Wallabies in Scotland: Loch Lomond's Wallaby Island
Yes, there really are wallabies in Scotland. A small population of red-necked wallabies lives on Inchconnachan, a wooded island in Loch Lomond known as "Wallaby Island". They're descended from animals brought to the island in the 1940s.
It isn't a wildlife attraction, though. The island is privately owned, there's no ferry, and sightings are never guaranteed. Here's the full story, and the best ways to enjoy Loch Lomond instead.
- Where: Inchconnachan, one of the islands in Loch Lomond, off Luss on the west shore.
- What: red-necked wallabies, an Australian species, introduced in the 1940s.
- Can you visit? There's no ferry, bridge or visitor facilities. It's a private island, so we don't recommend going looking for them.
- Instead: see the islands from Luss or Balmaha, or take a Loch Lomond cruise or waterbus.
- Official nameInchconnachanLoch Lomond, near Luss
- SpeciesRed-necked wallabyNative to eastern Australia and Tasmania
- Arrived1940sBrought by the Countess of Arran
- Island sizeAbout 42 hectaresAround 103 acres, mostly woodland
- AccessNo public ferryPrivate island, no facilities
- SightingsNot guaranteedNo reliable public count
How did wallabies get to Loch Lomond?
The wallabies on Inchconnachan are red-necked wallabies, a species from eastern and south-eastern Australia, including Tasmania. They were brought to the island in the 1940s by Fiona Bryde Gore, Countess of Arran (also known as Lady Colquhoun), and they've lived there, wild, ever since.
Inchconnachan covers about 42 hectares (around 103 acres) and is one of Loch Lomond's many wooded islands. Its sheltered woodland let the wallabies survive Scottish winters and build up a small, long-lasting population. Nobody publishes a reliable count, and estimates in the press vary a lot, so we don't give a number here.
The island's ownership and future have made the news from time to time, including talk of moving the wallabies. Treat older articles with care, as plans change. What stays the same is that the island is privately owned, its woodland is environmentally sensitive, and it has no visitor facilities.
Can you visit Wallaby Island?
Not easily, and we don't recommend it. There's no road, bridge or public ferry to Inchconnachan, so getting there means your own boat or kayak across the loch. And even if you get there, there's no path, visitor centre or guarantee of seeing a wallaby.
- Check access first. Scotland's access rights come with responsibilities, and they don't override privacy, safety signs or protected habitats. Check current local information rather than an old blog post.
- Expect no facilities. There's no café, toilet, marked trail or ranger. Paths may be faint and the undergrowth thick.
- Leave the wildlife alone. Keep your distance, don't feed, follow or touch a wallaby, and take all your litter home. Don't bring a dog.
- Don't make the trip just for a sighting. Wild animals move, hide and may not appear at all.
Loch Lomond water safety
Loch Lomond is cold, deep and exposed, and the weather can change quickly. A calm shore doesn't mean a safe crossing. The National Park advises paddlers to wear a buoyancy aid, check the full forecast (wind makes the return harder), tell someone your route and keep clear of boating channels. If you're not experienced, go with a qualified local guide. See the National Park's water safety advice.
Easier ways to enjoy Loch Lomond
The wallabies make a great story, but Loch Lomond is well worth a visit without them.
See the islands from Luss
Luss is a pretty conservation village on the west shore, near the island group that includes Inchconnachan. Walk the village and the pier, then check the seasonal waterbus and cruise timetables if you'd like to get out on the loch. Our Glencoe day trip from Glasgow starts the day in Luss.
Visit Balmaha and Craigie Fort
Balmaha, on the quieter east shore, has a short climb to the Craigie Fort viewpoint with views over the islands of Loch Lomond. Our Stirling Castle tour from Edinburgh and Stirling Castle tour from Glasgow both stop at Balmaha, with an optional walk to Craigie Fort.
Walk on Inchcailloch
Inchcailloch, a short boat ride from Balmaha, is a National Nature Reserve with marked walking trails and seasonal boat access. Check the National Park's Inchcailloch guide before you go.
Are there wallabies anywhere else in the UK?
Yes. The best known is the Isle of Man, where a wild population of red-necked wallabies lives in the north of the island. In Scotland, Inchconnachan is the famous one. There are also wallabies in zoos and wildlife parks across the UK.
If you'd like to see Scotland's native wildlife, our guides to red deer, otters and puffins have the best places to look.
Tours that visit Loch Lomond
These small-group tours stop on the shores of Loch Lomond as part of a bigger day out. None of them visits Inchconnachan or offers wallaby watching. Choose them for the loch, the scenery and the stories. Never more than 16 travellers.
Stirling Castle Tour from EdinburghThe Royal Palace, Loch Lomond, Glengoyne distillery and the Kelpies.From £92 pp50% depositView tour →
Stirling Castle Tour from GlasgowStirling Castle, Balmaha on Loch Lomond and Glengoyne Distillery.From £90 pp50% depositView tour →
Glencoe Day Trip from GlasgowLoch Lomond, the Three Sisters, a Glencoe Lochan walk and Rannoch Moor.From £88 pp50% depositView tour →See all our Loch Lomond tours, or our Loch Lomond and the Trossachs guide for more about the national park. If you'd like more time on the loch, ask us about a private tour.
Wallaby Island FAQs
Are there really wallabies in Scotland?
Yes. Red-necked wallabies were introduced to Inchconnachan in Loch Lomond in the 1940s, and wallabies are still reported on the island. There's no reliable public count, so treat any exact number with caution.
Where is Wallaby Island?
"Wallaby Island" is the nickname for Inchconnachan, one of the islands in Loch Lomond, in the group off Luss on the west side of the loch.
Is there a ferry to Wallaby Island?
No. There's no public ferry to Inchconnachan. Loch Lomond's waterbuses and cruises serve other places on the loch.
Will I see a wallaby on Loch Lomond?
Probably not, and nobody can promise it. They're wild animals living in thick woodland on a private island, not part of a wildlife park.
How did wallabies get to Scotland?
They were brought to Inchconnachan in the 1940s by Fiona Bryde Gore, Countess of Arran, and the population has survived there ever since.
Does Scotland's Wild visit Wallaby Island?
No. Our tours don't land on Inchconnachan or offer wallaby watching. Several of our day tours stop at Luss or Balmaha on the shores of Loch Lomond.
More Scottish wildlife
Last updated September 2026 by the Scotland's Wild team.
