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Loch Long is a fjord type sea loch in the Cowal area which extends from the Firth of Clyde. It has an arm, Loch Goil, on its western side and is surrounded by mountains with the Arrochar Alps on the west side of the loch’s head. The loch forms the entire western coastline of the Rosneath Peninsula.
The town of Arrochar lies at the head of Loch Long and its good accessibility from Glasgow makes it a popular tourist destination during summer. As the Arrochar Alps are nearby it is not a surprise that many visitors come to go climbing and hill walking. The Cobbler (also called Ben Arthur) and Ben Narnain are very popular climbs in the area. There are several marked walking paths throughout the Argyll Forest Park which are also suitable for mountain biking.
The loch is now also popular for watersports such as diving. However it is quite limited in the upper reaches of the loch around Arrochar in terms of the variety of the dive and the access to the water for boats. The Ardentinny Outdoor Education Centre uses the loch for water based activities but also offers land based activities around the loch.
Loch Long offers good fishing from the shore and from a boat. As you might expect in a sea loch, you can find cod, whiting, plaice, mackerel, skate, wrasse, pollack, spurdog, and many other species in Loch Long. It is free to fish but it is illegal to land any migratory fish such as Salmon or Sea Trout. If these are caught they have to be returned immediately. Fishing boats can be hired from Teighness Stores in Arrochar village or form the camp site at Ardgartan.
There is plenty of accommodation available at Loch Long either in Arrochar or one of the smaller villages around the loch such as Ardentinny or Cove.
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