Stretching for over 20 miles and Scotland’s largest loch by floor space, Loch Lomond can be one of the vital accessible bits of untamed surroundings within the nation, which makes it a tempting prospect if you’re searching for issues to do in Loch Lomond with children.
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And it’s not nearly sights and actions. There’s one thing about Loch Lomond that will get underneath your pores and skin – perhaps it’s the way in which the mountains tumble straight down into the silvery water dotted with islands, or the truth that you can be paddling from just a little seashore in the future and excessive within the hills the following.
However you’ll discover loads to do in Loch Lomond with children in addition to numerous possibilities to benefit from the surroundings – right here’s my choose of the very best for households.
A Loch Lomond boat journey
In case you’re visiting Loch Lomond with children, you’ll be able to’t miss the possibility to get out on the water no less than as soon as, and there’s no scarcity of operators operating journeys from Balloch, Luss and Tarbet.
Cruises vary from shorter 45-minute sightseeing loops to longer journeys across the loch and its 30-odd islands, a number of of which you’ll cease off at. The longer ones additionally take you to the Highland Boundary Fault, the geographic cut up between the lowlands and highlands which cuts throughout Loch Lomond.
Commentary on most cruises factors out landmarks alongside the way in which, together with the mountain of Ben Lomond, and it’s a calming technique to cowl a whole lot of floor (or moderately, water) with out tiring small legs out. Plus, the views are fabulous, whether or not the solar is shining on the water otherwise you’ve received cloud floating moodily throughout the loch.
We took the two-hour Island Discovery tour from Balloch (which additionally makes a cease at Luss) or there’s additionally an hour-long cruise of Loch Lomond in case you favor a shorter jaunt. In case you’re primarily based in Luss, this 75-minute cruise is one other nice possibility.
In case you’d love to do greater than cruise round, there’s a waterbus from Luss and a ferry from Balmaha (summer time solely) to the little island of Inchcailloch (Inchcailleach). Sufficiently small to discover in a few hours, there’s a nature path by the woods and a few beautiful seashores for a paddle.
Attempt some watersports
If you wish to get even nearer to the water, you’ve received loads of possibilities to check out some watersports, together with kayaking and canoeing, or some stand-up paddleboarding.
Luss is a superb place for this, with Loch Lomond Leisure additionally hiring out boats, from pedalos if you wish to keep near shore proper as much as motorboats. And in addition to heading off solo along with your canoe, kayak or SUP, you’ll be able to guide two-hour guided excursions to be taught a number of native secrets and techniques (and have some professional steerage as you go).
Through the summer time, you may as well head to the seashore at Loch Lomond Shores in Balloch, the place there are extra water sports activities and boat rent, in addition to a number of extra adrenaline-fuelled choices like waterskiing and wakeboarding in case you’re visiting with teenagers.
Otherwise you’ll discover extra watersports at Loch Lomond and elsewhere within the Trossachs.
Loch Lomond Shores
In case you’re staying in Balloch, or visiting for the day, Loch Lomond Shores packs a string of sights into the waterfront complicated, together with retailers and eating places, so yow will discover a few of the finest issues to do in Loch Lomond with children inside a couple of minutes’ stroll of one another.
The centrepiece is Drumkinnon Tower, which homes the SEA LIFE Loch Lomond Aquarium (extra on that under), however even with out paying for something, there’s loads to take pleasure in – a lochside promenade with nice views, a woodland stroll and a big free out of doors play park for youthful youngsters.
You’ll discover a number of extra paid sights as effectively, together with mini golf (albeit trying barely drained) and Go Wild Loch Lomond, a treetop journey the place you’re taking up challenges and venturing by the bushes excessive above the bottom.
Add in cafes and eating places too, alongside a number of retailers – together with locations like Mountain Warehouse in case your children instantly want any extra out of doors gear and garments. Or comply with the riverside stroll again to the village and pier.
Parking is paid, however in case you’re staying close by or arriving by prepare, it’s a straightforward stroll from Balloch and Balloch station.
SEA LIFE Loch Lomond Aquarium
Housed inside Drumkinnon Tower at Loch Lomond Shores, the SEA LIFE Loch Lomond Aquarium is likely one of the largest conventional sights at Loch Lomond for youths, with greater than 1,500 creatures throughout a collection of themed rooms.
Supreme in case you’re searching for one thing to do in Loch Lomond within the rain, it’s equally tempting year-round for households who love animals.
You’ll discover an interactive rock pool the place children can contact starfish and different creatures, a household of resident otters, and a tropical ocean tunnel the place you stroll by a glass tunnel with blacktip sharks and rays swimming overhead – at all times a spotlight with youngsters, nevertheless many aquariums they’ve already been to.
There’s additionally a bit devoted to the wildlife of Scotland’s personal lochs and rivers, which makes a pleasant technique to be taught extra concerning the native space.
It’s not an enormous aquarium, so you’ll be able to comfortably get spherical in an hour or two, making it straightforward to mix with lunch at Loch Lomond Shores or a stroll alongside the riverside afterwards.
There are reductions in case you guide upfront, and you may as well get mixed tickets with a ship cruise on Loch Lomond.
Loch Lomond Hen of Prey Centre
Subsequent to Loch Lomond Shores, the Loch Lomond Hen of Prey Centre is a smaller, extra low-key attraction, however one other good one in case your youngsters love animals.
You possibly can stand up near owls, hawks, falcons and eagles, with every day flying shows the place handlers clarify a bit about every species alongside the way in which, together with an opportunity to see golden eagles.
It’s straightforward to spend an hour right here, longer in case you’re watching a show, making it straightforward to mix with a go to to the aquarium, a ship journey or a stroll round Balloch Fortress Nation Park.
Balloch Fortress and Nation Park
A brief stroll from Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch Fortress Nation Park is 200 acres of woodland, gardens and open parkland operating proper all the way down to the shore of the loch, and it’s all free to go to.
The present citadel is a Nineteenth-century mock-Gothic mansion (not open to the general public, and presently fenced off with renovation work going down), constructed close to the location of an older medieval stronghold that when guarded this stretch of the loch for the Earls of Lennox.
For teenagers, the attraction is basically the house to run round – there’s a walled backyard, a fairy path by a part of the woodland, a playground, and lengthy stretches of grass main all the way down to the water the place you’ll be able to paddle or simply sit and watch the boats.
It’s a beautiful spot for a picnic on a sunny day, and quiet sufficient that it by no means feels as busy because the waterfront simply alongside the highway.
There’s an app to obtain with extra issues to look out for, in addition to QR codes to scan for a round stroll taking within the highlights of the park.
Maid of the Loch
Moored at Balloch Pier, the Maid of the Loch is Britain’s final remaining seagoing paddle steamer, inbuilt 1953, and though she’s nonetheless being restored to full working order, she’s open to guests at weekends throughout the summer time months and effectively price a glance in case you’ve received older youngsters concerned with boats or engineering.
You possibly can stroll across the decks and admire the views over the loch from the highest, whereas volunteers are sometimes readily available to elucidate the ship’s historical past and the continuing restoration work – she’s not presently crusing, however the hope is ultimately to get her again out onto the water.
Discover Luss
The village of Luss, about 20 minutes’ drive up the western shore from Balloch, is likely one of the prettiest spots on the entire loch, with its rows of low, vibrant, slate-roofed cottages main all the way down to an extended pebble seashore.
In case you’re not staying right here, it’s straightforward to whereas away a day – wander the village, choose up an ice cream, after which head all the way down to the seashore and pier for the views throughout to the islands and hills on the far shore.
Luss can be the place to begin for the Loch Lomond Faerie Path, a brief, magical woodland stroll aimed toward youthful children, with fairy doorways, homes and hidden particulars tucked among the many bushes alongside the way in which – however with loads of quirky touches to amuse older ones (and adults).
It additionally hyperlinks as much as the riverside path, one in every of a string of straightforward walks across the village.
Do bear in mind Luss will get extraordinarily busy on sunny weekends and within the college holidays, with parking at a premium, so an early begin or a go to exterior peak occasions is an effective plan.
Conic Hill and Balmaha
In case your youngsters are up for a correct stroll, Conic Hill above the village of Balmaha is likely one of the finest brief hikes within the Nationwide Park, with some unbelievable views out from the highest.
The hill sits straight on the Highland Boundary Fault, the geological line separating the Scottish Lowlands from the Highlands, so from the summit you’ll be able to see flat farmland stretching away on one aspect and rolling mountains on the opposite – a useful technique to clarify a little bit of geography and geology to older children.
The primary route from Balmaha customer centre is round 2.5 miles with a round route or there and again possibility, so that you’ll want round two to a few hours at a mild tempo, with a reasonably steep closing push and scramble to the summit.
In case you’d moderately hold issues flatter, Balmaha itself has a beautiful lochside path and an excellent customer centre, plus it’s the departure level for boat journeys out to Inchcailloch.
Go Ape Aberfoyle
For households with a bit extra adrenaline of their blood, Go Ape at Aberfoyle, on the Trossachs aspect of the Nationwide Park, is house to 2 of the longest zip wires within the UK, strung out by the forest.
Programs are graded by age and peak, with a variations appropriate for youthful youngsters aged 4+, accompanied by an grownup, and 6+ (which might be supervised from the bottom in case you don’t fancy heading up).
Plus the complete Tree Prime Journey programs for youths aged 10+ and grown-ups, involving rope bridges, tunnels and, in fact, the zip wires themselves.
It’s a correct half-day exercise when you issue within the security briefing and getting around the course, and it’s a enjoyable change of tempo to having fun with views of the loch – it’s round a half-hour drive from Balmaha and Balloch, longer from Luss.
Queen Elizabeth Forest Park
Additionally close to Aberfoyle, Queen Elizabeth Forest Park is a large expanse of woodland, hills and waterfalls, and a beautiful spot for a household stroll that feels a world away from the busier elements of the loch.
Whereas it’s referred to as one of many stretches of the long-distance West Highland Means, the Waterfall Path is the choose of the strolling routes with children, a well-signed path main by the forest to a collection of waterfalls, with data boards alongside the way in which explaining the encircling wildlife and woodland administration.
You possibly can even hire a BugBag from the customer centre, which provides you all of the tools you might want to be a wilderness explorer from binoculars and compass to pond-dipping jar, identification booklet and map.
There’s additionally an excellent customer centre with a café, picnic spots, a pure play space and viewpoint over the forest and hills past, plus a second loch, Loch Katrine, so there’s loads to maintain everybody entertained, even past the walks and nature trails.
Argyll Forest Park
You’ll additionally discover Argyll Forest Park round an hour’s drive from the western aspect of the loch – Britain’s oldest forest park, it stretches for a whopping 720 miles and is one other nice possibility in case you’re searching for out of doors actions.
Whereas there isn’t a Go Ape course, there are a string of beautiful strolling trails relying how far you’re pleased to drive, together with the straightforward riverside path – go to in spring and also you’ll get to see bluebells in bloom – in addition to one other heading into the woodland itself. Look out for pink deer, pink squirrels and buzzards.
Loch Lomond Pony Trekking
For one thing just a little totally different, Loch Lomond Pony Trekking close to Balloch runs guided treks by the encircling countryside, with routes and pony sizes suited to totally different ages and expertise ranges, together with full novices.
It’s a beautiful, mild technique to see a special aspect of the panorama, trekking throughout the moorland on the south-western fringe of Loch Lomond.
Kids should be aged 12+, so sadly in case you’ve received horse-mad little ones, it’s one you’ll have to save lots of till they’re older.
Meet Highland Cows
You’ll spot area after area of cows (and sheep) as you discover round Loch Lomond, however in case you’ve received your coronary heart set on getting a bit nearer to the endearingly hairy-fringed Highland Cows, there are a string of choices from a fast go to to a extra in-depth expertise.
Head to Trossachs Woollen Mill and their very own small herd of ‘Highland coos’ spend their days within the paddock subsequent to the automotive park – Honey, Hamish Dubh and their calf Holly. In case you head into the store, you may as well purchase luggage of feed to tempt them to the fence, or it’s free to cease and have a look.
Situated round an hour from Balloch and Balmaha, it’s round half an hour from the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park and Go Ape Aberfoyle, so finest to mix with these in case you’re venturing away from the loch itself.
Or nearer to Luss and Balloch, Auchentullich Farm Store has its personal herd of Highland Cows which you’ll spot within the fields.
Additional south, round 20 minutes’ drive from Balloch is Ardardan Property & Monty’s Farm Park which runs farm excursions throughout the summer time months, together with an opportunity to see their Highland Cows – should be prebooked.
However if you would like greater than a fast glimpse, I extremely advocate the Highland Cow and cake expertise at Nether Glenny Farm, round half an hour from Balloch. Finest for teenagers and older tweens, the two-hour small group expertise takes you out onto the farm to get (safely) near the herd, with an opportunity to search out out just a little extra concerning the totally different members and their personalities, plus the cows’ every day life.
Alongside the way in which, you’ll get extra perception into the realities of recent farming, how Matt and Alison are concerned with rewilding, and an opportunity to satisfy – and feed – the flock of Shetland sheep as effectively. All ending with home made cake.
The place to remain in Loch Lomond with children
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs Nationwide Park stretches a great distance, from the busy waterfront at Balloch proper as much as Tyndrum within the north, so there’s no single place to base your self in case you’re hoping to discover the realm.
Having stated that, most households keep round Balloch and the southern finish of the loch, the place the principle household sights are clustered collectively, then take day journeys additional north or into the Trossachs for extra hills and forests.
Balloch can be straightforward to achieve on the prepare, round 45 minutes from Glasgow, with all of the city’s predominant sights in straightforward strolling distance from the station.
Additional across the loch, Luss is extremely fairly and has a unbelievable location on the loch. It’s smaller than Balloch, though it will probably get busy throughout the summer time significantly – it’s usually quieter within the night as soon as the day guests have headed house although.
Balmaha is one other fairly and quieter possibility, in case you’re pleased spending extra time driving round Loch Lomond with children.
Getting round Loch Lomond
Balloch is effectively linked by prepare, with a direct line from Glasgow Queen Avenue taking round 45 minutes, which makes it a very simple day journey. From Balloch station, Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch Fortress Nation Park and the pier are all inside a ten to fifteen minute stroll.
In case you’re planning to discover additional around the loch – to Luss, Balmaha, Tarbet or past – you’ll want a automotive, as public transport thins out significantly as soon as you permit Balloch, and the western and jap shore roads aren’t linked to one another by any direct route across the loch itself.
The roads that do exist might be slender and busy in peak season, significantly the A82 alongside the western shore, so permit extra time than you may anticipate for what appear like brief distances on the map, and think about beginning early to beat each the visitors and the crowds on the extra in style spots like Luss.
Whichever finish of the loch you base yourselves at, the fantastic thing about Loch Lomond with children is that you just’re not often too removed from someplace new to discover – a seashore, a forest path, a ship journey or a citadel park – so it’s straightforward to fill a number of days with out ever feeling such as you’re repeating yourselves.
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Photos: Golden eagle/Conic Hill/Queen Elizabeth Forest Park/Argyll Forest Park courtesy of Depositphotos, all others copyright MummyTravels
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