Loch Lubnaig is a spectacular small loch in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park in the Scottish Highlands. Sure, Loch Lubnaig might not be as grand and well-known as Loch Lomond or Loch Katrine; but, perhaps, that’s exactly what makes it more quaint and unassuming. Loch Lubnaig sees far fewer visitors, so you’re guaranteed a tranquil visit to this stunning loch, still with plenty of activities and things to do.
In this guide, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about visiting the serene Loch Lubnaig.
Table of Contents
About Loch Lubnaig
Loch Lubnaig is a peaceful freshwater loch around 5km (3 miles) in length. From the north, the loch is fed by River Balvaig. To the south, the loch becomes a source of River Leny. You’ll find the A84 road runs parallel to the eastern side of the loch, which makes accessing the loch very simple and straightforward.
Located in the gorgeous Strathyre Forest, the loch is surrounded by an array of wildlife. In particular, the loch is home to extraordinary bird and mammal species. If you’re lucky during a visit to the loch, you might even see a golden eagle, osprey, sandpiper, red deer, red squirrel or a pine marten. Admittedly, you’ll want to visit during quieter times, around dusk or dawn, to see these special creatures. In terms of plant species, the native woodlands mostly feature pines, birches and heather.
Like many lochs in Scotland, there is local folklore regarding the loch. One legend tells of a mysterious water horse names ‘Each Uisge’ that roams the loch’s waters. The creature is said to lure people close to the water’s edge and then drag them in! Thankfully, during our visit, Beck and I didn’t encounter this scary mythical beast.
So, exactly where is Loch Lubnaig located?
Where Is Loch Lubnaig?
The loch is located between Strathyre and Callander in the Stirling council area of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park in Scotland.
To help get your bearings, please click on the image below to access an interactive map showing the location of the loch.
Now you know where the loch is located, let’s look at the best things to do during a visit.
Loch Lomond Cruise
Despite Loch Lubnaig being an immensely beautiful loch, you won’t have the option of taking a cruise. Certainly, a cruise on one of the lochs in the national park is a fantastic experience. Make sure to do a Loch Lomond Cruise during your visit to the area.
Plan Your Visit to Loch Lubnaig
There are plenty of awesome things to do at Loch Lubnaig. Let’s start by talking about The Cabin – one of the most popular places to visit at the loch.
The Cabin Loch Lubnaig
The Cabin at Loch Lubnaig is an excellent facility. At The Cabin, you’ll find a large car park, so lots of people access the loch from this point. At The Cabin, you’ll find a kiosk, serving food and drinks. There is also a large toilet block.
Surrounding The Cabin are many picnic benches. So, picnicking around The Cabin is a popular option. There’s also a large pebble beach area adjacent to the car park. This area is one of the best places to walk along the shores of the loch.
Because of the conveniently placed car park, lots of visitors will start their watersport adventures from The Cabin.
Watersports
Loch Lubnaig is a popular place for fun watersports. In particular, the loch is a great place for open water swimmers. Additionally, you’ll find people partaking in all of the usual relaxing water-based activities such as paddleboarding, kayaking and canoeing.
Loch Lubnaig Fishing
The loch is also a well-known place for fishing. In the loch, there are brown trout and Atlantic Salmon, amongst other coarse fish. Fishing permits are available at The Cabin.
Enjoy Mountain Views From Loch Lubnaig
Other than watersports, many people simply wander the quiet shores of the loch and soak in the glorious mountain views. Indeed, there are easily recognisable Munros and Corbetts to see from the shores of the loch. To the southwest of the loch, you’ve got Ben Ledi and Benvane. To the northeast, you’ve got Beinn Each and the majestic Ben Vorlich. You can find out more details about climbing these mountains in the section below.
Loch Lubnaig Walks
There are some short walking trails nestled in the forest surrounding the loch near The Cabin. But, if you want to discover more of the surrounding area, then you may want to do a walk nearby.
- Ben Ledi: starting near Loch Lubnaig, this Munro walk provides sublime views of the loch. This is especially true during the mid-sections of the walk.
- Beinn Each: starting from the loch itself, you can climb this Corbett, which sits east of the loch. Although, you won’t enjoy views of Loch Lubnaig during the walk as it remains hidden. Click here for more details about this walk.
- Benvane: this lesser-known challenging walk takes you to the summit of Benvane, which sits near Ben Ledi. Benvane shouldn’t be confused with Ben Vane located in the nearby Arrochar Alps. For more information about the Benvane Walk, click here.
- Ben Vorlich and Stuc a’ Chroin: just a stone’s throw away, starting in Loch Earn, you can bag these two Munros during an epic hike.
BLiSS Trail
The BLiSS trail, found in Breadlbane, is a roughly 50km cycling/driving culture trail. The trail features art installations and roadside sculptures. As an acronym, BLiSS stands for the towns which are connected by the walk – Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, Strathyre and St Fillans.
Near the south car park, you can find Sloc-Nan-Sithenach (AKA Faerie Hollow), which is a scenic viewpoint overlooking the loch. Sloc-Nan-Sithenach is often used as the starting point for the BLiSS trail, which then, follows alongside the eastern edge of Loch Lubnaig, before heading further north to the other trail’s attractions.
Cycling
Along the western edge of the loch, you’ll find an awesome cycling trail that forms part of the National Cycle Route 7 – Lochs and Glens Way. This cycle pathway running parallel to the western shore of the loch follows an abandoned railway line that used to connect Callander to Oban.
Other Epic Lochs in the National Park
As mentioned, when it comes to lochs in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, it’s not just about Loch Lomond itself. The national park has many beautiful lochs to visit and explore. To that end, we don’t intend on listing all of the lochs in the national park. Below, we’ll briefly detail the lochs that Beck and I visited and recommend visiting.
- Loch Ard: follow serene forest trails that lead you to this enchanting loch.
- Loch Katrine: one of the most popular and well-known lochs that’s certainly worth visiting.
- St Fillans on Loch Earn: this village is beautifully located on the eastern edge of Loch Earn. Visiting St Fillans and Loch Earn really go hand in hand.
- Loch Achray: featuring a brilliant campground, Loch Achray is a gorgeous loch and one that can be seen by climbing Ben A’an and Ben Venue.
- Loch Venachar: a lesser-known but equally impressive loch located in the Trossachs.
How to Get to Loch Lubnaig
The quickest and easiest way to get to Loch Lubnaig is to drive there yourself. If you don’t have your own set of wheels, we recommend hiring a car.
Car Hire
If you don’t have your own car, you should hire one using Discover Cars. Personally, we use Discover Cars and highly recommend them for finding your ideal car hire at an affordable price. Booking online is super easy and the free cancellation policy is great.
To find out more about renting a car with Discover Cars, read our Discover Cars review and Discover Cars Insurance review.
Loch Lubnaig Parking
There are two main car parks for accessing the loch. Both car parks are pay and display car parks. For an idea about pricing, check out the image below, taken in 2023. Of course, prices are subject to change.
The most well-known car park is the one at The Cabin, which is also known as the Loch Lubnaig North Car Park.
Loch Lubnaig North Car Park (The Cabin)
This car park is located here on the eastern edge of the loch. As mentioned, this is a popular place to park because of the facilities at The Cabin.
Loch Lubnaig South Car Park
This car park is located here at the southern end of the loch. This car park doesn’t get as busy as there are no facilities there.
Loch Lubnaig Cabins
When it comes to accommodation at Loch Lubnaig, your options are quite limited. There are two main lodging options on the loch, including the Loch Lubnaig Cabins and the Forest Holidays Strathyre Cabins. Both options come highly rated and provide stellar views of the loch.
Given the limited accommodation, these cabins can book out well in advance. In this case, you might be best served to look for lodging options in the nearby town of Callander or Strathyre. Otherwise, camping is also an option.
Loch Lubnaig Camping and Motorhomes
The Cabin at Loch Lubnaig does feature a campsite and motor home site. But, the campsite and motor home site can sometimes close for long periods due to maintenance or conservation. So, if you’re interested in camping at The Cabin, check the official website before you visit. Otherwise, just north of Loch Lubnaig, you’ve got the Immervoulin Caravan and Camping Park.
It’s possible to wild camp at Loch Lubnaig. But, please bear in mind, that between March and September, you’ll need a camping permit to stay in areas that fall under the Camping Management Zone.
FYI – wild camping at Loch Earn is another popular option.
What to Do Nearby
What next, after visiting Loch Lubnaig? Not far from Loch Lubnaig, you’ll find the equally impressive Loch Earn. Other than doing one of the Loch Lubnaig Walks mentioned earlier, you should also consider visiting Bracklinn Falls and Scout Pool near Callander.
Read more: Loch Lomond Walks – The 26 Best Walks in Loch Lomond
FAQs
Below, we’ll answer the most frequently asked questions about Loch Lubnaig.
How to Pronounce Loch Lubnaig?
The pronunciation of the lock sounds like lok-luhb-nayg.
How Long Is Loch Lubnaig?
It’s 5km (3 miles) long.
How Deep Is Loch Lubnaig?
The average depth is 6.2 metres (20.5 feet), whilst the maximum depth is 45 metres (146 feet).
Can You Swim in Loch Lubnaig?
Yes.
Can You Walk Around Loch Lubnaig?
No. Please read Loch Lubnaig Walks for details about walks in the area.
Do You Need a Permit to Camp at Loch Lubnaig?
Yes, at certain times of the year. Please read Loch Lubnaig Camping and Motorhomes for more information.
Is Loch Lubnaig Good For Fishing?
Yes. Please read Loch Lubnaig Fishing for more details.
Who Owns Loch Lubnaig?
The loch is partly owned by two parties – the Scottish Forestry and a private owner.
Bonus Tips
- Best time to visit: the best months for visiting Scotland are during summer or either side of this season (May to October). Specifically, the locals will tell you that the best weather is in May and June. Indeed, the middle of the year brings with it long hours of daylight as well as warmer and dryer weather. But, this is Scotland, so anything is possible!
- Toilet facilities: if you need to the use loo, you’ll want to choose to park at The Cabin, where you’ll find a large toilet block. This also makes for a handy place to get changed and dressed after swimming and doing water-based activities on the loch.
- Head to Callander: this nearby quaint town has plenty in the way of cafes, pubs and restaurants.
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