Watersports in the National Park
The Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park contains 22 lochs with some of them offering a large variety of watersports. No matter if you prefer more adventurous activities such as waterskiing or quieter ones such as fishing, you will find the right activity for you in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. While fishing and kayaking/canoeing are possible throughout almost the whole park, other water sports activities can be only done on certain lochs.
Loch Lomond and Loch Earn are the main spots with a large choice of water sports. On Loch Lubnaig and Loch Venacher sailing is permited. On Loch Katrine, only fishing and a cruise with the SS Sir Walter Scott are allowed. Other lochs and rivers in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs are great for paddling or fishing. In the Trossachs you can find many lochs perfect for kayaking and canoeing such as Loch Drunkie, Loch Achray, Loch Ard and Loch Katrine.
Loch Lomond
One of Loch Lomond’s classical activities is boating allowing you to see the National Park from a different perspective and visit the 38 islands of the loch. For those who want to use their own boat it is necessary to register the boat before entering Loch Lomond unless it doesn’t have any engine. This can be done in the villages of Balloch, Balmaha and Ardlui. Other great water sports activities on Loch Lomond are sailing, windsurfing, wakeboarding, waterskiing, canoeing and kayaking. For relaxed sailing or windsurfing, the Milarrochy Bay on the east shore is one of the most popular spots. In the North of Milarrochy you can find Loch Lomond Sailing Club. Loch Lomond is the right place for watersports enthusiasts and there is even the possibility to hire a speed boat.
Loch Earn
Also Loch Earn in the north-east of the Park is perfect for a great day out. No matter if you want to rent a boat or launch your own one, Loch Earn makes both possible. At Lochearnhead in the west end of the loch you can find the Lochearnhead Watersports Centre. Activities provided by the Watersports Centre include: waterskiing, wakesurfing, wakeboarding, water zorbing and kayaking. Other watersports activities offered on Loch Earn include kneeboarding, speed boating and banana rides. After your exciting day out you can relax in one of the cafes or restaurants around the Loch. If you fancy watersports, Loch Earn will be the right place for you.
Loch Venachar and Lubnaig
For those interested in sailing, Loch Lomond and Loch Earn are not the only places in the National Park where this activity is pemited. Other exciting lochs for sailing are Loch Lubnaig and Loch Venachar. Loch Lubnaig also allows small boats with engines up to 10 h.p, but speed boats waterskiing etc. are not permited. This loch is more suitable for a relaxed and quiet day out for those who want to go fishing, have a picnic, or those who like windsurfing. On Loch Venachar the Loch Venachar sailing club offers certified sailing courses and organises races. Motor Boats can be rented from Venachar Lochside.
The Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park has everything you need for great watersports activities. For more information about watersports click on the buttons below.
Loch Long and Loch Goil
A completely different activity is possible at Loch Long in the West of the National Park. This sea loch has an interesting under water world of anemones, peacock worms and reefs with lobsters and crabs. No matter if you go diving in the summer or winter, thanks to the Gulf Stream the water usually doesn't get much colder than 10 degrees celsius. You can also snorkel in Loch Long's caves and see colourful reefs.
At Loch Long and Loch Goil you can also hire boats for a boat trip or angling in the sea lochs. Loch Goil has a Watersports Club and there are a few organisations where you can rent boats.
