Update on my previous review of Tarbet Pier car park
4
4
Date of visit: December 2025
I am a carer or friend of a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: accessing toilets, hearing and moving around.
I use or have experience of: changing places toilet, disabled toilet, hearing aid or cochlear implant, walking aid, wheelchair
Overall Rating
Good
Large level tarmac car park with good view of Loch Lomond. The accessible toilet is reasonable but could do with some improvements. A takeaway cafe is open almost every day of the year.
Disabled Access In and Around
Good
There is step free access to the toilet/takeaway. We had to open both doors to get the wheelchair in but they were fairly light. Since the car park has been updated there is a wide path in front of the cars which I think may also be a cycle track. However a big drawback is that there are no seats in this area. Any seating is down the hill on the grass and not accessible for those with rollators. A real opportunity missed in the refurbishment. There is an odd tarmac inshot area which I think may be designed as a wheelchair viewing platform. If so, as with others I've seen, while it's a good idea in theory, there is no seat for the wheelchair pusher and no sign to say what it is. (In other places I've seen people innocently putting their chairs or loungers there, not realising the purpose.) A new shelter has been built which has a lot of entrances, some step free but there are so many entrances there is hardly any seating. What there is is bench style against the wall.
Accessible facilities: Single-level venue, Step-free entrance
Parking & Transport
Good
I travelled to this place by personal vehicle
The car park is level and has a firm surface. It is one of the few car parks at Loch Lomond where those who cannot easily leave the car can get a good view of the loch. There are a number of Blue Badge spaces with cross hatching near the toilet and cafe. Blue Badge parking is free. Note that the car park closes at 9pm- quite early on a sunny Scottish summer evening.
Accessible facilities: Dedicated on-site parking
Accessible Toilets
Good
The toilet suited us but would not be useful for those who need a sideways transfer as there is a toddler toilet next to it. On the plus side there is a drop down rail and a horizontal rail attached to the wall. The red cord does not reach the floor. We visited in August (which is when I took the photos) and were back recently but the cord has still not been fixed. A notice says in Winter the toilets are open till 5.30 but there js nothing about the summer.
Facilities: Accessible toilet
Staff
Excellent
The only staff on site are those at the Bonnie and Ben takeaway. During our August visit they were coping cheerfully and efficiently with a large number of customers. At this time of year it was obviously much quieter but the staff were again very friendly and helpful. The takeaway is open every day except for Christmas and New Year's Day. In Winter it closes at approximately 3pm.
