A new timetabled water bus service means that visitors will now be able to arrive by train and set sail to some of the most scenic towns, villages and beauty spots around Loch Lomond.
Following a successful pilot last year, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park has supported the introduction of daily scheduled services that take in 12 destinations covering south, east, west and north of the Loch.
Only 45 minutes from Glasgow, people can now leave their car at home and take ScotRail train services to Balloch or Tarbet stations to catch a boat to places rich in history and culture, romantic restaurants with views, picnic sites and breathtaking walks.
The National Park has worked closely with operators including Cruise Loch Lomond and Sweeney’s Cruises along with Scottish Enterprise who contributed funding for the initial pilot and marketing the new service.
The initiative has also benefited from a significant investment by the National Park to repair the Loch piers during the winter. The co-ordinated timetables now bring together all water transport on the loch including on demand services from ferry operators including MacFarlane & Sons at Balmaha and others.
The Water Bus routes include Balloch to Balmaha, Cameron House and Balloch Country Park, Rowardennan to Luss, Tarbet to Inversnaid and Rowardennan, Luss to Inchcailloch and Balmaha.
Gordon Watson, National Park Director of Planning and Rural Development said: “By supporting regular scheduled water bus services, we hope to encourage more people to explore the National Park by alternative means of transport, providing a fantastic visitor experience, and reducing some of the traffic at key visitor hotspots around Loch Lomond.
These new timetables will help people plan their day out and we are delighted that local cruise operators have worked so closely with us to provide the new services. It is a great way of getting more people visiting different destinations which will benefit local tourism businesses around the Loch.
Whether you want to visit Rob Roy’s Cave and the stunning waterfall at Inversnaid, cycle along the west Loch Lomond cycle path, walk a section of the West Highland Way or simply take in the views of the Loch from Luss, I would encourage visitors to experience the Loch from a new perspective and explore what the National Park has to offer.”
Stuart Cordner from Cruise Loch Lomond: “The Waterbus Service is raising the profile of Loch Lomond’s water transport options which have been operating on the Loch for decades. The Waterbus timetable covers the whole Loch providing integrated ferry information allowing visitors to plan their Loch Lomond experience in advance.
The new service gives walkers, cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy the fresh air, take some exercise and sample the tranquility that Loch Lomond has to offer.”
Mike Cantlay, Chairman VisitScotland: “There is a great tradition of people travelling from towns and cities to the water and Loch Lomond offers the people of Scotland and the world a fantastic experience taking in some of the greatest scenery we have to offer.
We need to capitalize on the natural assets we have in Scotland and what better way to welcome people to one of the most iconic attractions than by water. I am delighted to see the National Park working so closely with local tourism businesses to deliver this initiative”
For more information about the Water Bus service and timetables see the National Park website. Walks on both sides of Loch Lomond including full details of the West Highland Way can be found free on Walkhighlands.