Loch Earn
A long, working loch between Lochearnhead and St Fillans
Verdict
Go if you want a quiet loch to sail, paddle or fish, with trails above it and a village at each end.
Skip if you want a single attraction with a ticket desk. Loch Earn is a loch to use, not a venue to tour.
- Length, west to east
- 6.5 miles
- Ben Vorlich, the Munro above the south shore
- 985 m
- By car from Glasgow to Lochearnhead
- 1.5 hours
- Camping byelaw permit season in management zones
- Mar–Sep
The short answer
Loch Earn is a freshwater loch 6.5 miles long, on the eastern side of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. Lochearnhead sits at the west end and St Fillans at the east tip, and the loch is the source of the River Earn. People come to sail, fish by permit, paddle and waterski, and to walk the trails above it. It is about 1.5 hours by car from Glasgow to Lochearnhead. For more ideas across the park, try activities and attractions.
What you get
Sailing and water sports
Loch Earn Sailing Club runs sailing courses. The National Park also lists paddleboarding and waterskiing, and Lochearnhead’s own listing adds wake-boarding and canoeing. We found no verified hire prices, so ask locally. Getting on the water compares places across the park.
Fishing
Fishing is by permit, from the shore or from a boat, and the loch is regularly stocked with brown and rainbow trout. The National Park page does not say where to buy a permit or what it costs, so sort that out locally before you cast.
Walks and trails
The National Park lists the St Fillans Viewpoint Circular and the Glen Ogle Trail from Lochearnhead. The BLiSS trail, with art installations, links Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, Strathyre and St Fillans. We found no published distance for a walk right round the loch.
Ben Vorlich
The Munro Ben Vorlich rises to 985 m above the southern shore. It is a serious day out, with its own guide at the end of this page. In autumn the red deer rut is heard on Ben Vorlich in September and October.
Edinample Castle
Edinample Castle was built in 1630 and stands 1 km south of Lochearnhead. Check access before you set out, as we did not verify visiting arrangements.
Wildlife
Ospreys fish in the loch in the summer months. The National Park also lists kingfisher, red kite, mountain hare and wild goat. Stay on paths and follow the visitor code of conduct.
The two villages
On to Lochearnhead for the village guide. The Clachan Hotel stands on the shore at Lochearnhead (FK19 8PU, 01567 830247), and lunch and dinner in Lochearnhead lists the rest. If you want to stay, where to stay compares areas around the park.
How long to allow
These are planning estimates built from the checked facts. They are not timed visits.
| Time you have | What fits | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| One hour | A look at the loch from Lochearnhead or St Fillans, and a stroll along the shore. | No ticketed entry is needed to look at the loch. |
| Half a day | A paddle, a sail or a fishing session, with lunch at either village. | Fishing needs a permit first. |
| A full day | Ben Vorlich in the morning, then the loch shore. | Check the walk guide for the time the hill takes. |
| A wet day | The villages and a stop at the Clachan Hotel, but we have no verified indoor attractions. | Check the hotel’s hours on the day. |
Costs and rules
- Fishing
- Permit needed for shore and boat fishing. Price and sellers not verified.
- Sailing
- Courses at Loch Earn Sailing Club. Prices not verified.
- Camping
- Byelaws apply from March to September. Permits are needed in Camping Management Zones, including for motorhomes.
- Lochside parking
- Not verified. Check the signs at each car park.
- Entry
- No entry fee is listed for the loch itself.
Getting there and parking
No lochside car park details are verified yet, so read the signs on arrival. Car park prices and rules covers the pay-and-display rules we have checked elsewhere in the park.
Lochearnhead and St Fillans
- Location
- A84, west end of the loch, at the foot of Glen Ogle
- By car
- About 1.5 hours from Glasgow, 1 hour 40 minutes from Edinburgh
- Lochside car parks
- Tariff and spaces not verified. Check the signs.
- Overnight
- Camping byelaws apply from March to September
Last checked 12 Oct 2026
Car-free
Bus C60 links Killin and Callander via Lochearnhead (Stirling Council), and the Ember E4 stops at Lochearnhead. Public transport from Glasgow takes about 2.5 hours and National Cycle Network Route 7 passes through. Check Traveline Scotland on the day.
Is it for me?
| If you are | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Sailors and paddlers | Good | The sailing club runs courses and the loch is listed for paddleboarding and waterskiing. |
| Anglers | Good | Stocked trout, from shore or boat, but you need a permit. |
| Walkers | Good | Trails at both ends and Ben Vorlich above, though no loch circuit is published. |
| Families | Mixed | Plenty to do outdoors, but we found no ticketed family attraction. |
| Visitors without a car | Mixed | The C60 and Ember E4 call at Lochearnhead, but journeys are long. |
| Wheelchairs and buggies | Check | We have no verified details on lochside paths. |
Questions people ask
Can you walk around Loch Earn?
We found no published walk right round the loch. The National Park lists the St Fillans Viewpoint Circular and the Glen Ogle Trail, and the BLiSS trail links the villages.
Are lochs freshwater or saltwater?
Most lochs are freshwater, including Loch Earn, which feeds the River Earn. Sea lochs such as Loch Long are salt water.
How long is Loch Earn?
Loch Earn is 6.5 miles long, running west to east.
Where is Loch Earn Head?
Lochearnhead is the village at the west end of the loch, on the A84 at the foot of Glen Ogle.
Can you fish on Loch Earn?
Yes, by permit, from the shore or from a boat. The loch is regularly stocked with brown and rainbow trout.
Can you camp at Loch Earn?
Wild camping and motorhome stays need a permit in Camping Management Zones from March to September. Outside those zones camping is allowed, subject to the byelaws.
Can you sail on Loch Earn?
Yes. Loch Earn Sailing Club runs sailing courses, and paddleboarding and waterskiing are also listed.