Best Loch to take a cruise on

My absolute favourite is on the steamship Sir Walter Scott on Loch Katrine in the Trossachs.
If you are not going to have a car the new Trossachs Explorer bus will get you there- running from 5 July to 4 October this year.
Rail connections from Glasgow at Alexandria and a bus from Stirling to Callander connects.
Another very good one is Loch Shiel, from Glenfinnan. A long loch with no roads so the only way to see it.
If you wanted to you could spend the previous night at Glenfinnan railway station in an old railway sleeping car. Or there are more conventional alternatives, especially if you have a car!

Hi, Kim,

Another vote for Loch Katrine aboard the Sir Walter Scott. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Sir_Walter_Scott One of the pleasures about this tour is that, if you're an aficionado (or even if you're not!) of steam engines, you can look right down into the workings of the engine.

You have the option of hiring a bicycle and taking it with you on the Walt. You can then get off at Stronachlachar, and bicycle back along the shore of Loch Katrine. Or for more intrepid visitors, hiking back along the 13 mile trail is another option.

It's also possible to get off at Stronachlachar, have lunch at the Pier Cafe, then take a later boat back.

If you get as far as Mallaig, Western Isles Cruises offers an evening wildlife cruise on Loch Nevis, or you can take their afternoon "commuter" cruise, which traverses almost the entire length of Loch Nevis. Loch Nevis is a sea loch, so the water can get a bit choppy at times.

Have a wonderful time in Scotland!

Mike (Auchterless)

I've never taken a boat trip there, but Loch Katrine is an extremely aesthetically pleasing loch. Moreso maybe than some of the wilder locations out further west and north.

It's the major source of fresh water for Glasgow I believe.

Thank you so much for that recommendation. I checked out Loch Katrine and it looks amazing!

I don't know if Stuart or Mike know much about cruising on Loch Lomond these days, but that's an interesting proposition too. Maybe a bit more touristy than Loch Katrine.

Loch Lomond is certainly more touristy.

I always haver about complicating it, but what I did once taking the benefit of being on the bus, was to do what the Victorians did.
Go one way on Loch Katrine, walk down to Inversnaid (they took horse and cart), the ferry to Tarbet via the Head of the Loch, then train (or bus in my case) back to Glasgow- a fine day out.
I actually did bus to Helensburgh, the now closed route to Gourock then train to Glasgow.
The Victorians often took the paddle steamer back to Balloch, then the train from the former Balloch Pier station.
My version is a great day out although I think the scenery on Katrine is way superior to me.
Or in times past they went over to Arrochar Pier and cruised back down Loch Long to Glasgow.
I know Lomond is the safe bet because everyone does it, which doesn't make it best.
I believe you can sail from Balloch to Tarbet changing boats and companies at Luss.
Sadly the Royal Mail boat from Balmaha is no more

I believe you can sail from Balloch to Tarbet changing boats and companies at Luss.

That sounds like a nice day out to me too. [I mean as an alternative thought to sailing on Loch Katrine]

Loch Katrine may be subjectively more attractive, but Loch Lomond is objectively BIGGER :) Balloch to Tarbert is quite a long way, and a stop off in Luss would be nice.

The Loch Katrine cruises are lovely.There's a short cruise or you can go all the way out to Stronachlachar as suggested.Nice cafe there though you'd have to break your journey as the boat doesn't stop long enough on the return trip.Or hire e-bikes and cycle the 14 miles back - it's hilly!

I love the Loch Lomond cruise from Tarbet - you see the most scenic part of the loch IMO - the northern end - which has real grandeur. Otherwise, on the road, you don't really get a sense of the high mountains which fringe the loch on its western side.Landing at Inversnaid for an hour or two is just perfect.A very pretty spot, just the hotel and some short walks which can be done from the jetty. There are also gorgeous waterfalls at the hotel.

With easy access from the central belt, these are the best boat tours for Highland scenery.