Discover
Tarbet
With daily cruises setting sail from Tarbet and the Waterbus linking Inversnaid with Tarbet, it’s easy to book your ticket and enjoy a full day exploring this beautiful part of Loch Lomond.
A village between two lochs
The name Tarbet comes from the Gaelic word for an “isthmus” – a narrow strip of land between two lochs. Here, that strip of land separates Loch Lomond from Loch Long, linking Tarbet with neighbouring Arrochar.
It was across this very strip that Viking raiders once hauled their longboats. In 1263, the Norsemen famously dragged their ships from Arrochar over to Loch Lomond, before sailing south to raid settlements along the lochside. It’s hard to imagine as you look out across the peaceful waters today, but Tarbet has always been a place of movement and connection.
The Tarbet Hotel
Accessing Tarbet
Tarbet is easy to reach by road and is also served by the famous West Highland Train Line. Arrochar and Tarbet Railway Station is just a short walk from the pier, with regular train services connecting Glasgow and the Highlands on one of the world’s most scenic railway journeys.
A regular Citylink or Ember bus service also stops directly in the village, making Tarbet an ideal base for exploring Loch Lomond without a car.
By Boat
You can also access Tarbet with Cruise Loch Lomond by boat from Inversnaid, the opposite side of Loch Lomond. Catch the Tarbet Explorer and enjoy time ashore before your return trip to Inversnaid. Or catch the one way Waterbus on the Inversnaid to Tarbet Waterbus
Tarbet Pier sits at the heart of the village and is where many of our cruises depart from. From here, visitors can:
Take a 60min Tarbet Circular Cruise and enjoy some of Loch Lomond’s most spectacular scenery
Or use Tarbet as your base and cruise to Inversnaid and explore with our Inversnaid Explorer Cruise.
If you love walking you could take our West Highland Way Rambler Cruise from Tarbet to Rowardennan and walk 7.5 miles of the West Highland Way. (weekends only)
Or 'bag' your first Munro and take our boat from Tarbet to Rowardennan and climb Ben Lomond, Scotlands most southerly Munro - Ben Lomond Explorer Cruise (weekends only)
Go by bike
Explore by bike and on foot
Cyclists can join the West Loch Lomond Cycle Path, which follows the loch south towards Balloch, or head west towards Arrochar and Loch Long where forestry tracks and quieter roads offer excellent cycling routes.
Tarbet is also popular with walkers, with forest paths linking the village to Arrochar and access to nearby hills and mountain routes including the Arrochar Alps and the famous Cobbler mountain.
Bikes on board
Bonnie and Ben
Bonnie and Ben Takeaway Cafe
Before or after your cruise, stop by the Bonnie and Ben Café located in Tarbet car park. Ideal for hot drinks, snacks, ice cream and light refreshments, it’s a great place to relax and enjoy the atmosphere by the lochside.
The café is also home to free public toilets for visitors exploring the area or travelling onwards through the Highlands. Our friendly team have excellent local knowledge and are always happy to help with recommendations on walks, cruises, places to visit and the best ways to explore Loch Lomond and the surrounding area.
Worth considering
Inversnaid to Tarbet Waterbus
Tarbet Circular
Departing from Tarbet Pier, join us on a one hour boat trip discovering the northern end of fjord-like Loch Lomond and sail over the deepest part of the Loch in the shadow of Ben Lomond.
