Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond, a freshwater loch northwest of Glasgow, is known for boat trips, lochside villages and the West Highland Way.
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Loch Lomond is a freshwater loch about 23 km northwest of Glasgow. At roughly 71 square km, it is the largest loch in Great Britain by surface area. The loch forms part of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, created in 2002, and it sits on the Highland Boundary Fault. Ben Lomond, 973.7 m high, rises on the eastern shore.
Balloch, at the southern end, is the simplest start from Glasgow, since the North Clyde Line ends there. Boat cruises leave from Balloch, Tarbet, Inversnaid, Luss and Rowardennan. The West Highland Way follows the eastern bank for walkers, and a cycle path runs about 28 km along the west bank. Rain is over 3,000 mm a year in the northern hills, so pack waterproofs. Two or three days is enough for a boat trip, a shore walk and a village.
Loch Lomond in five
- Book a camping permit from March to SeptemberThe National Park says you need a permit in the Camping Management Zones between March and September, and none from October to February. Its Q&A page lists £4.30 per tent per night, up to three nights.
- Camp lightly outside the zonesThe Scottish Outdoor Access Code treats wild camping as small, lightweight and for two or three nights in one place. Keep away from buildings, roads and enclosed fields, and take your litter.
- Plan the West Highland Way in sectionsThe route runs 96 miles from Milngavie to Fort William and follows the east shore of the loch. Split it by public transport and bed availability, not by the map alone.Fort William
- Landing at Glasgow? Apply for the ETA on GOV.UKGOV.UK says an ETA allows up to 6 months for tourism and warns that other websites may charge more than its £20 fee. Apply only on GOV.UK or the official app.UK ETA explained
- Check the Three Lochs Forest Drive seasonForestry and Land Scotland says the 7 mile drive closed to public vehicles at 4pm on 30 September and reopens in the spring. Check its page before you plan a Trossachs loop.
Need to know
- Airport
- Glasgow (GLA); Edinburgh (EDI) also works
- Getting there
- Train from Glasgow to Balloch; the A82 by car
- Getting around
- Car for Luss and the east shore; check buses before you rely on them
- Best base
- Balloch for transport; Luss for a village stay
- Time needed
- 1 day from Glasgow; 2 to 3 days with walking
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuarySnow20 rainy days9 snowy daysHigh2°Low-2°Cold, wetJanuarySnow
Poor
- High
- 2°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 201 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 9
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, wet
- FebruarySnow20 rainy days10 snowy daysHigh2°Low-2°Cold, quietFebruarySnow
Poor
- High
- 2°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 234 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 10
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- MarchRain18 rainy days6 snowy daysHigh4°Low-1°Cool, showersMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 4°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 176 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 6
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, showers
- AprilRain14 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh7°Low0°Mild, quietAprilRain
Good
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 104 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- MayRain16 rainy daysHigh11°Low4°Long daysMayRain
Best
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 116 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long days
- JuneRain20 rainy daysHigh13°Low6°Long daysJuneRain
Best
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 156 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long days
- JulyRain21 rainy daysHigh14°Low8°Busy, midgesJulyRain
Best
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 162 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Busy, midges
- AugustRain22 rainy daysHigh13°Low8°Busy, midgesAugustRain
Good
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 204 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Busy, midges
- SeptemberRain19 rainy daysHigh11°Low6°Autumn lightSeptemberRain
Good
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 200 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn light
- OctoberRain21 rainy daysHigh8°Low4°Autumn colorOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 248 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- NovemberRain18 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh4°Low0°Wet, darkNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 4°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 195 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, dark
- DecemberSnow20 rainy days8 snowy daysHigh3°Low-1°Cold, short daysDecemberSnow
Poor
- High
- 3°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 229 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 8
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, short days
Average daily high and low in Balloch, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Loch Lomond
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
7
- Feels like
- 5°
- Humidity
- 89%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Loch Lomond
08:48 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today9°5°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue10°8°1%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Wed9°7°2%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 9°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Thu9°5°2%Thursday: Drizzle. High 9°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Fri9°7°9%Friday: Drizzle. High 9°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 9%.
- Sat8°5°16%Saturday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 16%.
- Sun7°4°6%Sunday: Fog. High 7°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 6%.
Updated 05:50 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.7469 GBP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Coming up
Every year
- JulTRNSMTGlasgow, a day trip
- AugEdinburgh International Book FestivalEdinburgh, a day trip
- AugEdinburgh International FestivalEdinburgh, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Lussby car; check bus times firstA village on the west shore with a pier and short loch walks.
- Inchmahome Prioryby boat from Port of MenteithA ruined priory on an island; Historic Environment Scotland lists adult tickets at £10 online and closes it from 1 November.
- Glasgowby train to Balloch and backThe nearest big city, with free museums and an easy rail link.Read the guide
Before you go to Loch Lomond
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Rules for Loch Lomond, checked
- Camping Management Zones: permit needed 1 March to 30 September; none October to February; £4.30 per tent or campervan per night, three nights maximum.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- Three Lochs Forest Drive: 7 miles; closed to public vehicles from 4pm on 30 September; reopens in the spring.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- Inchmahome Priory: adult £10 online; boat from Port of Menteith; open 1 April to 31 October; closed 1 November to 31 March.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Loch Lomond
The gateway city for Loch Lomond
Read the guideCentral ScotlandStirling, Doune and the Falkirk Wheel
Read the guideCentral HighlandsGlencoe and the road north
Read the guideFort WilliamThe end of the West Highland Way
Read the guideSouthern Highlands & IslandsOban and the CalMac islands beyond the loch
Read the guideTrains, buses and carsRail links and hire cars
Read the guideAll of ScotlandCities, islands and the UK ETA
Read the guideLoch Lomond FAQ
Do you need a permit to camp at Loch Lomond?
Yes in the Camping Management Zones from March to September, according to the National Park, while October to February needs no permit. Outside the zones, follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and camp lightly.
Can you wild camp at Loch Lomond?
Only with a permit or at a campsite inside the Camping Management Zones from 1 March to 30 September. The National Park says failure to comply could mean a report to the Procurator Fiscal and a fine of up to £500.
How do you get to Loch Lomond from Glasgow without a car?
By train to Balloch for the southern shore. For Luss, Tarbet and Arrochar, use Traveline Scotland to check buses and the West Highland Line, and confirm each leg since timetables vary by day.
How many days do you need at Loch Lomond?
One day covers Balloch and Luss from Glasgow. Two or three days suit a walk on the West Highland Way, a night in Arrochar or Rowardennan and a Trossachs side trip.
Are midges bad at Loch Lomond?
They can be near water and woodland, mostly at dawn and dusk on calm, overcast days. The Highlands guide has the season; pack repellent and light clothing.