Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is the first national park to be established in Scotland. The park covers an area of 720 square miles in the west of Scotland, just a short drive north of Glasgow. It comprises 21 Munros (peaks over 300ft tall) with the popular Ben Lomond reputedly being the most climbed peak in Scotland. The park has 22 large lochs including Loch Lomond, Loch Long and Loch Venachar, along with countless other lakes that make up nearly 7% of the park.

When you think of Loch Lomond you surely think of those 'bonny, bonny banks' described in the eponymous song. But did you know that it's not just Loch Ness that has a monster? Loch Lomond also has its own mythical beast. Described as either crocodilian in appearance or more like a plesiosaur, sightings are rare, but keeping the creature a secret is perhaps easier now that wild camping has been restricted along the lake's shore?

The park is easily accessed from Glasgow and Edinburgh, but head over Loch Eck in the west of the park and you can experience peace and tranquillity when compared to the crowds in Balloch.

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Top Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Attractions

This being Scotland, visitors to the park are in for a treat when it comes to wildlife spotting. Beavers, red squirrel, peregrine falcon and osprey, can all be spotted if you're patient and have an eagle eye! As you might expect the natural world is the main attraction in the area, with the Sealife Centre and the Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre allowing you to get up close to some of the wild local residents.

There are regulations on camping within the park, with wild camping rights restricted along the shores of several lochs, but with lots of alternative campsites available, this rule introduced in 2017 helps keep lake shores pristine. The West Highland Way passes through the park, as does the Loch Lomond and Cowal Way, making this a haven for walkers and hikers.

If you're looking for something more relaxing to keep you occupied, then a cruise on Loch Lomond is a great way to explore the park. The historic steamer, the Sir Walter Scott on Loch Katrine, has been out of action since 2020, and a fund has been set up to return the iconic ship to the waves. Looking below the waves, divers might be interested to explore the Loch Long Torpedo Range where decommissioned test torpedos can be found along the loch bed.

Top Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Campsites