Loch Lubnaig

Loch Lubnaig is a small freshwater loch near Callander in the Stirling council area of the Scottish Highlands. It lies between Ben Ledi and Ben Vorlich, fed by the River Balvaig from the north and drained by the Garbh Uisge to the south. Part of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, it occupies the former county of Perthshire. The loch’s name comes from the Gaelic Lùbnaig, meaning crooked, and its outline matches the Gaelic spelling closely. Canoes can be rented at the north end, while two car parks on the east shore provide launching points for small boats. The loch is unusual because its bottom is irregular, with hollows and ridges instead of a smooth slope. Nearly two-thirds of its area is under 15 metres deep, yet it has two main depressions where the water reaches 32 metres and 45 metres. A narrow sandy spit juts out from the western shore between two and two and a half kilometres from the southern end. The former Callander and Oban Railway line runs along the west shore, now part of Route 7 on the National Cycle Network for cyclists and walkers. Visitors find a quiet Highland loch set against rugged hills, ideal for fishing from the shore or gentle paddling. The nine-kilometre cycle and walking route between Callander and Strathyre follows the old railway line, offering views across the water. The loch’s uneven depths create sheltered bays and deeper channels, while the sandy spit provides a shallow crossing point near the southern end. Ben Ledi and Ben Vorlich frame the water, their slopes rising steeply from the shore. The contrast between shallow and deep water adds interest to the scene, making it a peaceful spot for outdoor activities.