Lochs in the Trossachs and Lochans in the hills

Lochs in the Trossachs

Loch Katrine Loch Venachar Loch Lubnaig Loch Achray Loch Tay Loch Earn Loch Lomond
Lomond Islands Lake of Menteith Loch Ard near Aberfoyle Loch Voil

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A loch as found in the Trossachs in Scotland is basically the same thing as a 'lake' such as you find in the English Lake District. There are 22 lochs in the Trossachs and many more small lochs and lochans than most people realise. Many of the more beautiful lochs require a little effort to access them and some of the lesser known Trossachs lochs are simply away from the road; some are up in the hills, and some are 'lochans' - gaelic for 'little loch' - which are mostly among the hills. There is even a 'Lake' - the Lake of Menteith just south of Callander on the road to Aberfoyle via the Port of Menteith. The links above lead to information about some of the main lochs and bodies of water in the Trossachs and the map shows the locations. The photo below is of Loch Voil in Balquhidder Glen at the northern end of the Trossachs..

The lochs in the heart of the Trossachs tend to be the more popular for scenic beauty , reflections, fishing and quiet relaxation. Loch Venachar and Loch Achray offer trout, salmon and pike fishing among inspiring scenery and views of the mountains. Loch Lubnaig just north of Callander along with Lochs Voil and Doine in Balquhidder Glen are at their best in the Spring and Autumn, especially when the air is still and the water's surface is like a mirror. In the heart of the Trossachs, Loch Drunkie - nothing to do with alcohol - is surrounded by splendid forests with a maze of forest roads providing access to walkers and bikes - and some forest roads are open to motorists for a small fee.

A narrow road from Aberfoyle leads to Inversnaid and Stronachlachar and whilst the driver may not be able to pay much attention to the scenery on this winding road, his passengers will be treated to fabulous views and reflections in and over loch Ard and Loch Chon. Loch Ard in particular is famed for its reflections at sunset with the lofty peak of Ben Lomond in the background

Loch Katrine is central to the Trossachs attractions and is best known for its steamer - the steamship Sir Walter Scott. The area around Loch Katrine is popular for cyclists and walkers. A steamship cruise up the Loch to Stronachlachar at the western end of this splendid body of water offers the option of making the return trip on foot or by bike down the private road on the north shore where the views merge to forn a fabulous panoramic landscape from start to finish.

Loch Lomond is the best known loch west of the Trossachs and most suitable for watersports, with the most popular part being the southern end on the east shores where water sports are actively encouraged. Wakeboarding, canoeing, kayaking ar available and you can even hire a self drive boat at Balmaha. A cycleway on the west shore provides an interesting option for cyclists and walkers. The West Highland Way long distance footpath winds its way up the east shore via Balmaha and Rowardennan to Inversnaid and Ardlui where a ferry provides an easy crossing to the northern stretch which continues via Crianlarich and Rannoch moor to Fort William.

To the north are Loch Tay, Loch Lyon and loch Dochart. These are not in the Trossachs, but are truly highland lochs surrounded by some of the higher mountains.

Quick Reference table showing location of Trossachs Lochs, access roads and dimensions

LOCH NAME	ROAD ACCESS	DIMENSIONS	LOCH AND LOCHSIDE ACTIVITIES	PLACES NEARBY
Loch Achray	A821	1.25 miles x 0.6mile depth 40ft,	Fishing, Walking, Photography, Hill-walking	Aberfoyle, Callander, Brig o' Turk
Loch Ard	B829	2.5mile long x 1.2 wide approx. depth 60 - 80 ft	Watersports, Fishing, Photography, Walking, Cycling	Kinlochard, Aberfoyle
Loch Arklet	B829	2.5mile x 0.5mile depth 50ft	Walking, Photography, Cycling, Fishing	Stronachlachar, Inversnaid
Loch Chon	B829	9mile long by 1/3 of a mile. depth 70m	Photography, Walking, Cycling, Fishing, Canoeing	Kinlochard, Aberfoyle
Loch Dochart	A85	0.2mile x 200 yards approx. 513ft deep	Photography, Walking, Fishing, Canoeing	Crianlarich
Doine	A84	1 mile long x 1/4 mile	Fishing, Walking, Photography, Cycling, Climbing	Balquhidder
Loch Earn	A85, A84	6mile x 0.6mile depth 280ft	Fishing, Watersports, Photography, Walking, Quad-biking, Bike-riding,	Lochearnhead, St. Fillans
Loch Katrine	A821	7mile x 0.6mile max depth is 490ft	Cycling, Boat-rides, Walking, Photography	Callander, Brig o' Turk
Loch Lomond	A82, B837	24miles x 5 miles max depth 600ft	Cycling, Watersports, Fishing, Photography, Walking, Shopping at Lomond Shores, Hill walks . No wild camping on south east shore or most islands.	Luss, Rowardennan, Balmaha, Inverbeg, Tarbet, Inversnaid, Ardlui, Inveruglas, Arden, Balloch
Loch Lubhair	A85	1.3 mile x 1/3 mile wide, 65ft deep	Fishing, Hill walking	Crianlarich
Loch Lubnaig	A84	4 miles long, width 4km depths 140ft	Fishing, Canoeing, no speedboats	Callander, Strathyre
Lake of Menteith	B8034 A81	1mile x , 1.5mile	Fishing, Photography, Inchmahome priory	Port of Menteith, Callander
Loch Tay	A827	120 miles x 1.25miles 500ft deep	Fishing, Walking, Photography, Camping, Cycling, Hill walks	Killin, Kenmore
Loch Venachar	A821	3.5 mile x 0.6 mile depth100ft	Fishing, Sailing, Photography, Walking, Cycling	Callander, Brig o Turk
Loch Voil	A84	3.5mile x 0.3mile 40ft deep	Fishing, Photography, Walking, Cycling, Hill walks	Balquhidder

 

Lochans

Some interesting Trossachs lochans are:

• Lochan nan Corp (top of stank Glen, Ben Ledi)
• Lochan nan Chat (Lawers range, Loch Tay)
• Lochan an Eirianaich (Kirkton Glen Balquhidder)
• Lochan a Chroin (south of Stuc a Chroin hill)
• Lochan Balloch (west of Ben Gullipen)
• Lochan Reoidhte (Achray forest )

 

The Trossachs and things to see and do