Loch Lubnaig (East) - Drumardoch Estate

Loch Lubnaig presents bait, spin, fly and light boat anglers many options. The primary species to fish for are Perch and Brown Trout, however Char can often be caught averaging 6-9” and there are Salmon passing through from the River Leny to the River Balvaig throughout the season. The Perch get quite big and reportedly the Scottish record was held on Lubnaig for some time. The Trout are plentiful, indicating they may not get all that big in Loch Lubnaig on invertebrates alone. Some anglers report Trout of 15” and more sometimes, these Trout clearly have bigger prey on their mind like minnows, perch and other trout. This is an excellent fishery to teach the younger generation how to fish from the bank and the boat, and a fishery for those wishing to try out different methods for a range of species. There are no speedboats, jet skis or yachts on Loch Lubnaig.

Loch Lubnaig is West of Callander on the A84 towards Lochearnhead. The loch is nestled in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park and is remarkably beautiful. It is fed by a number of burns and the Balvaig River at the Northern end, it is drained solely by the Leny River at the Southern end. Within an hour’s drive of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth, and only 30 minutes from Stirling, Loch Lubnaig is a fabulous holiday destination for everyone that visits.

The fishing within the Drumardoch Estate permit covers most of the East shore of the loch which is ideal for excellent access, parking, camping sites, toilets, great food and more. The top end of the fishing begins just South of Ardchullarie House at the burn mouth marked on the map provided. The fishing extends all the way along this Eastern shore unbroken to the burn at the car park at the lower end of the loch near where the loch turns into the River Leny. For fishing downstream, South, of the burn mouth a different annual permit is required. Boats can launch from the locked slipway with a code provided by ‘The Cabin’ staff when you purchase a permit. The slipway is located in the bottom third of the loch, 250m North of ‘The Cabin’. Boats can fish anywhere on the loch but must only beach on the shore that the bank fishing is allowed on the supplied permit.

There are only a handful of fisheries that offer as much diversity to the angler that Loch Lubnaig does. There is fishing for everyone at every level of experience, whatever technique you prefer to use, and a variety of species in good sizes rarely found in one place that can be fished for via any legal method. Bring the equipment you are good at fishing with, or learn a new discipline, and enjoy your fishing. For a beginner, or someone showing a beginner how to fish, ‘The Cabin’ is an ideal place to meet, purchase a permit, learn to fish on the easy and safe shoreline, understand a little about angling etiquette, have a bite to eat or a hot chocolate, and know that regardless of the weather it will be beautiful. The visiting angler, all be it a tourist or a day tripper, will want to investigate the magnificent loch a little further, and there are options to explore the shoreline from any of the car parks with some nicely tucked away bays and drop offs. Again heading back to ‘The Cabin’ for a bite to eat is something worth looking forward to. Those who have a row boat and or small engine, up to 4hp, can purchase their permit, eat and launch all within 250m, and fish the entire loch from end to end. Boat anglers have a chance at a Salmon cruising up the channel of the river bed meandering under the loch’s surface. Kayakers and canoeists too can take advantage of accessing anywhere and gliding out onto the often mirror image mountainous reflection, however strong arms or a bit of a walk back will be needed if the wind picks up. Perch, Brown Trout, Char or Salmon, what will be the next tug on the line? Unfortunately all fishing activities must finish before 10pm, but this only rules out dusk in midsummer. From Ardchullarie House to the Boat Launch and ‘The Cabin’. The fishing permit does not allow fishing in front of Ardchullarie House, but the parking is easy here in a large layby below the main driveway of the house. Walk South along the road a little passed the bay as the loch comes right up to the road. Find a very small burn passing under the road. This is the start of the fishing where this burn meets the loch. This section can be difficult to navigate when the loch is high, however it is the least fished part of the Eastern shoreline due to the access, and may suit more experienced anglers who are prepared to cross larger rocks to get to bays with good drop offs. Some 600m down the road from the main layby is another layby, this time on the shore side. Park here and nip down the steep bank in to a frequently fished area for good reason. The shore can be walked all the way South to ‘The Cabin’ if the loch is not too high. Toilets, good food, takeaway, ice creams, camping sites and midge lotion are available here, as is more parking. The burn mouth at the boat launch site is always worth fishing around, especially after rain. ‘The Cabin’ to the Bottom Boundary. Whether you park at ‘The Cabin’ or the car park further South at the lower end of the loch, you can walk the shoreline from one to the other. There are plenty of beautiful bays nearer ‘The Cabin’. Fishing opportunities are on the wide gravel points and deep drop offs for those looking for a quiet spot. For beginners, simply walking 50-100m up or down the shore from ‘The Cabin’ finds you away from the public and standing on fine gravel ready for your first cast. Your offerings here will frequently get a bend in the rod. The section at the lower car park is fished regularly by casual anglers and is probably worth avoiding when there are so many other excellent places to fish. There is no fishing South of the burn mouth at the lower car park on the Lubnaig permit. This is the Upper Leny beat and is available to fish as a full-season syndicate rod via Drumardoch Estate.

‘The Cabin’ on Loch Lubnaig has a take-away with the best burgers, baking and coffee in the area. The meat is from the local hillside. There are plenty of sit in cafe, bakery and shops for meals and snacks around the Callander, Kilmahog, Strathyre and road to Balquhidder area too. There are car parks and laybys depending on where you would like to fish. Common sense prevails here and litter bins are provided. Please leave only footprints. The A84 is a busy and fast road. Please be extra careful, be especially aware of the logging trucks and superbikes when pulling out. There are a number of accommodation options at all price points in the area: National Park camping sites on the loch, at ‘The Cabin’, a self catering cottage at Drumardoch Estate, B&B’s and some hotels in Callander. Toilets are provided at ‘The Cabin’. BBQ sites are located at both car parks. No fires are to be lit in the National Park.