Balloch is a town on Clydeside in central Scotland, on the southern shore of Loch Lomond. It expanded from 1850 when the railway arrived, bringing trippers from Glasgow to the pier, whence boats and charabancs conveyed them around the loch. Balloch is still easy to reach by public transport, but this part of the loch is lowland and urban, and few boats now sail so you need your own transport to reach the more attractive areas of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. Loch Lomond from Balloch The short River Leven drains the loch, flowing south from Balloch through Jamestown, Alexandria (the largest town), Bonhill and Renton. This Vale of Leven conurbation, population 20,000, is industrial and residential, with little to interest the visitor. The river flows into the Clyde estuary at Dumbarton.

Get in Edit

Balloch is nowadays bypassed to the west by A82, the main road from Glasgow to the Highlands, and to the south by A811 towards Stirling. Bikes may use A82 but it's always pounding with traffic, consider using the old road B857. By train Edit Two trains per hour run M-Sa from Glasgow Queen Street, taking 50 mins to Balloch via Dumbarton East & Central and Alexandria. These trains start from Airdrie and Coatbridge. On Sundays the trains run instead from Motherwell and Glasgow Central. is on the west bank of the river next to Balloch Road bridge, 100 yards from the ferry jetty. By bus Edit First Glasgow Buses 1 & 1A run from Glasgow Osborne Street (stop 2) via Clydebank, Old Kilpatrick, Dumbarton and Alexandria, taking 1 hour 45 mins to Balloch. They run every 15 mins M-Sa and every 30 mins on Sunday. Scottish Citylink coaches from Glasgow to the Highlands run along A82 a mile west of Balloch: the bus stop is by the roundabout junction with A811. It's seldom convenient to use them to get here from Glasgow, but they take you from Balloch direct to Inveraray, Oban, Campbeltown, Fort William and Skye without doubling back via Glasgow. One bus a day (for Campbeltown) runs via the airport (GLA IATA ) stand 9, northbound at 14:30 and southbound from Balloch at 12:00. Garelochead Bus 306 runs 3-5 times a day from Helensburgh via Arden on the west loch shore and the A82 / A811 roundabout near Balloch to Alexandria. It's usually simpler to take the 1 / 1A and change in Dumbarton.

Get around Edit

56°0′36″N 4°35′42″W Map of Balloch Walk: it's easy enough to walk between Balloch village, the Loch Lomond Shores shopping centre, and Balloch Castle & Park. By bus: Garelochhead Bus 207 runs hourly M-Sa from Bonhill to Alexandria, Balloch and the Loch Lomond Shores shopping centre. Their bus 305 runs daily every couple of hours from Alexandria to Balloch, Arden and Luss on the west loch shore. Their bus 309 runs daily every hour or two from Alexandria to Balloch, Drymen and Balmaha on the east loch shore. By bike: a cycle path runs from Balloch along bypassed loops of road and purpose-built track along the west bank of the loch via Arden, Luss and Inverbeg to Tarbet, 17 miles in all. It's level going and suitable also for hikers, wheelchairs and horses. By boat: Sweeney's Cruises sail May-Sept 2-3 times a day from Balloch to Luss, adult £14 single, £20 return. The schedule allows you a couple of hours ashore in Luss.

See Edit

Loch Lomond Shores and the paddle steamer Balloch Castle



Do Edit

Cruise the loch: Sweeney's Cruises operate a variety of boat trips year round, the shortest being the "Experience Cruise" (adult £12), a one-hour potter around the southern basin. They also operate the water buses, see "Get around". They sail from the village landing next to the railway station and Balloch Road bridge.

Sweeney's Cruises operate a variety of boat trips year round, the shortest being the "Experience Cruise" (adult £12), a one-hour potter around the southern basin. They also operate the water buses, see "Get around". They sail from the village landing next to the railway station and Balloch Road bridge. Water sports such as canoeing, kayaking and paddle-boarding: with your own kit you can start here. There are no public hire or instruction facilities in Balloch, see Loch Lomond for other options. There's a £20 fee to launch a motorboat from the Duncan Mills Memorial Slipway (foot of Pier Rd just beyond Loch Lomond Shores shopping centre) and you must register it - and any kind of powered craft eg jetski - in advance with the Park.

such as canoeing, kayaking and paddle-boarding: with your own kit you can start here. There are no public hire or instruction facilities in Balloch, see Loch Lomond for other options. There's a £20 fee to launch a motorboat from the Duncan Mills Memorial Slipway (foot of Pier Rd just beyond Loch Lomond Shores shopping centre) and you must register it - and any kind of powered craft eg jetski - in advance with the Park.



Loch Lomond Highland Games are held at Moss o Balloch Park, west bank of the river. They're usually on the second Saturday in July, however the next is on Sat 17 July 2021. Luss Highland Games are held on the first Saturday in July.

are held at Moss o Balloch Park, west bank of the river. They're usually on the second Saturday in July, however the next is on Sat 17 July 2021. Highland Games are held on the first Saturday in July. Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival: the main event is in September, with the next probably on 5-6 Sept 2020 but tbc. There's also a similar Springfest, which in 2020 is postponed into summer (tba) in Loch Lomond Shores shopping centre.

Buy Edit

Lomond Galleries



Eat Edit

Budget Edit



Within Loch Lomond Shores shopping centre are Café Zest, Queen of the Loch Hotel & Restaurant for pub food and Café at the Shores for cakes and sandwiches. Mid-range Edit Balloch House within Innkeeper's Lodge (see Sleep) is a gastropub open Tu-Sa 07:00-23:00, Su M 08:00-22:30

within Innkeeper's Lodge (see Sleep) is a gastropub open Tu-Sa 07:00-23:00, Su M 08:00-22:30







Splurge Edit

Drink Edit

Along Balloch / Drymen Rd are Tullie Inn and Balloch House (see Eat listings) and The Dog House, open Su-Th 11:00-00:00, F Sa 11:00-01:00.

Scotch whisky is distilled and blended all along the Vale of Leven but there are no distilleries open to visit.

Sleep Edit

The main accommodation strip is along the historic high street, Balloch Rd becoming Drymen Rd as it crosses the river. Plus there's a couple along the modern road A811 just south.









Connect Edit

Good mobile signal in & around town.

Go next Edit