INVERBEG HOLIDAY PARK 5 STAR HOLIDAY PARK on the SHORES of LOCH LOMOND Wake Up
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Autumn Winter 2017 | No. 20 The The magazine of the Friends of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs VISTA & VIEW PROJECT UPDATE ALSO INSIDE Friends of OUR park, Park News, Nature of the Park, Treasure Islands of Loch Lomond and more THIS ISSUE: INVERBEG HOLIDAY PARK 5 STAR HOLIDAY PARK ON THE SHORES OF LOCH LOMOND Wake up ENJOY FRESH LOCAL PRODUCE to this Join us for seasonal menus with locally sourced ingredients, a fantastic wine list and hand-pulled craft ales. 01436 860420 lochlomondarmshotel.com Book your adventure now at inverbeg.com LOCH LOMOND ARMS HOTEL MAIN ROAD LUSS G83 8NY The finest Scottish seafood, served alongside a splendid SCOTTISH INSPIRED GIFTS AND HOMEWARE wine list created by expert Matthew Jukes. FROM LOCAL ARTISANS AND CRAFTSPEOPLE 01436 860420 luss-seafoodbar.com 01436 860820 lussgeneralstore.com LUSS SEAFOOD BAR PIER ROAD LUSS SCOTLAND G83 8NY LUSS GENERAL STORE PIER ROAD LUSS SCOTLAND G83 8NY Scottish Highland arts and crafts in the oldest cottage in Luss Activity Hub BIKES GORGE WALKING KAYAKS BOAT TICKETS SPEEDBOAT CANYONING Shore Cottage • Luss • G83 8NZ LUSS CARPARK LUSS LOCH LOMOND www.theclanshop.com 2 The Voice - Autumn-Winter 2017 Chairman’s Introduction WELCOME TO THIS AUTUMN EDITION OF VOICE, with interesting articles about different aspects of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park and news on recent activities of the Friends and others working to make the Park a better place for people and nature. As the only independent conservation cope at peak times. This was reflected in facilities. We are fortunate in having the and heritage charity covering the the number of complaints from visitors and largest ranger service in the UK which has National Park, we continue to strive to local businesses about the inadequate litter helped improve some aspects of visitor make a difference through campaigning, clearance arrangements in some of the management and people’s enjoyment of fundraising and volunteering activities, more popular villages such as Balmaha and what is a truly special place. working closely with partners such as the Luss and in lay-bys along the A82 beside As the National Park Authority strives Park Authority, local communities and Loch Lomond. We made representations to make a difference moving forward tourism groups. on this topic to the relevant authorities. it is important that efforts are made to Also in our detailed response to the After such a promising good spell protect its annual budget and priority draft Park Partnership Plan for the next of weather in April and May it is visitor management issues are adequately five years we stressed the importance disappointing that the summer was one resourced. Understandably, due to the of prioritising a ‘back to basics’ agenda of the wettest on record with an average scale of Scottish Government budget cuts, covering issues such as better and more of 16 inches of rainfall across the National there has been a trend for some time now effective litter management and toilet Park during the June-August period. of local public-sector bodies reducing their arrangements. Hopefully, as we move into autumn and investment in important services such as winter there will be some good spells of It is worth noting that the National Park litter management and toilet provision weather so that locals and visitors can celebrated its 15th birthday this year and and, sadly, the impact of this is beginning enjoy the splendours of the National Park. I well recall the excitement and sense of to show on the ground. Also, as the Park The adverse weather meant it was not anticipation in the build up to the launch Authority tries to stretch its budget further, ideal conditions for camping and overall of the National Park back in 2002. Many it is important strengthened arrangements the numbers of campers in the National individuals and bodies, including our are put in place to protect the quality late President Dr Hannah Stirling MBE, Park were well down this year while, in of visitor services provision when public campaigned long and hard for the creation contrast, the number of campervans on the visitor facilities are put out to franchise. move or staying overnight in the National of Scotland’s first National Park to protect I hope you will enjoy reading Voice and Park continued to grow rapidly. The new and better manage the special qualities of thank you for continuing to support the camping arrangements introduced as the most visited countryside destination in work of the Friends. If you are not already part of the National Park Authority’s Your Scotland with additional national funding. a member please do consider joining as Park initiative had a promising start in the While the National Park Authority has the more members we have the more we spring but were not fully tested due to its critics, there is no doubt the creation are able to do to make a difference in this the long periods of poor weather over the of the National Park has made a real very special part of Scotland. summer months. difference with over £100 million invested Despite the weather, the weak pound - over a 15year period by the public sector All the very best. which was at its lowest for 7 years - meant in furthering the Park’s four aims. This that large numbers of visitors still came has also been matched with a similar JAMES FRASER to the National Park this year and some amount invested by tourism businesses Chair - Friends of Loch Lomond of the visitor infrastructure struggled to in providing new and upgraded visitor and The Trossachs The Voice is the magazine of the Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs, the only independent conservation charity working to protect, promote and provide projects and services for this most precious part of Scotland – The Loch Lomond and The Articles published in The Voice do not necessarily Trossachs National Park. To join us or to find out more about our work please visit www. represent the views of The Friends of Loch Lomond and lochlomondtrossachs.org.uk or use the form inside. The Trossachs. Charity No. SC015389 The Voice is published biannually in spring and autumn. Submissions on topics relating to Loch The Voice is printed on 100% recycled paper Lomond and The Trossachs National Park are welcome. Please send submissions to the editor supporting the re-use of forest resources and at the address below or email [email protected] in accordance with FSC standards only using Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs; Carrochan; Carrochan Road; Balloch G83 8EG post-consumer recycled wood and fibre Telephone: 01389 727761 Email: [email protected] Designed and printed by www.lochlomondtrossachs.org.uk The Inglewood Press Ltd, Alloa, Scotland www.inglewood-press.co.uk email: [email protected] Cover photo - Autumnal photo of Benmore Botanic Gardens in Cowal. www.lochlomondtrossachs.org.uk 3 FRIENDS UPDATE • FRIENDS UPDATE • FRIENDS UPDATE • FRIENDS UPDATE • FRIENDS UPDATE • FRIENDS UPDATE • FRIENDS UPDATE • FRIENDS UPDATE • FRIENDS UPDATE • FRIENDS UPDATE • FRIENDS UPDATE • FRIEND New Friends Promotion at Loch Katrine Arrochar Community Hydro Scheme Support The Friends have contributed £1,000 towards the The Community Development Trusts need to construction of a Community Hydro Scheme near generate new income streams to support a range Arrochar as part of their wider efforts to support of local projects geared to improving village eco-tourism initiatives in the National Park. amenities and we are certain that this new hydro The 123kw hydro plant is to be located scheme will be a major benefit. We appreciate above the village at Loch Long, with the local the help of the many local businesses now community, as well as residents of nearby Luss involved in the Friends of OUR park project, and and Arden, given the opportunity to purchase a their customers, who have helped to make this Gordon Allan and James Fraser are pictured beside one of the new attractive posters at Loch Katrine stake in the scheme. The electricity generated donation a possibility.” from the run of river scheme will be sold on to Duncan MacLachlan, Director of Arrochar and With the support of the Steamship Sir Walter Scott Trust the the National Grid, and income generated will Tarbet Community Development Trust, added: Friends have installed three attractive promotional posters be given to Community Development Trusts for “We were delighted when the Friends agreed at busy visitor hubs on the shores of Loch Katrine. Two of the ongoing projects and future community benefit. to support this project, as it is vital that as posters promoting the work of the Friends are now installed on The Arrochar and Tarbet and Luss and Arden many residents and public bodies as possible the attractive pagoda beside Trossachs Pier and a third is on Community Development Trusts are working get behind the scheme. We are confident that the noticeboard at Stronachlachar. Membership leaflets are also alongside community energy specialists the hydro scheme will make a big difference to being distributed at shore outlets and on the steamship. Energy4All, Local Energy Scotland and groups like ours and we are keen to move to the A donation post has also been installed following the success landowners, Luss Estates, to develop this project. next stage with this exciting project.” of the ones located at Tom Weir’s Rest in Balmaha last year. The scheme was initiated by Luss Estates in Sir Malcolm Colquhoun of Luss, Chairman of Any funds raised will be used for heritage and access projects support of the local communities, with land being Luss Estates, said: “Community involvement at Loch Katrine.