THE home of the popular STV series High Road, Luss has had a transformation for 2026 with the official opening of the new Luss Distillery and Visitor Centre, which showcases both Ben Lomond gin (distilled on site) and Loch Lomond whisky.
While the modern design and multi-million-pound investment sound impressive, what’s it like to visit?
For a start, it’s an open and welcoming destination, you could almost meander across the distillery by accident while strolling through the bonny village of Luss.
The cutting-edge architecture combines nature and design: outer walls clad in locally-sourced Douglas Fir; repurposed ash and elm trees transformed into furniture and fittings; and a colour palette of slate greys inspired by the local quarry, chalky whites, and warm copper tones representing the stills; topped off with a motif that conjures up the summit of nearby “beacon hill” Ben Lomond.
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Surrounded by Highland Cattle in a neighbouring field, a playground, and Loch Lomond to the east, it’s free to visit the gift shop with its sample bar, learn about land and liquor in the Visitor Centre, and drop by the Scoff & Patter café for light bites and drinks.
Importantly, the tours are really affordable, with a starting price of £15. I tried the starter “Explorer” tour, a 30-minute tasting session savouring three 12-year-old whiskies. The Tour Guide kicks off with the signature Loch Lomond “Perfectly Balanced” whisky, followed by a fruitier Inchmurrin, and a smoky Inchmoan.
Drivers packs are available, so I bottled up my goodies before heading to the Distillery Bar for a £25, 60-minute, Ben Lomond Gin Adventure Tour. Drinks here include a signature gin with a host of garnishes and tonics. Three flavoured gins were then served, with flavours ranging from blood orange and pink grapefruit to blackberry and gooseberry, and the finale was a dinky rose and gin cocktail.
Guests are also introduced to “Florence” the machine, the onsite still that distils the gin with botanicals such as Szechuan pepper, rose petals, blackcurrants and rowan berries (lussdistillery.com).
While the distillery is a significant new attraction for Luss, there’s plenty more to see. After experiencing the water of life, enjoy the waters of Loch Lomond. Take the plunge with wild swimming, and book a Hot Tottie Sauna on the water’s edge. A swim is invigorating, but having the sauna to heat up in certainly takes the edge off! The sauna’s expansive window frames the scenery beautifully, making it a cosy and calming way to enjoy the loch. Prices start at £12 for 55 minutes sauna time (hot-tottie.com).
For those who prefer to stay dry, consider a circular 90-minute boat trip on board Cruise Loch Lomond for £19. With regular sailings from Luss Pier, the boat explores some of the loch’s 22 islands, as the skipper regales passengers with tales and history. Highlights en route include passing “Wallaby Island”, home to the only wild colony of wallabies outside Australia, the white deer of Inchcailloch island, and tales of Irish saints such as Saint Kessog on Inchtavannach, and Saint Kentigerna of Inchcailloch. Passengers also delight in the wee black Scottie dog who accompanies the captain onboard (cruiselochlomond.co.uk).
Back on dry land, admire the slate-topped houses that populate this photogenic village. Many Glasgow tenements have Luss to thank for their tiled roofs, so embark on the 30-minute Slate Quarry Path walk to see the old mills and quarry. Luss gift shops and coffee shops to browse include the Highland Art Studio, Luss Village Shop, the Coach House Coffee Shop, and the Village Rest serves excellent beetroot and chocolate cake.
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Recharge by booking a room with stunning loch views at the Lodge on Loch Lomond. Its Colquhoun’s restaurant is named after the prominent clan in the area, and dishes up traditional Scottish fare, such as braised beef blade, lamb shoulder and macaroni cheese. The hotel is also home to a spa and a beautiful beachside location. I strongly recommend an aperitif of Piaff champagne as the waves lap the shore (loch-lomond.co.uk).
Lastly, while Loch Lomond is stunning, choosing where to stay can be daunting. By selecting a scenic base like Luss, you can tap into locations such as Balloch, Helensburgh, Balmaha and Tarbet, but if the sun shines, leaving Luss will definitely be a challenge.
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