blog | 03 May 24

Our favourite places to eat around Loch Lomond

We're always asked for recommendations for good places to eat in the area. Here's a wee list we have put together, not all local but all in Argyll and well worth a drive.
Inver

Where's good to eat on a day out in Argyll?

The Perch, Garelochead – this has to be one of the best places for breakfast and brunch in the area. Family run and dog friendly they serve up a delicious full Scottish breakfast, eggs benedict, pancake stacks and more with all products sourced locally.

 

 

Loch Lomond Arms Hotel – we love this hotel for its beautiful interiors and cosy fires. Lots of seasonal dishes and favourites such as fish and chips and haggis and with a fully stocked bar you might stay longer than you anticipated!

 

 

Lodge on the Loch – with possibly some of the best views from a restaurant at Loch Lomond, the beachside location is truly stunning. Serving lunchtime favourites as well as Chef Jonni’s specials, it’s a lovely place to sit and take in the view.  

 

 

The Oak Tree Inn, Balmaha – this popular little Inn is right in the heart of the village of Balmaha, perfectly situated for walkers just finished the walk up Conic Hill or as a pit stop when doing the West Highland Way. Burgers, homemade pizzas, fish and chips, veggie options, it’s got something for everyone.

 

 

The George Hotel – a bit further afield in the town of Inverary this is for many a great destination when exploring the west coast. Dating back to 1860, this family run hotel is full of character, with antique filled rooms, open fires and a pub with over 500 whiskies it gives you the full taste of Scotland. Lots of seafood on offer, venison from the surrounding hills, booking is advised.

 

 

Inver – a beautifully situated restaurant on the shores of Loch Fyne, overlooking Old Castle Lachlan, it’s a little jewel in the crown of the west coast. Award winning chef Pam has created award winning, innovative dishes that has won the restaurant international acclaim.

 

 

The Colintraive Hotel – another beautiful location hidden away on Argyll’s secret coast, the hotel’s outlook is the ferry port to the Isle of Bute. With a cosy bar, sea views and wood burning stove it serves locally caught seafood and beef from the Isle of Bute. A dog friendly, family run hotel it won the Scotsman scran award for ‘Best Gastro Pub’ 24. 

 

 

 

Cruises you might like

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Balmaha Explorer Cruise Loch Lomond

Explorer Cruises

Balmaha Explorer

45 MINS CROSSING

Sail from Luss to the picturesque village of Balmaha and explore this pretty village with woodland walks, Conic Hill and The Oak Tree Inn.

Adult

£0.00

Read more and book

Across the Loch

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CRUISES 2023 Boats have been painted, spruced up and are looking great for the start of the season. Our full schedule of cruises departing from Tarbet, Inversnaid, Rowardennan, Luss and Balmaha will start on Friday 31st March. We have 'Classic' 1hr and 90 min cruises departing from Luss, Tarbet and Balmaha and our popular 'Explorer' cruises which drop you at different locations around Loch Lomond, perfect to explore all the amazing walks we have on our doorstep. We look forward to welcoming you on board!

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☕️???????????????? Our Bonnie and Ben takeaway cafe has had a bit of a makeover! Soon to be selling bacon rolls, paninis and homemade soup in addition to our delicious coffees and hot drinks. Pop in and say hello! ????Tarbet Pier car park ⏰ Open daily from 8.30am.

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What a morning at Loch Lomond ????⛰????????

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What a glorious autumnal photo of our boat at Balmaha. Thank you to @myscottishlifestyle for sharing this pic with us!

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Our scheduled cruises run till the end of October, we’d love to welcome you on board!

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INCHCAILLOCH ISLAND - HAVE YOU BEEN? ???? This is one of our favourite ‘Explorer cruises’, a 45 minute sailing from the pretty village of Luss, sailing past the islands of Loch Lomond and arriving at Port Bawn on Inchcailloch. With a fantastic beach and picnic spot it’s a great place to relax and take in the beauty of the loch. There are pathways that lead you round the island, ideal for families with little ones. Keep an eye out for fallow deer, woodpeckers, otter and osprey, we have even seen white deer here! ⛴ Daily sailings from Luss at 10.00am, 11.30am and 1.45pm Return boat departs at 12.00pm, 1.45pm and 3.15pm. ???? Tickets: £18.00 adult return, Child: £10.00, family £54.00 ???? Dogs welcome but must be kept on a lead on Inchcailloch Island Go to: https://www.cruiselochlomond.co.uk/island-explorer ???? Stirling Experience

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With the weather still warm we’re off to a good start in September! Our full schedule of cruises will run from September through to end of October ( weather permitting). So come and explore Loch Lomond, whether you enjoy our classic stay on board cruises, or hop off with our explorer cruises at Inversnaid, Balmaha, Luss, Rowardennan or Inchcailloch Island. ????????‍♀️????????‍♀️???? Remember we’re dog and bike friendly too! ????

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Glorious views of Loch Lomond today ☀️☀️☀️

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DID YOU KNOW that all our skippers give a live commentary on our cruises? So as well as taking you to the most amazing locations around the loch, they’ll tell you the history of the area, the wildlife you might spot and there might even be the odd wee joke or two thrown in! Here’s Skipper Archie showing us how it’s done.

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We welcomed @scotlands_stories on board with us last week and here’s their story of their time on Inchcailloch Island…..‘ How can I get a picture with this view of Loch Lomond?’ I hear you ask! Well, while everybody else is on the bonny, bonny banks of Loch Lomond, you're going to need to get yourself to Inchcailloch, one of the 22 islands in the middle. Molly and I took the scenic journey by booking a trip with @cruiselochlomond which left from the wee village of Luss on the west bank. The trip took a wee tour around the loch with expert commentary on some of the other islands along the way. No wallabies to be seen, but the Ospreys were out and about! Inchcailloch has been on my bucketlist for a while and it didn't disappoint, especially on a day like this. It's not a huge island, but there's still stories to discover. Buried in the undergrowth, but easy to find, you'll come across a ruined church and a jumble of old gravestones. This is the church of St Kentigerna, the mother of St Fillan who allegedly established a little chapel on this site in the 8th century. Inchcailloch is said to be named after her, translating as the island of the old woman or cowled woman meaning a nun! Amazing to think this was once a parish church and locals would row across the loch every Sunday up until 1621, true dedication. If you can read through the moss then you'll find a lot of Macfarlanes and Macgregors buried here, including Rob Roy's uncle once the Macgregor Clan Chief. After a couple hours of wandering the forest tracks and climbing to the summit of this little hill for the panorama, we still had an hour before Cruise Loch Lomond came to get us. Plenty of time for a wee dip in the shallow bay at Port Brawn, much needed for both Molly and I to cool off. This was easily up there with one of the most enjoyable things I've done all year and hopefully it's convinced you to get out there the next time you're visiting Loch Lomond and explore! It can get busy so book ahead and you can look through a range of boat trips like this through the @stirlingalive website - www.yourstirling.com I reckon Molly would agree that this summer, happiness is a bookable experience!

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MAGICAL ISLANDS This was Inchcailloch Island yesterday, a wee taste of the Mediterranean on Loch Lomond! Departures from Luss daily: 10.00am 11.30am 1.15pm Adults £18.00 Child £10.00 Departures daily. We recommend booking online over the busy summer period. * Leave plenty of time to park your car and to make your way to the Luss Pier. ???? https://www.cruiselochlomond.co.uk/island-explorer

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We hosted an incredible wedding on board yesterday at @thecruin for Fraser and Julie! A beautiful day for a lovely couple! Here’s our crew member Helle walking down the pier to greet the boats.