Kayak Canoe and Paddleboard on Loch Eck Cowal.jpg

During a recent Cowal visit, I noted that Loch Eck would be ideal for launching our kayaks. On a warm and sunny May Sunday, when the roads around Loch Lomond were hectic, even early in the day, we headed across Rest and Be Thankful to Jubilee Point on Loch Eck.

Where is Jubilee Point, Loch Eck?

Jubilee Point is the largest of a series of small car parks off the A815 by Loch Eck. The road runs close to the loch, and you will find it very easy to find; just look out for the signs. Any of the other nearby points will also be okay for this purpose. There is free car parking, but no toilet facilities. If the car park is full there are other locations nearby for parking. The nearest toilets are at Benmore Botanic Garden in the direction of Dunoon and Glenbranter in the opposite direction.

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Camping at Loch Eck

When we arrived, around 9.30 am, several campers were waking up. It's free to camp here. There were a couple of motorhomes in the car park; again, it's okay to stop here, although you will need to pay (via a QR code on the information board) and only stop for one night.

Some fisherman who had arrived early were losing some of their early morning tranquillity as people like us were coming with their paddleboards, kayaks and canoes.

Places to Kayak on Cowal Loch Eck and Jubilee Point.jpg

Why Kayak at Loch Eck?

We've got inflatable kayaks, so it is always helpful to have a place to prepare them and then hopefully quick and easy access to the water. Loch Eck was ideal, and there was space in the car park to get them ready and then a simple walk down a bank to access the beach.

Jubilee Point was pretty busy; after all, a warm weekend day, but there wasn't a massive number of people all vying for the same space, which can sometimes happen in the National Park, with other sites that we could have chosen extremely busy.

On Loch Eck

Once on the water, we crossed the fairly broad loch to visit the beaches gleaming in the distance on the other side. We landed on a couple of the beaches, which we had to ourselves. They were beautiful, with the adjacent forest packed with blankets of bluebells.

We didn't need to do much kayaking; they had done their job, allowing us access to places that would be difficult to reach otherwise. In all, we paddled around 7km total. It was a bit challenging paddling into the wind on the way back to Jubilee Point, but a beautiful day on the water and beaches at Loch Eck.

Bluebells in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs

Read our photo guide to more locations to see bluebells in the National Park.

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More Kayak Adventures

You can read more about our kayak adventures on Loch Ard and Loch Chon. There will also be more guides coming out with similar recommendations for kayaking, stand up paddle boarding and canoeing in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs.

Wherever you get on the water, remember to take great care, read the paddle access code and remember that the water can be extremely cold, even in the summer months.