Nestled on the western shore of the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, Luss is famous for quaint slate cottages with decorative hanging flower baskets and breathtaking panoramic views of Loch Lomond against the backdrop of mighty Ben Lomond.
Often regarded as one of the prettiest Scottish villages, Luss also has a historic church and a beautiful small beach.
From history lovers to avid hikers and photographers to wildlife enthusiasts, this charming village has something to offer for everyone. It was featured in the popular 80’s TV series Take the High Road.
In the 6th century, over 1500 years ago, Saint Kessog brought Christianity to this area. Legend has it that when he was martyred, a sweet herb covered his grave. The word herb is called ‘lus’ in Gaelic. Hence giving the village its name.
Luss is one of the most popular day trip destinations from Glasgow. Also, it’s not very far from the Scottish Capital, Edinburgh, due to well-connected public transport services.
Best Things to Do in Luss, Loch Lomond on a Day
1. Be Captivated by the Charming Streets
Meander around the village streets to discover the row of quaint cottages lined perfectly with beautiful small gardens and floral displays. They look gorgeous in full bloom during the summer months.
Although there was a settlement here during medieval times, most of the current buildings were constructed in the 18th and 19th centuries. There used to be slate quarries and mills nearby, and the workers would live here in the cottages.
Read More: 25 of the Most Picturesque Villages in Scotland
You can follow the Luss Heritage Trail, an hour-long easy circular walk that will take you through the village, the river and the surrounding countryside.
Pick up the leaflet for this walk from the visitor centre. There are quite a few shops, restaurants and cafes in this conservation village. If you are hungry, pop into The Village Rest, a cosy bistro, for some delicious traditional Scottish dishes.
2. Enjoy Scenic Strolls at Luss Waterfront
As you walk along Pier Road admiring the lovely cute cottages, you will soon reach the beautiful Luss Pier. You can chill out at the wee sandy beach on the shore of Loch Lomond.
This pebbly beach is a popular spot for sunbathing and swimming in summer. You would see many day trippers as well as locals enjoying the stunning view of the loch and the towering Ben Lomond.
Further Reading: Best Activities to do in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park
Sightseeing ferries and cruises leave from here. Also, you would often notice people diving into the water from here.
Particularly in peak tourist season, you would find a pop-up ice cream truck with long queues. Nothing beats a cone of ice cream on a hot summer day.
3. Explore Loch Lomond on a Cruise
No visit to Luss is ever complete without a cruise on the scenic Loch Lomond, one of the must-visit places in Scotland.
On these relaxing boat tours, you will get a chance to see numerous tiny islands on the Loch Lomond closely. Also, you will pass stately homes, castles and small villages along the shoreline. Nonetheless, you will get a cracking view of Luss and the surrounding awe-inspiring landscapes.
There are different sorts of cruises available. You can take a water bus and sail from Balloch, Balmaha, Rowardennan and Tarbet to Luss.
Also, we would recommend a visit to the magical island of Inchcailloch. Most of these boats have live commentary on board.
4. Discover 1,500 Years of History at Luss Parish Church
Overlooking the vast stretch of Loch Lomond, Luss Parish Church is an important ancient religious and historical site. Only a few minutes’ walk from the loch-side pier, this church is one of the main tourist attractions of this village.
It was built in 1875 and is dedicated to St Kessog, an Irish missionary who preached Christianity in Scotland.
But it is believed that there was a church here since 510 AD. Christianity came around this part of Loch Lomond almost over 1500 years ago, and throughout the centuries, Luss has been an important pilgrimage site in Scotland.
Another interesting thing here is the small adjacent church graveyard. You will find an 11th-century Viking hogback grave marker and several other medieval graves.
5. Explore Inchcailloch Island
Leave behind the hustle and bustle of Luss and sail across the scenic Loch Lomond to reach the enchanting island of Inchcailloch.
There are three nature trails you can explore. You can easily combine all of them in a loop and walk the whole island in a couple of hours.
Plus, there are remnants of an early church and an ancient burial ground. It has graves of ancestors of the famous Rob Roy MacGregor.
The walk to the highest point of the island is our favourite. Marvel at the stunning view over the loch and the surrounding mountain ranges from there. It is one of the best in Scotland.
Cruise Loch Lomond runs the ferry service, and it takes about 45 minutes to get to Inchcailloch.
6. Spend a Day Hiking the Luss Hills
The Luss Hills are located just behind this village and are very popular with hillwalkers. There are several hills here. The highest among this hill range is Doune Hill. Other than that, there is Beinn Eich, Beinn Dubh and Mid Hill.
The scenic hike to Beinn Dubh above Glen Straddle makes a great day out in nature. Beinn Dubh is a Graham, a Scottish mountain between 2,000–2,500 feet.
This hike provides stunning panoramic views over Loch Lomond and its many tiny islands, Ben Lomond and the Arrochar Alps. The path mostly follows the grassy hills and climbs steadily. You can either return the same way you came or continue round the other side of Glen Striddle.
For a longer walk, you can hike to Doune Hill and Beinn Eich, which is much more strenuous and requires careful navigation.
7. Experience the Outdoor Adventures and Thrills
Luss is a hub for water sports and an array of adventure activities. There are many hiking, cycling and fishing opportunities in this area.
If you are brave enough, take a refreshing plunge in the water of Loch Lomond. Swimming is particularly popular in summer, although the water might be a bit chilly.
For some adrenaline-pumping thrills, you can water-ski and ride wakeboards, inflatable tubes, banana boats and speed boats. Also, the peaceful water of Loch Lomond is perfect for kayaking, canoeing and paddle-boarding. You can visit the small islands over the loch.
Thrill seekers can further drive a few hours to Fort William, known as the outdoor capital of the UK.
8. Walk Loch Lomond Faerie Trail
The Loch Lomond Faerie Trail is a mile-long woodland walking trail decorated with beautiful carvings and decorations. If you are travelling with young kids, this will be very enjoyable for them.
Well, Luss is so pretty you can’t blame if the fairies, trolls and other mythical creatures would fancy living here.
You can buy the tickets from the silver airstream trailer in the car park. It takes around two hours to complete this walk. Ticket per person costs £6.50 and £22 per family.
9. Visit the Historic Town of Inveraray
Afterwards, if you have some time, you can add the historic town of Inveraray to your itinerary. It takes only 45 minutes to drive there from Luss along Loch Lomond, passing through the Rest and Be Thankful mountain pass.
One of the main tourist attractions here is the fairytale-like Inveraray Castle, the ancestral home of the chief of Clan Campbell. Some episodes of the historical drama series Downton Abbey were filmed here.
Hike the nearby Dun Na Cuaiche viewpoint for stunning panoramic views over Loch Fyne and the surrounding areas.
Map of the Attractions
Here is a map of all the best attractions to visit and the best things to do in this picturesque village. Click on the link to save the Google map on your phone. You can also use the map offline. We have also marked the best places to eat here.
Best Time to Visit Luss
The summer months, June to August, are a great time to visit this village and the surrounding areas of Loch Lomond. The days are warm, and the weather is relatively dry this time of year.
Also, the longer daylight hours are perfect for outdoor adventures. The small potted gardens along the village streets come to life.
Luss gets super busy in the summer. So, if you want to avoid crowds, visit this scenic village in spring and autumn.
How to Reach Luss
By Car: The easiest and fastest way to get here is by car. This pretty lochside village sits close to the A82. This place is around 28 miles away from Glasgow and 78 miles from Edinburgh.
Parking: There are two car parks close to this village – Luss South and Old Toll House. Both of them are paid parking.
By Public Transport: You can use a direct bus, or a combination of bus and train, to reach this loch side village. This pretty village is served by buses operated by Citylink and the local Garelochhead Coaches. From Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station, a direct bus takes about 56 minutes to reach there.
Alternatively, you can hop on a ScotRail train service from Glasgow Queen Street to Balloch. From there, catch a local bus service 305, which takes only 14 minutes to reach Luss.
This village is a must-visit destination on any Loch Lomond trip, with tons of awesome things to do that everybody can enjoy. We highly recommend spending a day or two here. You surely would not be disappointed!
We hope this comprehensive guide to Luss has inspired you!
Love, Moumita.
