The name of the village comes from the Gaelic for an isthmus, a small strip of land separating two larger pieces. In this case, Tarbet divides Loch Long from Loch Lomond. Surrounding both are the stunning hills known as the Arrochar Alps, which are popular with cyclists, hill walkers and climbers alike.
The pier at Tarbet provides a popular boarding point to join any of the pleasure cruises which ply Loch Lomond, a service it has provided since Victorian times. The village is also served by a railway station on the West Highland railway line, linking Glasgow and Mallaig and is consistently voted one of the most scenic train journeys in the world.