Loch Lomond, Scotland’s largest Loch, by area, some 36 kilometers (24 miles) long and 8 kilometers (5 miles) wide.  It is situated North West of Glasgow.  There are about 38 islands on the Loch, some of them are inhabited and there’s even accommodation on one.  Inchmurrin Island is the largest of Loch Lomond’s islands.  It offers self-catering apartments, restaurant, bar and function suite. 

Loch Lomond is a great place for a short day trip or a longer island hoping trip you could even spend a couple of days exploring the Loch.  Being a Loch it’s flat water, on a nice day.  However, when it's windy it’s not a place to be paddling.  The wind will whip up the water to a fierce some state that will intimidate the experienced paddler.  Always check the forecast prior to getting on the Loch.


One of the islands, Inchcailloch, is a dream to visit!

Image produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service.
Image reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey and
Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland

From Milarrochy bay (NS 409 925) paddle to the Arrochymore Point (NS 409 917) continue in a Southerly direction towards Inchcailloch.  Once you come to the Island either go round which ever way you want.  The island isn’t that big and it shouldn’t take much more than 40 minutes to paddle round. Whichever way you navigate; make your way to Port Bawn (NS 406 899).  This glorious bay is reasonably secluded.  Take a picnic or BBQ and a good book.  Relax on the grass or beach and soak in the surroundings.  I guarantee you’ll not be disappointed!

The island, Inchcailloch, is part of Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve and supports self-guided nature trail, picnic and barbecue facilities.  There is also the availability to camp on the island, this must be booked in advance, however.  Once you’re ready to go, launch your boats and head back the way you came, or go round the island again. 

For a longer trip Leave Milarrochy Bay, heading North, towards Strathcashell Point (NS 392 931) then to the Island Inchlonaig (NS 387 936).  Have a wee breather on the island and take some pictures.  Once you’ve had your fill of the island head towards Ross Point (NS 364 955), coming into Ross Point you’ll see two very small islands go thorough the middle of them, it’s kinda fun to try and spot them.  At this point you can continue staying close to the side of the Loch or cross over.  If you stay on the same side and continue paddling to Rowardennan Hotel, you might catch some lunch and coffee.  After taking some more pictures head North again to Rob Roy’s Prison (NN 338 029).  There’s not much to see but a small cave.  From here if you want to cross the Loch to Tarbet (NN 321 045) there’s another chance for some lunch. Once you have made it here head back they way you came.  If you’re an average paddler it’ll take about 6-8 hours all in, depending how long you stop for drinks, pictures or eating. 

Milarrochy Bay is an ideal spot to leave cars and park up for the day.  There is a nice pebbled beach where launching is easy and a swim is very tempting in the warmer summer days.  

Loch Lomond offers more than just paddling.  Arguably, the most popular long distance walk in the country runs parallel to the East coast of the Loch.  The West Highland Way.  At just under 100 miles this walk is fabulous.  Leaving Milngavie, just outside Glasgow, to Fort William.  It passes from the lowlands, through the Highland Boundary Fault and on to the Scottish Highlands.