out kayaks and paddleboards.

River Teith

If you’re looking for a quieter option than some of the busier lochs, the River Teith could be the place for you. Surrounded by woods and rolling hills, this serene stretch of water around Callander is well-known for salmon and trout fishing (permits required), has gentle stretches for kayaking (CAG Adventures offers guided trips), and has a couple of spots for swimming near Doune Castle. 

Water safety tips and considerations

Tens of thousands of visitors every year enjoy water sports holidays in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs, and local providers all include safety briefings and information as part of their induction programmes. Nonetheless, it’s worth bearing the following simple safety tips in mind before taking to the water:

• Always ensure you have the correct equipment, including buoyancy aids, wetsuits, helmets and appropriate clothing. 

• If you’re a beginner, consider taking a lesson from a professional instructor before setting out on your own.

• Make sure to familiarise yourself with the local weather and conditions when planning a trip – be aware of potential water hazards, currents, storms and high winds.

• Know your limits and stick within the boundaries of your own fitness, experience and abilities.

• Always participate with a friend or as part of a group.

• Follow all local rules and guidelines.

• Always carry water and snacks to help maintain your energy levels.

• Inform someone of your plans, your route, and when you are due to return.

• Carry a fully charged mobile phone in case of emergencies.

• Respect local wildlife, the environment and other water users, and follow the Water Safety Code.
  

Additional information and safety advice for swimmers and recreational water users is available on the national park’s How To Enjoy The Water Safely page, and Water Safety Scotland’s advice hub.

 

With miles of open water set within a breathtakingly beautiful natural landscape, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is one of the best places in the UK for water activities. Whether you want to paddle a canoe, speed along behind a boat, take a relaxing dip or just sit back and enjoy a cruise, there’s a great option out there for you. 

If you’d like to combine your water sports holiday with a few nights under canvas, check out Pitchup’s range of campsites in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.