Events
You will find here listings by month of the events led by National Park Rangers or by National Park Centres. They are all free of charge.
We also include details of some community events, with links to their sites for further information. The Park Authority is not responsible for these and there may be charges for them.
February / March / April / May / June / July / August / September / October / November / December / January / February / March /
Friends of the Rest
When Monday 28 April to Sunday 11 May
Where National Park Gateway Centre, Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch
View some of the memorabilia gathered by the Friends of the Rest, a group set up after the first National Park Classic Car Run in 2007. Their aim is to re-instate the old Rest and Be Thankful hill climb road as a motor sport heritage site for clubs and classic car enthusiasts.
Time 10.30am to 4.30pm
Contact 0845 345 4978
Gaelic at the Gateway
When Saturday 3 to Monday 5 May
Where National Park Gateway Centre, Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch
What does Ciamara tha thu mean? If you don’t already know then come along and join in some Gaelic language songs, stories, cartoons and games. Gaelic course information also available.
Time 1 to 2 pm daily
Contact 0845 345 4978
Requirements Booking essential, suitable for children 8 years and over. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Bring appropriate weatherproof clothing, footwear and insect repellent.
Birds@Breakfast
When Sunday 4 May
Where Meet at National Park Centre, Balmaha
On International Dawn Chorus Day (more information at www.idcd.info), take an early morning walk around Inchcailloch, an island in Loch Lomond, and listen to the dawn chorus of resident and visiting birds. After the walk a light breakfast will be served.
Time 6am to 8am
Contact 01389 722100
Requirements Booking essential. Suitable for all the family. Please bring outdoor clothing and suitable footwear.
Loch Lomond Shores Farmer’s Market
When Sundays 4 and 18 May
Where Loch Lomond Shores, Ben Lomond Way, Balloch
A wide array of Scottish produce, including beef, lamb, pork, chicken, venison, seafood, smoked produce, home baking, soups, seasonal fruit and vegetables, hand-made confectionery, jams, chutneys and Scottish honey, oats and breakfast cereals, cheeses and oatcakes, hand made artisan soap, beverages and liqueurs.
Time 10am to 3pm
Contact Further information www.lochlomondshores.com
Lifejacket Clinic
When Sunday 4 May
Where Duncan Mills Memorial Slipway, Balloch
The RNLI Sea Safety Team and National Park Rangers invite you to bring your own lifejacket or buoyancy aid. Learn how to check it and look after it or try out one of a range that will be demonstrated before you buy from your chandler.
Time Drop in any time between 10 am to 4 pm
Contact For boat safety help or infomation on safety events National Park Ranger Service 01389 722030 or John Mason (RNLI) oldlussroad@blueyonder.co.uk tel 07780 955046
Spring Along the Way
When Monday 5 May
Where Meet at Aberfoyle Discovery Centre, Main Street, Aberfoyle
Join a countryside ranger for a guided walk along the West Highland Way from Inversnaid to Rowardennan. Discover some of the beautiful springtime wildlife and find out more about the cultural heritage of the area. Details on the West Highland Way long-distance route at www.west-highland-way.co.uk.
Time 9 to 4 pm
Contact 01389 722110
Requirements Booking essential, please bring outdoor clothing, suitable footwear, a packed lunch and drink.
Bluebell Wonder
When Sunday 11 May
Where Meet at the North Jetty, Inchcailloch .
Take a walk among the bluebells of Inchcailloch, part of Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve. Discover more about one of our most popular native plants, and spot some of our other early flowering woodland plants.
Time 2 to 4 pm
Contact 01389 722100
Requirements Booking essential, please bring outdoor clothing and suitable footwear. Ferry from MacFarlane’s Boatyard, Balmaha, price £4, journey time around five minutes. Call 01360 870214 to book the ferry.
Friends of the Rest
When Tuesday 13 to Sunday 25 May
Where National Park Centre, Luss
View some of the memorabilia gathered by the Friends of the Rest, a group set up after the first National Park Classic Car Run in 2007 Their aim is to re-instate the old Rest and Be Thankful hill climb road as a motor sport heritage site for clubs and classic car enthusiasts.
Time 10 am to 5 pm
Contact 01389 722120
Loch Lomond Quilt Show
When Wednesday 14 to Sunday 18 May
Where National Park Gateway Centre, Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch
An exhibition of hand-made quilts, fabulously designed, reflecting nature around us and showing what can be produced using this traditional craft. This year’s theme is Celtic Trees and will feature a stained glass quilt displayed inside the Gateway Centre. Quilts made from recycled materials will be displayed around the outdoor promontory area till Friday 23 May.
Time Drop in any time between 10 am and 5 pm
Contact 0845 345 4978 Further information at www.lochlomondquiltshow.com
Requirements Suitable for all the family. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Cystic Fibrosis Sponsored Cycle Ride
When Saturday 17 May
Where Callander to Balquhidder or Killin
Two routes for families or for the experienced cyclist. Further information on routes at www.cysticfibrosisglasgow.org.uk
Contact To register contact Andrew Murray tel 01698 886945 email murrayville@lineone.net
Loch Lomond Heritage Display
When Thursday 22 May to Sunday 1 June
Where National Park Gateway Centre, Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch
A wealth of material about the history of the area around Loch Lomond compiled by local heritage societies.
Time 10 am to 5 pm
Contact 0845 345 4978
New Night Club - Opening Near You
When Friday 23 May
Where Luss
PLEASE NOTE This event has been cancelled. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Discover the creatures that venture out once we go to sleep. Join the Countryside Rangers on a short evening walk around the village of Luss and discover the wonderful world of nocturnal animals using moth traps, bat detectors and night vision goggles.
Time Evening – details on booking.
Contact National Park Centre, Luss 01389 722120
Requirements Booking essential. Suitable for all the family. Bring appropriate weatherproof clothing and footwear (outdoor clothing guidance available on booking). Please wear midge repellent and bring a torch.
Flora Celtica
When Saturday 24 and Monday 26 May
Where National Park Gateway Centre, Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch
Scotland has many native plants and for centuries people have had a variety of uses for them. Discover how they have been used for food, crafts, survival, dyeing and textile-making and some of the folklore that surrounds them. Natural dyeing, wild foods, medicinal uses of plants, folklore crafts, wild food, spinning and trails. Grow you own mushroom logs.
Time Drop in any time between 10 am and 4 pm
Contact 0845 345 4978
Requirements Suitable for all the family. Please bring appropriate weatherproof clothing, suitable footwear and insect repellent.
Continental Market
When Thursday 29 May to 1 June
Where Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch
Contact For further information www.lochlomondshores.com
Loch Lomond Food and Drink Festival
When Saturday 31 May to Sunday 1 June
Where Loch Lomond Shores , Balloch
A celebration of great Scottish cooking and a showcase of excellent produce from the National Park and throughout Scotland. From the farmers to the chefs, the festival will whet your appetite by tasting and selling game and fresh fish, tasty soups and bread and succulent roast meat and vegetables. You can then wash all that down in the real ale and whisky tent! With a cookery demonstration marquee, try and buy with Scottish food producers, kids cookery lessons all joining forces you’ll be hard pushed to keep your tummy empty for long!
Contact Further information at www.lochlomondfoodanddrinkfestival.com/
