




UPDATED FOR 2025: Loch Lomond offers brilliant Scottish escape with breathtaking mountain views and crystal-clear waters. Lodges with hot tubs near the loch make for the perfect base to explore everything this stunning national park has to offer. After hiking Ben Lomond or cycling the West Highland Way slip into your private hot tub and watch the sunset over the water.
As well as the beautiful scenery, there’s a wealth of fantastic activities for excellent family-friendly activities including the SEA LIFE Loch Lomond Aquarium and TreeZone aerial adventure course.
Boat trips across the loch are one of the best ways to explore the hidden islands. Or if you appreciate a proper dram, nearby distilleries offer tours. Year-round accessibility makes these waterside lodges popular regardless of season (though booking ahead is a wise move during summer months!)
Going self-catering means you have privacy and loads of space for everyone to do their own thing and the ability to prep and cook when you like. With a choice of stays from luxury cabins to dog-friendly glamping!
You can’t get much closer to Loch Lomond than this. It’s a hop and a skip from your lodge (seriously, don’t fall in!) These luxury lodges give you immediate access to one of Scotland’s most stunning bodies of water and you can enjoy the loch without fighting crowds.
Each lodge offers outstanding views across the water and comes with a large hot tub on the private terrace. Bedrooms can be set up as twins or super king-size and both have en-suite bathrooms.
The site sits near Balmaha village and provides easy access to historic castles and golf courses. This is a great spot for swimming, sailing, boating and all the other water sports right from the private beach. On-site fishing is available at these lodges.
Jumping in freezing Scottish water not your thing? How about spa and beauty treatments that can be enjoyed in the privacy of your lodge? There’s also an on-site restaurant serving breakfast, brunch and lunch when you don’t feel like cooking. After that, explore the large exclusive grounds spanning 18 acres.
The lodges feature covered hot tubs that seat up to four people so you can soak whatever the weather. Eight lodges are available with four being pet-friendly (Drumlanrig, Mellerstain, Lismore and Mount Stewart) and four pet-free options.
Just a mile from Loch Lomond you’ll find this lovely spacious three-bedroom property with an excellent location not just for the loch but for nearby restaurants, cafes and pubs.
It features a fantastic private patio area complete with hot tub and bespoke gazebo so you can get a good soak even if it’s chucking it down (which it can do a lot!) With seating and a charcoal BBQ, the outdoor area is great for family gatherings.
Inside you’ll find three double bedrooms (one with en-suite) and beautifully furnished living spaces that make this feel like a proper home rather than just a holiday rental.
Balloch is just a mile away with its restaurants, cafes, pubs and shops. The area offers loads of attractions like the Bird of Prey Centre, Sea Life Aquarium and TreeZone’s aerial adventure course. Make the most of the loch with paddleboarding, wakeboarding, kayaking or water skiing!
This family-friendly lodge has everything you need to keep everyone happy including fast internet access, enclosed garden and patio.
A good choice if you’re travelling with baby as there’s a travel cot and highchair available.
Minutes from the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, these luxury lodges provide the perfect escape for families and groups. The 5-star Signature Lodges and contemporary Junior Deluxe Lodges all come with private outdoor hot tubs.
Spacious 2, 3 and 4-bedroom options are available sleeping up to 8 people. The 4-bedroom Signature Lodge is perfect for larger groups with plenty of space across all bedrooms plus open-plan kitchen and dining areas.
Each lodge includes fully equipped kitchens, free Wi-Fi, bed linen and utilities. The Junior Deluxe Lodges are pet-friendly with up to two dogs welcome. All hot tub lodges feature modern appliances and contemporary furnishings.
The park offers on-site facilities and you’re perfectly placed to explore Loch Lomond’s attractions. Swimming pools, spa facilities and restaurants are available on-site when you don’t want to venture far.
This lodge is absolutely lovely, with a fantastic wooden cabin and a beautiful private location!
Around 30 miles from Loch Lomond, these woodland cabins offer something a bit different with a fab forest location providing a genuine escape with original features that give these lodges authentic character.
Each cabin boasts high-spec interiors that feel very luxurious, with real wood log burners for chilly Scottish evenings and private hot tubs on the deck.
Fully equipped kitchens include Nespresso Vertuo coffee machines and bathrooms come stocked with posh L’OCCITANE toiletries.
From your forest lodge you can reach Callander Golf Club (15 minutes), Blair Drummond Safari Park (25 minutes) and Stirling Castle (30 minutes). Fans of Outlander will appreciate being just 30 minutes from Doune Castle where parts of the series were filmed!
Choose between 2-bed or 3-bed cabins that sleep up to 6 guests. These dog-friendly lodges welcome one pup per cabin. The outdoor decking with dining furniture and professional gas BBQ make for some great family cook-outs!
These luxury wood cabins sit between mountain views and Loch Lubnaig.
Each cabin features underfloor heating throughout and a private outdoor hot tub that’s perfect after a day exploring Strathyre Forest.
The spacious outdoor decking area serves as an additional living space in good weather, while inside you’ll find comfortable accommodation with flexible sleeping arrangements in either 2 or 3-bedroom options.
Venture beyond your woodland hideaway to visit Stirling Castle (40 mins), Blair Drummond Safari Park (35 mins) or try the Go Ape Treetop Challenge at Aberfoyle (10 mins). The cabins are perfectly positioned for spotting local wildlife including red deer that frequently make appearances around the lodges.
These pet friendly lodges welcome one dog per cabin and provide all the self catering essentials you need. Each comes with two bathrooms to eliminate morning queues, fully integrated kitchens and smart TVs.
Loch Lomond sits at the heart of Scotland’s first national park with mountains towering over the UK’s largest inland stretch of water! The area packs in more views than you can shake a stick at with Ben Lomond dominating the skyline at a whopping 974 metres high!
Key attractions include Loch Lomond Shores shopping complex, the Sea Life Aquarium and Balloch Castle Country Park. The oak woodlands around the loch are ancient and home to wildlife including red deer and pine martens.
Around 50,000 people climb Ben Lomond annually making it Scotland’s most popular Munro. The well-maintained path takes 4-6 hours to complete and offers spectacular views across the loch and surrounding peaks.
While our dog is perfectly happy walking the same route a million times, it doesn’t hurt to give them a bit of a holiday. And they’ll love Loch Lomond. The endless walking trails means they can sniff, pee and run until their hearts are content. Many self catering lodges welcome dogs with some even providing dog beds and treats.
The Loch Lomond Arms Hotel in Luss has a dog-friendly bar area where you can grab lunch after walkies and their beer garden is the perfect spot for pet owners too.
Balloch Country Park offers 200 acres of woodland paths and open grass areas where dogs can zoom about freely. (Just keep them on leads near the formal gardens and children’s play areas).
Most boat operators including Sweeney’s Cruises and Cruise Loch Lomond welcome well-behaved dogs on board free of charge. The historic Steamship Sir Walter Scott also welcomes four-legged passengers.
Top tip: Many waterside pubs welcome dogs in their outdoor areas and provide water bowls. Perfect after a long walk around the loch!
1. Loch Lomond Shores – This waterfront complex in Balloch combines shopping with eating and activities. The TreeZone aerial adventure course will have you swinging through the trees like Tarzan …only with better safety equipment. Open daily with multiple ziplines including a 90-metre finale.
2. Inchcailloch Island – Take a ferry from Balmaha (every 30 minutes from 9:30am-5pm) or book with Cruise Loch Lomond and explore this uninhabited island. The ancient woodland here dates back thousands of years! The ruined church of St Kentigerna offers glimpses of 8th-century history including gravestones of MacFarlanes and MacGregors.
3. Luss Village – This conservation village has rows of pretty cottages with flower-filled gardens. The beach offers stunning views across to Ben Lomond. Featured in the TV show ‘Take the High Road’ it’s now popular with tourists in summer but worth it for the views. Regular boat services operate from Luss pier.
4. Glengoyne Distillery – Located at the foot of Dumgoyne Hill this distillery offers tours and tastings. Open 7 days a week from 10am-5pm, they claim to be Scotland’s most beautiful distillery. Their whisky tours range from basic tastings to 5-hour masterclasses where you can blend your own whisky.
5. SEA LIFE Loch Lomond – Home to over 1,500 creatures across 7 themed zones including Scotland’s largest collection of sharks. The Tropical Ocean Tunnel lets you walk underwater surrounded by blacktip sharks and rays. Don’t miss the playful Asian short-clawed otters and interactive rockpool experience.
Attraction | Activity Type | Price Guide | Suitable for |
---|---|---|---|
Loch Lomond Shores | Shopping/Activities | Free entry (activities ££) | Families, Shoppers |
Inchcailloch Island | Nature/Walking | ££ (ferry) | Walkers, Nature Lovers |
Luss Village | Scenic Village | Free | Photographers, History Fans |
Glengoyne Distillery | Whisky Tours | £££££ | Adults, Whisky Enthusiasts |
Ben Lomond | Hill Walking | Free (£3 parking) | Active Visitors, Families |
Sea Life Loch Lomond | Aquarium | ££££ | Families, Rainy Days |
Balloch Castle Park | Country Park | Free | Dog Walkers, Families |
Cruise Loch Lomond | Boat Tours | £££ | Everyone |
Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre | Wildlife | ££ | Families, Wildlife Fans |
TreeZone Adventure | Aerial Course | £££ | Age 8+, Adventure Seekers |
When’s the best time to visit Loch Lomond?
May to September offers the best weather but July and August are heaving with tourists. Consider May or September for decent weather without the crowds. Don’t avoid colder months though – your hot tub will be just as good whatever the weather and the prices will be a ‘wee bit’ cheaper!
Do I need a car in Loch Lomond?
Realistically, yes. While there are trains to Balloch public transport around the loch is limited. Many of the best log cabins and holiday lodges are in remote spots. The X10 bus runs from Glasgow to some distilleries but most attractions require your own transport.
Is Loch Lomond any good for kids?
Absolutely! The area is packed with adventure. The Sea Life Centre, TreeZone (age 8+) and watersports will give them plenty to do. Many accommodations have play areas and safe beaches around the loch too. The aerial adventure courses have different difficulty levels suitable for various ages.
How deep is Loch Lomond?
The loch plunges to 190 metres (620 feet) at its deepest northern point – that’s deep enough to hide a 60-storey building! No monsters have been spotted yet, though locals whisper about their own “Morag” sightings. The loch contains 22 named islands and stretches 23 miles from north to south.
Can you swim in Loch Lomond?
Yes but it’s bloody freezing even in summer! Averaging just 10°C throughout the year. Over 50,000 people attempt Ben Lomond annually and many cool off in the loch afterwards. Stick to designated swimming areas, check local advice, then warm up in your hot tub! Watersports operators provide wetsuits for activities.
Are there midges at Loch Lomond?
Yes from May to September (worst at dawn and dusk, especially near the 30+ islands). They’re particularly troublesome around the wooded eastern shores. Bring repellent and long sleeves for evening hot tub sessions. They can’t get you once you’re in the bubbling water though!
Can I bring my dog on a boat trip?
Most operators welcome well-behaved dogs on board free of charge. Sweeney’s Cruises, Cruise Loch Lomond and the historic Steamship Sir Walter Scott all allow dogs. Check when booking as some experiences may have restrictions. Water bowls are usually provided on board.
What boat trips are available?
Multiple operators run services year-round. Sweeney’s Cruise Co offers 1-hour scenic cruises from Balloch (12pm-4pm May-September). Cruise Loch Lomond runs services from Luss, Tarbet and Balmaha with options to hop off at islands. Ferry services to Inchcailloch run every 30 minutes from Balmaha. Combined tickets with SEA LIFE are available.
Is wild camping allowed?
Restricted between March and September in the east shore camping management zone – you’ll need permits for the busiest spots. The loch sits within the 720 square miles of Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. Designated camping areas are available and many lodges have space for tents if you fancy a night under the stars!