Sweeneys Cruises

Sweeneys Cruises is a long-established family boat operator at Balloch, running passenger trips on Loch Lomond from the southern end of the loch. The company traces its boating on the water back several generations and is one of the larger cruise operators at this end of Loch Lomond, working from a base by the riverside at Balloch and from the jetty at Loch Lomond Shores.

The mainstay is a fleet of covered passenger boats running scheduled cruises through the day. A one-hour circular trip takes in the wooded islands off Balloch and the southern shore, while a longer two-hour island discovery cruise reaches further up the loch. A seasonal waterbus links Balloch with Luss and Balmaha, letting walkers and day trippers hop between the villages by water, and there are evening sunset sailings through high summer.

Faster open-boat trips and private charters are also on offer, the latter used for weddings, parties and corporate days. Most sailings run to a published timetable that thickens through the season, though departures stay subject to demand and weather.

Balloch sits about thirty-five minutes from Glasgow by road or rail, with the train station a short walk from the boats, which makes a loch cruise an easy day out from the city. Riverside, Balloch, G83 8SW. Timetables, fares and bookings by phone on 01389 752376 or via the Sweeneys Cruises website.