Loch Earn
Loch Earn stretches nearly seven miles at the eastern edge of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. Surrounded by wooded slopes and open hillsides, it’s a pretty and interesting loch to explore, whether by car, boat or bike. In this guide, we’ll loop around Loch Earn, letting you know what to expect on your visit and telling you about some of the highlights.
Getting to Loch Earn
Loch Earn is easily reached by car from Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Stirling, with the A85 providing a direct and scenic route. St Fillans marks the eastern entry into Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, and the National Park gateway sign greets you as you arrive from Crieff.
Accommodation ranges from hotels and guesthouses to self-catering cottages and campsites. There are Cafés and restaurants in both Lochearnhead and St Fillans.
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Discovering Lochearnhead
Lochearnhead sits at the western tip of Loch Earn where Glen Ogle meets the loch. It’s a popular base for walkers, anglers, watersports enthusiasts and cyclists, and a gateway to the lochside villages along the A85. The village’s roots run deep, and archaeological evidence of prehistoric settlements is nearby. This has been a place where routes across the Highlands converge for centuries.
Today it’s a lively hub, particularly in summer, with access to the BLiSS Trail, Loch Earn Wakeschool and several picturesque walks and viewpoints. The nearby Glen Ogle Viaduct makes a memorable extension to your cycling or walking route.
St Fillans and the Eastern Shores
St Fillans is a quieter, more reflective place at the opposite end of the loch, but just as beautiful. With its grand Victorian villas, peaceful promenade and historic connection to its namesake, an 8th-century Irish monk, the village offers a wonderful blend of Highland scenery and gentle charm. There’s a welcoming feel, with a golf course, small beach, cafés, and lovely walks along the loch or up Dundurn Hill to the site of an ancient Pictish fort.
The village is also a great place to base yourself for exploring the BLiSS Trail artworks and enjoying the loch.
The BLiSS Trail: Art on the Roadside
One of the area's most unique features is the BLiSS Trail, a collection of outdoor sculptures linking the villages of Balquhidder, Strathyre, Lochearnhead, and St Fillans. It’s part sculpture trail, part treasure hunt, and full of surprises.
In Lochearnhead, look out for Stan the Stag and Blawn Wi The Wind in the gardens at Briar Cottages. Both are by renowned artist Kev Paxton and make excellent photo stops. Nearby, you’ll also find his cheeky Ewen – Westies of Craggan in the grounds of St Angus Church. Just outside the village, June McEwan’s Dragon Bike is an eye-catching willow creation perched by the road near Mansewood Country House.
St Fillans is home to one of the most famous sculptures on the trail—STILL, the mirrored man who stands waist-deep in the loch outside The Four Seasons Hotel. Removed in 2020 and recently returned thanks to a local campaign, he reflects the water and sky so perfectly that he sometimes seems to disappear. The village also features Fish Out Of Water, a playful and beautifully made installation by Callander artist Lynne Schroder, found in the gardens of Achray House Hotel.
Every sculpture on the trail adds a bit of storytelling, humour or reflection—and part of the joy is spotting them as you explore
Watersports and Adventure
The calm, open waters of Loch Earn make it a popular location for watersports. Lochearnhead is home to the Loch Earn Wake School, which offers wakeboarding, waterskiing, wakesurfing, paddleboarding, kayaking and more. You can also hire equipment for self-guided adventures or participate in scenic boat tours.
The Loch Earn Watersports Centre near St Fillans also provides rentals for paddleboarding and kayaking, and has a café and bar on-site for post-paddle refreshments.
Motorised craft are permitted on Loch Earn, but regulations ensure safety for all users. Life jackets are a must, and speed limits must be checked and launch areas adhered to.
A Note on Camping and Byelaws
Camping in the Loch Earn area is subject to the National Park’s seasonal byelaws, which apply from March to September. You can only camp in designated permit areas or on official campsites during this period. Wild camping without a permit is not allowed within these managed zones.
Permits are affordable and easy to book online, and sites like the South Loch Earn Caravan Park offer excellent facilities. If you’re wild camping elsewhere in the park, ensure you’re outside the managed zones and follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code—leave no trace, respect wildlife and keep fires to a minimum.
Fishing on Loch Earn
Loch Earn is one of Scotland’s best-known trout fishing lochs. You’ll find brown trout, rainbow trout and even Arctic char. The fishing season runs from mid-March to early October, and permits are required.
Permits are available from various outlets, including Drummond Estate Boat Hire in Lochearnhead, the Village Store in St Fillans, and the South Loch Earn Caravan Park. Prices are reasonable, and daily, weekly, and seasonal options are available. Boats can also be hired through the Drummond Estate, which provides 15-foot boats with outboard motors and life jackets.
Fishing is permitted from boats or the lochside, and the scenery alone is worth the outing.
Cycling the Loch Earn Loop
Cycling around Loch Earn is a rewarding experience. One of the best ways to do it is by starting at Strathyre and following National Cycle Network Route 7 north to Lochearnhead. You can take the quieter South Loch Earn Road to St Fillans, enjoying some of the loch’s best views.
A developing path on the old railway line now continues toward Comrie, and although parts of it are still rough, it’s a promising route for the future. The whole loop is just over 15 miles, with the option to cross the Glen Ogle Viaduct and continue to Killin for a longer ride.
Walks and Wildlife
The Loch Earn area is full of walks for all abilities. The lochside paths are scenic and gentle, while climbs like Dundurn Hill or the ascent of nearby Ben Vorlich offer more strenuous challenges with big views as your reward. Keep an eye out for red squirrels, deer and woodland birds—and in summer, you might spot ospreys fishing over the loch.
Local Events and Community Life
Lochearnhead and St Fillans host various local events throughout the year. These include the St Fillans Village Gala, fishing competitions, and the annual Loch Earn Boat Race. Lochearnhead is also known for its Highland Games, which attract crowds with traditional sports, music and festivities.
A Place to Slow Down
Loch Earn is a place where the pace of life feels gentler. Whether you’re walking the shore at sunrise, watching the light shift over STILL in the loch, or cycling a quiet backroad with the sound of birds and water around you, there’s a chance to reconnect with nature, with art, and with sense of calm.
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This guide and accompanying photographs are by Paul Saunders for See Loch Lomond. Visit Paul’s Marketing and Photography websites for details of his services in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs and beyond. If you found the guide useful please let us know in the comments section below.
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