Partners Key public sector partners Key non-public sector partners The National Park is covered by Police Scotland deliver an effective Scottish Natural Heritage’s work is Community four local authorities: Argyll & Bute, service to the communities of Scotland, about caring for the natural heritage, National Park Community Partnership, Perth & Kinross, Stirling and West ensuring that they live their lives free enabling people to enjoy it, helping Community Councils, Community Dunbartonshire Councils. Each from crime, disorder and danger. people to understand and appreciate it, Development Trusts provides a range of services to and supporting those who manage it. their residents including education, Scottish Enterprise’s job is identifying Representative bodies & third sector environmental services, housing, leisure and exploiting the opportunities sportscotland is the lead agency for Environment Link and specifically land- facilities etc. for economic growth by supporting the development of sport in Scotland, owning NGOs in the Park. Scottish companies to compete, helping investing expertise, time and public The mission of Forestry Commission to build globally competitive sectors, money in developing a world-class • RSPB Scotland is to protect and expand attracting new investment and creating a sporting system at all levels. • National Trust for Scotland Scotland’s forests and woodlands and world-class business environment. • Woodland Trust Scotland increase their value to society and the Transport Scotland is the national Scottish Environment Protection transport agency for Scotland and environment. Scottish Land and Estates, National Agency is Scotland’s environmental is responsible for rail and trunk road Farmers Union of Scotland, Friends of Historic Scotland is an executive regulator. Its main role is to protect networks and major public transport agency of the Scottish Government and improve the environment. SEPA projects. Loch Lomond and The Trossachs, Loch and is charged with safeguarding is a non-departmental public body, Lomond & The Trossachs Countryside the nation’s historic environment accountable through Scottish Ministers VisitScotland works closely with private Trust and promoting its understanding to the Scottish Parliament. businesses, public agencies and local Private Sector and enjoyment on behalf of Scottish authorities, to ensure that visitors National Park Destination Development Ministers. experience the very best of Scotland and that the country makes the most Group, Land Managers, Local of its outstanding tourism assets. Destination and Trade Groups, Businesses. 2 NATIONAL PARK PARTNERSHIP PLAN 2012–2017 | ANNUAL REVIEW 2012–2013 Contents Foreword ................................................................................................................4 Introduction ...........................................................................................................6 Spotlight on our key achievements ......................................................................7 Conservation ............................................................................................................................ 8 Visitor Experience ................................................................................................................... 11 • Tourism ................................................................................................................................. 12 • Visitor Management .......................................................................................................... 15 Rural Development ................................................................................................................. 18 A partnership that delivers ....................................................................................21 Priorites for action - Progress update ..................................................................22 Conservation ............................................................................................................................ 23 Visitor Experience ................................................................................................................... 29 Rural Development ................................................................................................................. 36 Indicators of success .............................................................................................40 3 NATIONAL PARK PARTNERSHIP PLAN 2012–2017 | ANNUAL REVIEW 2012–2013 Foreword Loch Lomond & The Trossachs key areas across the Park. Our Natural sustainable access to the outdoors for invest in public assets across partners to National Park Partnership Plan was Heritage Grant Scheme has been future generations. The National Park achieve greater benefits for sustainable developed to lead and coordinate central in aiding land managers to Local Plan has delivered considerable economic growth and the conservation deliver conservation projects that were success in attracting investment in of a special landscape. the management and enhancement integral to the first Biodiversity Action tourism development, hydro energy of this very special part of Scotland. Plan. and community regeneration initiatives. It is the delivery of such tangible It was approved by Scottish Ministers Most notably, consent was granted improvements to the National Park and A central aspiration of the Partnership its communities that continues to drive in 2012 and sets out our vision for the this year for the development of a five Plan is to raise the standard of visitor us. Now, when Scotland needs even Park over the next 25 years, outlining star hotel and resort at the site of the facilities and sites, helping to deliver a former torpedo range in Arrochar which greater contribution from its national the projects that need to be delivered visitor experience that compares to is estimated to create 300 new jobs. agencies, we are well-positioned in the 2012 - 2017 period to help us the best in world. During the year, 15 This multi-million pound development to demonstrate how our approach achieve this vision. new permanent stone threshold signs demonstrates how an effective and at Loch Lomond & The Trossachs were introduced, providing visitors with proactive planning approach can National Park Authority through It is structured around our three a strong sense of ‘arrival’. Building on generate inward investment on a increased collaboration with partners focus areas of Conservation, Visitor the success of our work in East Loch national scale through sensitive and high is delivering significant benefits to Experience and Rural Development and Lomond, a visitor infrastructure strategy quality developments. conservation, visitor experience and highlights where partnership approach has been developed for five of our rural development across the National is crucial for the success of the National Trossachs lochs, with the first phase We continue to work closely with Park and beyond. Park. of the project near completion at two our communities and through the heavily used sites at Loch Lubnaig. National Park Community Partnership This first annual review highlights some we supported the preparation of of the successes which were achieved Additionally, delivery of £200k in capital new Action Plans, as well investing in through the significant contributions investment saw improvements to projects such as the restoration of made by partners. part of the popular Conic Hill section Argyll Mausoleum in Kilmun to helping of the West Highland Way. Our strong We are proud to have completed the achieve funding success for a new paths Fiona Logan Operation Ironworks partnership with many diverse conservation projects network in St Fillans. Chief Executive Officer Police Scotland continues to support through implementation of the first responsible behaviour and improve The coming year presents many new National Park Biodiversity Action Plan safety for our visitors. opportunities to achieve great success 2008-11. Through targeted efforts through partnership working. This with key partners we have an increased Linda McKay Our investment in the long-term report highlights some of the priority population of red squirrel and water Convener, Loch Lomond future of the Park is already supporting activities for the coming year. A key & The Trossachs National vole, and have a programme in place for communities and local businesses as theme is how we continue to utilise and Park Authority control of invasive non native species in well as safeguarding high quality and 4 NATIONAL PARK PARTNERSHIP PLAN 2012–2017 | ANNUAL REVIEW 2012–2013 Facal-toisich Chaidh Plana Com-pàirteach Pàirc cuide ri prìomh chom-pàirtichean, chuir sin ‘Obair an Iarainn’, cuide ri Poileas na ath-ùrachaidh Chrùisle Earra-ghàidheal Nàiseanta Loch Laomainn & nan sinn ri lìon nam feòragan ruadha agus h-Alba, ann a bhith a’ toirt taic a thaobh ann an Cill Mhunna agus cuideachadh Tròisichean a chur ri chèile gus nan lamhallan, agus tha prògram an-sàs giùlan ciallach agus sàbhailteachd am gus maoineachadh fhaotainn airson againn gus smachd a chumail air cus measg ar luchd-tadhail. lìonra ùr de cheuman-coiseachd anns a’ stiùireadh is leasachadh anns a’ ghnèithean neo-ghnàthach ann am Phort Mhòr. phàirt shònraichte seo de dh’Alba a prìomh raointean thar na Pàirce. Tha ar Tha gu bheil sinn a’ cur maoin is eile an-sàs gu fad-teirmeach a thaobh Bidh mòran chothroman ann ri linn threòrachadh agus a cho-òrdanachadh.