Once Christmas is over and Hogmanay is done, it’s a good idea to have something to look forward to. That’s why taking a break in January or February is a great idea – especially somewhere beautiful and in warm, comfortable accommodation. Winter in Loch Lomond is a fantastic time of year to visit if you are looking for a peaceful escape, scenic walks.

Planning a break at Loch Lomond Waterfront at the start of the year means you don’t have to wait long to relax with friends and family in a beautiful setting. There are plenty of things to do around here at this time of year too.

Things to do at Loch Lomond this winter

Whether you are coming on a family break to Loch Lomond or with friends, there are plenty of activities to keep you busy. 

One of the most exciting things you can do here is a ride on a seaplane. Operating all year round, Loch Lomond Sea Planes let you see Scotland from above. Winter can be the best time of year to do this, as the air is often clear and the colours vibrant. Choose from flights over the west coast and the Isle of Bute, as well as views of Jura, Islay and Gigha. 

For something more ground-based, Loch Lomond Shores offers year-round activities. From shopping, food and drink to outdoor activities, this will keep you busy all day. It’s a super place to bring the kids when on holiday at Loch Lomond. It has a playpark, mini-golf as well as a Sea Life Centre. If the weather isn’t quite what you’d hoped for, visit here and it won’t matter. 

Look out for winter wildlife

Winter in Loch Lomond is a great time to spot wildlife, with many species making the most of the colder months. If you’re hiking in the mountains, you might be lucky enough to see a Ptarmigan or Arctic Hare, both of which turn white in winter to blend in with the snow. Down in the lower areas, red deer are more likely to be seen as they find food and you may even catch a glimpse of a native red squirrel, though they’re a bit less active in winter. Loch Lomond is also a hot spot for bird watching. The area provides a home to nearly 200 species of bird, so don’t forget your binoculars.

If you are short on time and want to make the most of what you have in Loch Lomond to spot wildlife, then get in touch with a safari company like Kestrel Wildlife Safaris. They can take you to the best spots to give you the best chance of seeing the animal of your choice. Local knowledge is crucial in this situation, as animals can move depending on the time, weather and where the best food is.

Capture beautiful photographs

The days are short at this time of year, but the light is just stunning. For anyone keen on photography, this is the time to come for those sunset shots. The air can also be crisp and clear, giving you views for miles. If you are looking to see the area covered in snow, January and February in Loch Lomond are good times to visit.

Of course, we can’t guarantee the weather, but if you are lucky then the snow-capped hills and mountains are beautiful. Snow on Ben Lomond makes a great photograph. Walking up the mountain when snowy is something we would only recommend to experienced hikers at this time of year, but the view from the top can be breathtaking.

Go stargazing and spot the Northern Lights

While spotting the Northern Lights isn’t always guaranteed, Loch Lomond is a great place to try and see them, especially in the winter when the nights are longer and darker. To improve your chances, visit one of the park’s ‘dark sky’ areas, where there’s little light from towns or cities. These spots let you see more stars and if you’re lucky, you might catch the beautiful colours of the Northern Lights lighting up the sky over Loch Lomond.

It’s also a good time to keep an eye open for meteor showers. The Quadrantids occur towards the end of December and start of January and are known for producing bright fireball meteors. The look as though they originate from the plough/big dipper constellation, and are at their peak usually in the first few days of the year. Here’s a list of dates for all meteor showers to look out for in the UK.

Enjoy the long nights together

The nights may be long, but that only means more time together in the warmth! We have plenty of pubs, bars and restaurants near us at Loch Lomond Waterfront. Most of the local villages have at least one pub and you will be made welcome there. We’ve highlighted some of our favourite eateries and pubs here, but don’t be afraid to go and find some yourself.

Over the festive period, you could see a Christmas show in one of the nearby towns. If you find yourself here on the 25th of January, it’s Burns Night when we celebrate our most famous poet, Robert Burns. Most places will offer a Burns Supper, which is haggis, neeps and tatties, washed down with a wee dram. Some places might even pipe the haggis in with bagpipes! Have a look at nearby restaurants to see what is on offer and experience this Scottish celebration. 

But if you just want to spend some time together inside, then when in Scotland, do as the Scottish do and enjoy a nip or dram of whisky. During the day, you could visit Loch Lomond Distillery and get a fascinating tour of how they make one of Scotland’s most popular drinks. See how their award-winning single malt, single grain and limited-edition whiskies come to life, and perhaps even buy from their shop. That means that when night falls, you can sit together in one of our hot tubs and enjoy the flavour of Scotland whilst keeping a watchful eye for a meteor shower or the Northern Lights. What a pefect way to end the day.

Spend winter at Loch Lomond Waterfront

Does anyone else think that winter is the best time to enjoy hot tubs? It might be cold outside, but when you’re in a warm bath of bubbles with a glass of fizz, it’s just heaven. The warm steam, the starry skies and the excellent company. Winter in Loch Lomond with us at Loch Lomond Waterfront might just be the best holiday you’ll have all year. Check our availability and book your chalet or lodge today.

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What are the Northern Lights?

The Northern Lights or aurora borealis are a natural light display that occurs near the Earth’s poles. They result from particles charged by the sun colliding with Earth’s upper atmosphere along magnetic lines, creating a colourful show in the sky with shades of green, purple and red. These auroras include the aurora borealis (Northern Lights) and the aurora australis (Southern Lights).

Chasing the Northern Lights

The Northern Lights are unpredictable but there are ways to increase your chances of seeing them. Check the aurora forecast on websites like AuroraWatch UK and SpaceWeatherLive, which provide real-time updates on aurora activity. Once you have a good forecast, make sure to wrap up warmly. The Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park can be very cold, especially during the winter months when the Northern Lights are most active. Layer up with a warm coat, hat, gloves and boots to stay cosy while waiting for the lights. Afterwards, you can warm up with a whisky in your lodge.

Finding the perfect location

To see the Northern Lights you need to find a dark location away from light pollution. Luckily for you, many of the skies above Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park are known as dark skies. There’s a higher chance of seeing the Northern Lights during the winter months when the nights are longer and darker. Winter is also the best time to go stargazing in Scotland when the nights are darker for longer. Between October and March, when the clocks go back for winter, is a good rule of thumb.

How to photograph the Northern Lights

Nighttime photography can be challenging, but capturing the Northern Lights is possible even with a mobile phone. Hold your phone in landscape mode, turn off the flash and select night mode. Make the picture as large as your phone allows and set the exposure time between 2 and 15 seconds.

Seeing the Northern Lights in Loch Lomond is a magical experience and staying at Loch Lomond Waterfront makes it even better. Our luxury waterside accommodations offer the perfect retreat after a night of aurora-watching. With plenty of pubs, bars and restaurants nearby, you’ll have everything you need for a fantastic holiday. Winter is the best time to enjoy our hot tubs, even though it’s cold outside, a warm bath of bubbles with a glass of fizz is just heaven. Check our availability and book your chalet or lodge today.

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