Six ways this Loch Lomond village will give you a Luss for life!

Luss sits in the heart of the Loch Lomond area and it encapsulates all that is special about this much-loved part of Scotland. Picturesque, historic and with great views of Ben Lomond and ready access to the loch itself, this conservation village should be top of your list if you’re visiting Loch Lomond.

Luss - Conservation Village

Luss was built as a ‘model’ village for workers employed by local lairds the Colquhouns at their nearby slate quarry and sawmill, which accounts for the neat, regular appearance of the cottages. Once the main road up the west side of the loch passed right through the middle of Luss but today the village is bypassed by, but easily accessed from, the main A82 highway. Ten miles south of Tarbet, it’s just 32 miles from Glasgow and you can get there in under an hour by car from the city centre. 

Luss is also a great base from which to visit Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

Take the High Road

For many TV viewers of yesteryear, Luss will always be the village that featured in the long-running Scottish drama series, Take the High Road, later renamed simply High Road. This popular soap which is still repeated to this day, ran from 1980 until 2003 and over the decades built up something of a cult following. Exterior shots of the fictional village of Glendarroch were filmed in Luss. You could almost say Luss was a central character in the series!

Luss Pier

Only here for the pier? One of the big draws to Luss for many visitors is the presence of the village pier from where it’s possible to take a cruise around Loch Lomond and enjoy the magnificent Highland scenery. Whatever your interests, from wildlife to heritage, there’s a cruise for you. Take your pick from a number of companies offering cruises and waterbus services around Loch Lomond. 

Coffee & Cake

There are some lovely eateries in Luss. The Coach House Coffee Shop is a popular place, offering a fantastic selection of home baking and light meals, featuring eggs from their own free range flock of Black Rock Hens. The Lodge on Loch Lomond Hotel is a fabulous spot for afternoon tea. It sits right on the beachfront at Luss with magnificent views over Loch Lomond. The Loch Lomond Arms Hotel is another excellent choice. Tuck into delicious pub food featuring produce from Scotland’s natural larder. Dine in the bar, library, dining room and sheltered garden.

History and Heritage

Looking for a spot of history. The 19th-century Luss Parish Church, with its beautiful Victorian stained-glass windows, is worth a visit. Check out the 11th-century Viking grave stone in the church yard. It’s said to be typical of an Anglo-Scandinavian grave marker known as a hogback stone. The Luss Pilgrimage Centre, just next to the church, tells the story of St Kessog who, according to legend, came from Ireland and established a monastery on the island of Inchtavannach over 1,500 years ago.

Loch Lomond

Luss may have a lot of attractions for the visitor, but even the village’s biggest fan would have to admit that it wouldn’t be what it is today without its watery companion. The sheer physical beauty of the place is astonishing and it’s not surprising that Loch Lomond was voted one of the top natural wonders in Britain in a Radio Times readers’ poll. For generations of Scots, Loch Lomond has provided a first experience of the majesty of the Highlands. Perhaps this collective folk memory explains why the loch is so dear to many Scots, or perhaps we’re simply a nation of romantics that can’t help but get misty eyed when confronted with something so beautiful. Either way, if you’ve not already succumbed, you’ll find it impossible to resist the charms of this wonderful stretch of water.