Lochearnhead
A watersports village at the head of Loch Earn
Verdict
Go if you want watersports, Ben Vorlich or a quiet loch away from the Loch Lomond crowds. Compare places to stay for beds around the park.
Skip if you need a train, a supermarket or a cash machine. Plan food and fuel before you arrive.
- Clachan Hotel. A lochside hotel on the shore of Loch Earn, at Lochside, FK19 8PU. Check what it offers on the day.
- By car from Glasgow
- 1.5 h
- By car from Edinburgh
- 1 h 40
- Length of Loch Earn
- 6.5 mi
- Height of Ben Vorlich, a Munro
- 985 m
Fine weekends and school holidays are the busy times, mainly on the water. Weekdays and early mornings are quieter.
Lochearnhead in photos
Is Lochearnhead worth it?
Lochearnhead is worth it if you want Loch Earn, a Munro and a quieter corner of the National Park. It sits on the A84 at the western end of Loch Earn, at the foot of Glen Ogle, about 1.5 hours by car from Glasgow. It is small: the village has a hotel on the loch and a Scout Station for groups, and for shops and a bigger choice of food the next stops are Killin and Callander.
Go if you want
Fishing, sailing, canoeing or water-skiing on Loch Earn, a day on Ben Vorlich, or an easy walk on the Glen Ogle trail. Cyclists have National Cycle Network Route 7 through the village.
Think twice if you want
A shop on the doorstep: the Scout Station’s own FAQ says there are no shops in the village, so check before you rely on one. For the climate, see best months to come.
Parking & getting there
Parking in Lochearnhead
- Where
- Check signs and the car parks around the village and the loch shore.
- Price
- Not stated in our sources. Check the machine or signs.
- Overnight
- Not confirmed. The Scout Station car park, with space for 50 vehicles, is for the station’s own groups.
Last checked 12 Oct 2026
Car-free
We found a Stirling Council C60 bus between Killin and Callander via Strathyre and Lochearnhead, and an Ember E4 coach on Edinburgh to Fort William via Stirling, Callander, Strathyre, Lochearnhead and Killin. The National Park puts public transport at about 2.5 hours from Glasgow. There is no passenger railway station, so check Traveline Scotland for times. For where to leave a car, see the loch-side parking guide. Getting there without a car covers the wider options.
When it is busy
Editorial estimate of a typical summer day, not measured counts. No fill times are published for Lochearnhead.
| Day | 9:00 | 10:00 | 11:00 | 12:00 | 13:00 | 14:00 | 15:00 | 16:00 | 17:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weekday | Quiet | Quiet | Steady | Steady | Steady | Steady | Steady | Quiet | Quiet |
| Saturday | Quiet | Steady | Steady | Steady | Busy | Busy | Steady | Steady | Quiet |
| Sunday | Quiet | Steady | Steady | Steady | Busy | Busy | Steady | Steady | Quiet |
Q QuietS SteadyB BusyF Car park full
Tip: go early on a fine summer weekend, when the water is busiest, or choose a weekday.
Things to do in Lochearnhead
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Loch Earn
The loch is a centre for fishing, sailing, water-skiing, wake-boarding and canoeing. Fishing is by permit from shore and boat, and the loch is stocked with brown and rainbow trout. Loch Earn Sailing Club runs sailing courses. See visiting Loch Earn for the loch itself.
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Ben Vorlich
A steep-sided Munro above the southern shore of the loch, with views north and west. See how to walk Ben Vorlich for the route.
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Glen Ogle trail
The National Park lists the Glen Ogle trail among Loch Earn’s walks. Check its route and distance before you set out.
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Balquhidder and the BLiSS trail
The BLiSS trail links Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, Strathyre and St Fillans. Balquhidder Old Kirk, at the east end of Loch Voil, has the grave of Rob Roy MacGregor and his family.
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Edinample Castle
A castle built by ‘Black’ Duncan Campbell of Glenorchy. It lies south of the village, so view it from the road unless you know it is open.
1 hour, 3 hours or a full day
1 hour
A quick stop (suggested timings)
- 0:00 Park and walk down to the loch shore.
- 0:20 Look at the jetties and the water.
- 0:50 Back to the car.
3 hours
Glen Ogle (suggested timings)
- 0:00 Start from the village and join the Glen Ogle trail.
- 1:30 Turn back when you choose.
- 3:00 Back for a drink at the hotel.
A full day
Hill or water
- 8:30 Start Ben Vorlich early, with a map, water and a waterproof.
- 14:00 Back at the loch for a paddle or a sail, if the club or a hire firm is open.
- 17:00 Meal in the village or at Killin.
Eat & drink
-
Clachan Hotel
A lochside hotel on the shore of Loch Earn, at FK19 8PU. Its site does not give hours on the page we read, so phone ahead. See Lochearnhead cafes and pubs for more.
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Shop and picnic
Listings differ on whether there is a village shop. The Scout Station’s FAQ says there are no shops, with Killin the nearest. Bring food for a hill day.
Where to stay near Lochearnhead
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Questions people ask
What's in Lochearnhead?
A lochside hotel, the Scout Station for groups, and Loch Earn for watersports and fishing. Ben Vorlich and the Glen Ogle trail start nearby, and Edinample Castle is 1 km south.
Is Loch Earn fresh water?
Yes. Loch Earn is a freshwater loch, and it is the source of the River Earn, which joins the River Tay.
Can I camp at the Lochearnhead Scout Station?
No. The station says it is not open for public camping, and bookings are for Scout and youth groups.
Does Lochearnhead have a shop?
Listings differ. The Scout Station’s FAQ says there are no shops in the village, with Killin 7.6 miles away and Callander 14 miles. Bring supplies.
How do I get to Lochearnhead without a car?
By bus: the Stirling Council C60 and the Ember E4 both call. The National Park puts public transport at about 2.5 hours from Glasgow. There is no passenger station.
Do I need a permit to camp near Loch Earn?
Camping byelaws apply from March to September, and permits are needed in designated zones. See camping rules around the loch.
Nearby places
- South on the A84StrathyreA village in the forest, on the same bus route.
- North-westKillinThe nearest bigger village, at the head of Loch Tay. See the Killin village guide.
- South-east on the A84CallanderThe bigger town for shops and food.
- RelatedPlacesEvery village and town around the park, compared.
- RelatedWalksWalks across the park.