Cruise and Water Bus Timetables
Ardlui Ferry
Timetables for cruises during 2024 in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs
Here are the updated cruise and water bus options during 2024 in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, including Loch Lomond and Loch Katrine. The article aims to show you all the possibilities for either circular cruising (cruising from and to the same location with no stopping points) or options for time to spend at a destination.
As always, we strongly suggest checking the cruise companies' websites or calling them in advance to confirm sailing times, availability, purchase tickets, etc. They will also answer any questions you have.
Circular Cruises
Here are the departure points for circular cruises (cruising from and to the same location) in Loch Lomond and Loch Katrine,
Balloch, Loch Lomond (Sweeney Cruise Co.)
Balmaha, Loch Lomond (Cruise Loch Lomond)
Luss, Loch Lomond (Cruise Loch Lomond & Sweeney Cruise Co.)
Trossachs Pier, Loch Katrine (Loch Katrine)
Tarbet, Loch Lomond (Cruise Loch Lomond)
Water Bus Services
There are numerous ferry services with regularly scheduled sailings or on-demand/bookable. The places connected are as follows:
Arden and Inchmurrin Island (Loch Lomond)
Ardlui and Ardleish (Loch Lomond)
Balloch and Luss (Loch Lomond)
Luss and Balmaha (Loch Lomond)
Luss and Inchcailloch Island (Loch Lomond)
Port of Menteith and Inchmahome Island* (Lake of Menteith)
Tarbet and Inversnaid (Loch Lomond)
Tarbet and Luss (Loch Lomond)
Tarbet and Rowardennan (Loch Lomond)
Trossachs Pier and Stronachlachar Pier (Loch Katrine)
Note: * Inchmahome Island on Lake of Menteith in the Trossachs is closed to visitors for repairs, so this service isn't currently operating.
Cruise Loch Lomond at Inchcailloch Island
Loch Katrine Cruises and Water Bus Services
The Lady of the Lake and Rob Roy III carry passengers with scheduled services on Loch Katrine, and the 124-year-old Steamship Sir Walter Scott returned last summer after receiving an extensive restoration. In addition, Osprey is bookable for small charters.
Departing from Stronachlachar
Stronachlachar Pier to Trossachs Pier Water Bus - one-hour sailing departing at 11.30 am & 3.30 pm on Steamship Sir Walter Scott - operator Loch Katrine (operates 23/3/24-27/10/24)
Departing from Trossachs Pier
45-minute Circular Cruise - departs daily at 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 1.15 pm, 2.15 pm, 3.15 pm & 4.15 pm, sailing on Lady of the Lake or Rob Roy III (operates 23/3/24-27/10/24).
A one-hour Circular cruise - departs daily at 1 p.m. on Steamship Sir Walter Scott (operates 23/3/24-27/10/24).
2-hour Return cruise - stopping at Stronachlachar (with options of return, one-way, or later return journeys) departing at 10.30 am (Stronachlachar arrival 11.20 am) and 2.30 pm (Stronachlachar arrival 3.20 pm)
Autumn/Winter 1-Hour Cruises - sailing on Lady of the Lake or Rob Roy III with departures at 10.15 am, 11.30 am, 12.45 pm, 2 pm and 3.15 pm (operates 28/10/24-28/3/25)
All cruises from Trossachs Pier and operated by Loch Katrine
Loch Lomond Cruises and Water Bus Services
Cruise Loch Lomond and Sweeney's Cruise Co., two excellent and long-standing boat operators, provide most of the cruise and water bus services on Loch Lomond. In addition, there are a few further ferry/water bus options:
Departing from Arden
Inchmurrin Ferry (Advance Bookings Required) by Inchmurrin Island
Departing from Ardleish
Ardlui Ferry - from the West Highland Way path at Ardleish to Ardlui Marina by Ardlui Hotel. Raise the ball to summon the ferry for the next scheduled sailing.
Departing from Ardlui
Ardlui Ferry from Ardlui Marina to West Highland Way at Arleish by Ardlui Hotel.
Departing from Balloch (Sweeney's Cruise co. Yard)
1-hour Experience Cruise departing April to September at 10.15 am, 11.30 am, 1 pm, 2.15 pm, 3.30 pm & 4.30 pm. Departing during October at 10.15 am, 11.30 am, 1.30 pm & 3.00 pm. Departing November to March at 11.30 am and 1.30 pm.
2-hour Island Discovery Cruise This cruise sails around some of Loch Lomond’s islands and departs from May to September at 12.30 pm and 3 pm and on weekends only at 12.30 pm and 3 pm in April and October.
75-minute Evening Cruise departing Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights at 7 pm during July and August.
Balloch to Luss Water Bus departs Balloch at 8.50 am, 12.30 pm and 3 pm from May to September (return times from Luss to Balloch are 1.30 pm and 4 pm).
Departing from Balloch (Loch Lomond SHORES)
A Short Loch Lomond highlights cruise departs from Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch, from April to September at 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm, and 4 pm.
Operator for all Balloch departures - Sweeney's Cruise Co
Departing from Balmaha Boatyard
Inchcailloch Island Ferry by Balmaha Boatyard - every 30 mins from 9.30 am-5 pm, more frequent at peak times
Departing from Balmaha (Old Pier)
Balmaha to Luss Waterbus by Sweeney's Cruise Co departing May to September at 12.25 pm & 3.55 pm.
Departing from Balmaha (New Pontoon)
Balmaha to Luss Waterbus by Cruise Loch Lomond departs Balmaha at 10.45 am, 12.15 pm, 2.00 pm and 3.30 pm - crossing 45 minutes (Operates 22/3/24-3/11/24)
Balmaha Circular Cruise by Cruise Loch Lomond departs at 10.45 am, 12.15 pm and 2 pm. 90-minute circular cruise (Operates 22/3/24-3/11/24).
Departing from Inchcailloch Island (North Pier)
Inchcailloch Island Ferry by Balmaha Boatyard - every 30 mins from 9.30 am-5 pm, more frequent at peak times, with return time agreed before sailing to the island.
Departing from Inchcailloch (Port Bawn)
Balmaha & Luss Waterbus by Cruise Loch Lomond departs at 10.35 am, 12.05 pm, 1.50 pm and 3.20 pm. Crossing 10 minutes to Balmaha and 55 minutes to Luss (Operates 22/3/24-3/11/24)
Departing from Inchmurrin
Inchmurrin Ferry (bookings required) by Inchmurrin Island
Departing from Inversnaid
Inversnaid-Tarbet Waterbus - departs at 11 am, 12.15 pm & 2.15 pm. 30 minute crossing (Operates 22/3/24-3/11/24)
Operator for all Inversnaid departures - Cruise Loch Lomond (31st March to 29th October 2023)
Departing from Luss
Luss Circular 90-Minute Cruise by Cruise Loch Lomond departs at 10 am, 11.30 am, 1.15 pm & 2.45 pm (Operates 22/3/24-3/11/24)
Island Explorer (Inchcailloch Island Water Bus) by Cruise Loch Lomond departs at 10 am, 11.30 am & 1.15 pm. Crossing 35 minutes. (Operates 22/3/24-3/11/24)
Balmaha Explorer (Waterbus) by Cruise Loch Lomond departs Luss at 10 am, 11.30 am, and 1.15 pm. Crossing 45 minutes. (Operates 22/3/24-3/11/24)
Rowardennan Water Bus by Cruise Loch Lomond departs Luss at 4.15 pm, arriving at Rowardennan at 4.45 pm (Operates Fri, Sat and Sun May-September)
Balloch Water Bus by Sweeney's Cruise Co departs Luss at 1.30 pm & 4 pm from May to September (the crossing is 1 hour)
Balmaha Water Bus by Sweeney's Cruise Co departs Luss at 1.50 pm & 3.20 pm.
1-hour Osprey Cruise by Sweeney's Cruise Co Departing during May and September from Luss at 9.50 am, 11.10 am, 12.40 pm, 1 pm and 2.30 pm. Departing during June, July and August from Luss at 9.50 am, 11 am, 12.40 pm, 1.50 pm and 3 pm.
Departing from Rowardennan
Luss Waterbus by Cruise Loch Lomond departs at 9.35am, 30-min crossing. (Operates weekends May-September)
Tarbet Waterbus by Cruise Loch Lomond departs at 4.45 pm. 45-min crossing. (Operates weekends May-September)
Departing from Tarbet
Tarbet Circular 60-minute circular cruise - departs at 10.30 am, 11.45 am, 1.45 pm and 3 pm. (Operates 22/3/24-3/11/24)
Inversnaid Explorer (cruise and water bus) departs daily at 10.30 am, 11.45 am and 1.45 pm. (Operates 22/3/24-3/11/24)
Tarbet-Rowardennan/Luss Waterbus departs at 08.45 am, calling at Rowardennan at 09.30 am and then Luss at 10.00 am. (Operates weekends May-September)
Operator for all Tarbet departures - Cruise Loch Lomond
I hope that was helpful to you. I want to thank the boat operators for their support in collating this information. Do use their services, I am sure you won't be disappointed. These are some of the best ways to see Loch Lomond.
Book a trip to Loch Lomond & the Trossachs or beyond
Thanks for reading
Words and photography by Paul Saunders. Visit Paul’s Marketing and Photography websites for details of his services in Scotland.
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