Loch Tay Lake
Scenic Highland loch surrounded by hills and villages
Loch Tay's shores frame hillwalking routes and watersports near Kenmore village and Ben Lawers, with boat trips and trout and salmon angling available.
Loch Tay at a Glance#
Address: Loch Tay area, Perthshire, Scotland
Hours: Open year-round
Admission: Free
About Loch Tay#
Loch Tay is a freshwater loch in central Scotland’s Perthshire region, extending roughly east-west between the villages of Killin and Kenmore. The loch and its shores combine recreational use with archaeological interest.
Visitors use the loch for boating, fishing and watersports, and the shoreline contains visitor facilities, small settlements and walking routes. The Scottish Crannog Centre on the shore presents a reconstructed Iron Age dwelling and offers interpretation of ancient lake settlements.
The loch occupies a glacially carved basin with surrounding hills and agricultural land, and it has long been a focus for human settlement and prehistoric activity.
Geographically it lies in Perth and Kinross in central Scotland, with road links to regional towns and access from the small villages at each end.
- Activities: Boat trips and angling are common visitor activities, and the loch is used for watersports in summer months.
What to See#
- Scottish Crannog Centre: A small reconstructed lakeside Iron Age crannog and visitor centre that interprets prehistoric life and traditional lacustrine settlements on the loch.
- Kenmore and Killin: The village at the western end and the village at the eastern end both serve as gateways for boating, fishing and local services for visitors.
How to Get to Loch Tay#
By car: A827 connects to the A9 and A85; Kenmore on the western tip is a common starting point with parking and boat rentals. Public buses serve the area from Perth and neighboring towns-schedules are seasonal.
Tips for Visiting Loch Tay#
- The west shore near Kenmore provides prime viewpoints and facilities-start there for boat hire or guided tours.
- Visit in autumn for the colorful hills that reflect dramatically in the water.
- If fishing, purchase permits locally-Lloch Tay is managed with specific rules and seasons for trout and salmon.
Best Time to Visit Loch Tay#
Late spring through early autumn for best weather; autumn brings striking color.
Weather & Climate near Loch Tay#
Loch Tay's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 0°C to 17°C. Abundant rainfall (1512 mm/year), wettest in January.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 0° - 5° | -1° | 195 mm | overcast | 97% | 3.9 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.4h |
| February | Poor | 0° - 5° | -1° | 124 mm | overcast | 95% | 3.7 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.3h |
| March | Poor | 1° - 7° | 1° | 134 mm | overcast | 93% | 3.7 m/s | 0.3 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 2° - 10° | 3° | 74 mm | overcast | 89% | 3.4 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 14.0h |
| May | Acceptable | 5° - 13° | 7° | 86 mm | overcast | 87% | 3.2 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 16.2h |
| June | Acceptable | 8° - 15° | 11° | 79 mm | overcast | 87% | 3.1 m/s | 1.1 high | 17.3h |
| July | Good | 10° - 17° | 13° | 87 mm | overcast | 88% | 3.0 m/s | 1.0 high | 16.8h |
| August | Acceptable | 10° - 17° | 13° | 101 mm | overcast | 90% | 2.8 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 14.9h |
| September | Poor | 8° - 14° | 11° | 137 mm | overcast | 92% | 3.2 m/s | 0.5 low | 12.6h |
| October | Poor | 5° - 11° | 6° | 165 mm | overcast | 94% | 3.3 m/s | 0.2 low | 10.2h |
| November | Poor | 2° - 7° | 2° | 164 mm | overcast | 96% | 3.4 m/s | 0.0 low | 8.0h |
| December | Poor | 1° - 6° | 0° | 166 mm | overcast | 97% | 3.4 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.7h |
