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Loch Lomond - general information

Loch Lomond is 23 miles long, 5 miles wide and 22 feet above sea level. It has a total area of 18,000 acres. The peaks, glens and hidden passages comprising the rugged terrain are steeped in romance and mystique. This area has been an inspiration to poets for many years; Wordsworth, Coleridge and Scott, to name only a few. Moreover, Loch Lomond has the honor of being the first national park in Scotland.

Visitors to this area will be far away from the noise of the city, immersed in tranquil serenity. At the same time, the park is less than an hour away from Edinburgh and Glasgow. The area is well-connected by road and railway, and there are many footpaths and cycle tracks leading to the park's hidden gems.

The boundary between the Scottish lowlands and highlands is right here, so you can have the best of both worlds. The lowlands end at the Fault boundary, and from there onwards the terrain is mountainous with slender lochs and narrow glens.

The area's wildlife is exceptionally diverse. Moss and lichen adorn the branches of the western woodlands, while arctic plants can be found on the mountaintops. The powan, a rare freshwater fish, is endemic to this loch. There are over 200 species of avifauna and 25% of the wild plants in all of Britain in this area. Fauna and avifauna species include deer, pike, osprey, buzzards, wildcats, geese, falcons, golden eagles, ptarmigans, wallabies, peregrines and many more. It truly is a nature lover's paradise.

Glen Falloch is found at the northern end of the loch. The rare, delightful Pied Flycatcher began increasing its breeding range near here. You might hear the striking music produced by this bird while walking in Glen Falloch. You should watch for ptarmigans in the summer while climbing the Ben Lomond. These arctic birds began to nest in the area at the end of the ice age 11 millenniums ago.

The barrier between Loch Long and Loch Lomond is formed by peaceful glens and hills. This is the perfect place for a nature walk. The mountains reach an elevation of 3,000 feet, and in the spring, Loch Lomond is enriched with a diverse array of colors. Beautiful woodland plants like the wood sorrel, wood anemone, lesser celandine and bluebells push up their heads, creating a veritable carpet of colors.

In the winter, Loch Lomond is far from monotonous and lonely. The southeastern part of the loch is populated by birds from the Arctic Circle. You can see large flocks of teal and mallard. In sub-zero temperatures, wildfowl from surrounding reservoirs and lochs move to this area. The total number of birds sometimes rises to 3,000.

Loch Lomond features a myriad of mesmerizing islands. The ones to the west are managed by Luss Estates and open to the public. You must respect them and take your litter home with you. The largest of the islands include Inchmurrin, Creinch, Clairinch, Inchcailloch, Inconnachan, and Inchlonaig.

Inchmurrin is the biggest inland island in Britain, and was named after Saint Mirren. It is the property of the Scott family and serviced by a private ferryboat. It is the only island with hotels and accommodation facilities. There is also a historical landmark here: the ruins of an ancient abbey.

It is believed that Clairinch was settled as far back as the Iron Age. Artificial islands called crannogs, made of brushwood, logs and boulders have been built offshore. Generally, their purpose was to provide a safe place from attack.

Inchcailloch Island is part of the Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve. It offers picnic and barbecue facilities and a self-guided nature trail. This island is managed by the Scottish Natural Heritage. Forty-one wallabies populate the island of Inconnachan. They were brought there by Lady Arran in 1980.

Inchlonaig translates as the 'island of yews' because of the yew trees which grow there.

Loch Lomond offers many modern conveniences; it's not just a nature reserve. You can find many quality shopping and retail outlets. Loch Lomond Scotland offers heather honey, authentic Malt Whisky and even handmade kilts. For traditional Scottish souvenirs, visit Jenners of Edinburgh at Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch. Designer brands like Versace, Nike, Adidas and FCUK are available at a discount at Lomond Galleries in Alexandria. Visit Inverbeg Galleries for modern Scottish art, souvenirs and jewelry. You will always need fine Scottish woolens to keep you warm. Quality knitwear, cashmere jumpers, Scottish clan tartans and hand-woven blankets are on sale at Antartex Village, Trossachs Woolen Mill and the Scottish Wool Center.

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