Autumn/Winter 2019 | No. 24 The The magazine of the Friends of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs Autumn Colours in the Park ALSO INSIDE Park News, Friends Updates, Climate Change Challenge, Nature of the Park and more THIS ISSUE: Chairman’s Introduction WELCOME TO THIS AUTUMN EDITION OF VOICE, which features interesting articles about different aspects of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park with 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 and this served as a reminder that Trossachs Trail which was the first and heritage charity covering the we collectively need to do more scenic touring route in Scotland to National Park, we continue to to introduce young people to the secure special signing as part of a ENJOY FRESH LOCAL PRODUCE strive to make a difference through natural wonders of the National Park comprehensive tourism management Join us for seasonal menus with locally sourced ingredients, The finest Scottish seafood, served alongside a splendid campaigning, fundraising and in a variety of engaging ways. Here programme prior to the establishment a fantastic wine list and hand-pulled craft ales. wine list created by expert Matthew Jukes. volunteering activities, working in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs of the National Park. 01436 860420 lochlomondarmshotel.com 01436 860420 luss-seafoodbar.com closely with partners such as the National Park, the National Park Some of our talented trustees spent LOCH LOMOND ARMS HOTEL MAIN ROAD LUSS G83 8NY LUSS SEAFOOD BAR PIER ROAD LUSS SCOTLAND G83 8NY Park Authority, local communities, Authority, with sponsorship from part of the summer writing text and businesses and tourism groups. partners such as Forest Holidays, sourcing photos for an attractively The issue of climate change has been is making some strides forward in designed ‘Explore Loch Lomond’ in the news regularly in recent months connecting youngsters with the great exhibition we have co-sponsored with after record temperatures and the outdoors through initiatives such as Loch Lomond Shores. We recently desecration of large tracts of the youth volunteer and junior ranger installed this exhibition in a prominent Amazon as a result of thousands of programmes. location in Loch Lomond Shores forest fires. There were examples of At the Friends we are pleased to be shopping mall at Balloch to showcase climate change impacts here in the playing our part by stepping up our the special qualities of Loch Lomond National Park in early August with funding support for youth outdoor and to encourage more visitors and local residents to venture out and Traffic Design Consultants Email: [email protected] a series of spectacular landslides at recreational activities, for example, 1048 Govan Road, Web: www.traffic-design.co.uk explore the wider Loch Lomond area. Glasgow, G51 4XS Co. No. SC 210509 the north end of Loch Katrine and through Ardroy Outdoor Education Tel: 0141 445 2174 VAT No. 829 372796 in nearby Strathfillan. This resulted Centre and Callander Youth Project. Please enjoy reading this edition of in the emergency evacuation of 17 We also have plans to work with youth Voice and hopefully the contents will people from Glengyle and the closure groups in West Dunbartonshire to inspire you to get out and about in the of the West Highland Railway Line introduce more youngsters to outdoor National Park to enjoy what promises to be a very colourful Autumn. If near Crianlarich with the railway recreational activities in the National Loch Lomond Adventures you are not already a member of the being undermined by heavy rainfall. Park if our bid for funds from the Friends, please consider joining and Logo concepts - Logo option 4 - colour In this edition of Voice John Urquhart, Council’s Year of Young People Legacy supporting our efforts to protect, Suggestion for how colours could look. Subtle colours. Vice-Chairman of the Friends, shares Fund is successful. Some match 5* holiday park on the shores of Loch Lomond provide and promote Scotland’s his thoughts on the scale of climate funding will come from the successful first National Park (see page 20 for change challenges and some of the Friends of OUR park voluntary visitor Book your adventure now at inverbeg.com T. 01436 860 267 [email protected] membership details). impacts in the National Park. giving scheme we operate with A recent social media post issued by tourism businesses throughout the the US National Parks Foundation National Park. All the very best. boldly claimed, “A love of the We are delighted to be working JAMES FRASER outdoors is one of the greatest with partners on a range of projects Chair - Friends of Loch Lomond things you can give your kids” including refreshing the award winning 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 Articles published in The Voice do not necessarily precious part of Scotland – The Loch Lomond and The Trossachs represent the views of The Friends of Loch Lomond and National Park. To join us or to find out more about our work please BIKES GUIDED WALKS The Trossachs. Charity No. SC015389 Join us on a visit www.lochlomondtrossachs.org.uk or use the form inside. magical adventure through KAYAK & CANOE BOAT TICKETS The Voice is printed on 100% recycled paper Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs; Carrochan; Carrochan supporting the re-use of forest resources and the beautiful woodlands SPEEDBOAT CANYONING in accordance with FSC standards only using Road; Balloch G83 8EG around Luss Village WATERSPORTS 4x4 ADVENTURE 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 Cover photo – Loch Achray and Ben A’an in the Trossachs LOCH LOMOND FAERIE TRAIL, LUSS, G83 8PA LUSS CARPARK www.inglewood-press.co.uk www.lochlomondfaerietrail.com WWW.LOCHLOMONDADVENTURES.COM email: [email protected] Cover image by Paul Saunders www.paulsaunders.co.uk 2 The Voice - Autumn/Winter 2019 www.lochlomondtrossachs.org.uk 3 Balmaha to Inchcaillach Island Ferry FRIENDS UPDATE • FRIENDS UPDATE • FRIENDS UPDATE • FRIENDS UPDATE • FRIENDS UPDATE • FRIENDS UPDATE • FRIENDS UPDATE • FRIENDS UPDATE • FRIENDS UPDATE • FRIENDS UPDATE • FRIENDS UPDATE • FRIEND Balmaha and Inchcaillach Ben Lomond and Loch Lomond from Lomond Shores, Balloch. Nestling at the foot of the steep sided Conic Hill and sheltered by Inchcaillach (Nun Island), Balmaha Bay is a scenic gem. Preserving the memory of a Celtic saint, Balmaha’s name LAUDER MONUMENT PROJECT SUCCESS goes back 1,500 years to the days before Scotland emerged as a nation. Its more recentBalloch history as a centre of oak bark VOLUNTEERS processing and whisky smuggling is no less fascinating. The £25,000 package of improvements completed by the Friends Located where the River Leven exits from the southern end A delightful network of walking trails is a magnet for those of Loch Lomond, Balloch has excellent access to the water wanting to experience the very best of Loch Lomond’s stunning and is the loch’s premier resort. scenery. 50,000 West Highland Way Great Trail walkers pass through the village everyBalloch’s year using name the derives path whichfrom the drops Gaelic, down “Bealach” meaning a at the secluded Lauder Monument site south of Strachur late last from the shoulder of Conicpassage Hill orbefore gap. heading up the lochside to Rowardennan and points further north. The passage which BallochExplore commanded was historically one year has resulted in a large increase in visitors to the site over the of the most important routes between Scotland’s Lowlands AND FOREST and Highlands, a strategic fact recognised by the powerful Loch Lomond During spring Inchcailloch Earls of Lennox who in feudal times ruled this area from Island is covered in a blanket of beautiful bluebells. past nine months. The Monument at Invernoaden was originally their castle on the other side of the River Leven, just a few The popular Oak Tree Inn is hundred metres from this spot. a favourite overnight stop for Impressive Vital Statistics! walkers of the West Highland The Tom Weir’s Rest picnic Way. Visitors flock too for the The ancient castle is now long gone, but today Balloch issite is maintained by combination of good Scottish unveiled in 1921 by world famous entertainer Sir Harry Lauder in As well as being beautiful, Loch Lomondconservation is charity, BIG! Friends At 71 squarefood km, and drink and wonderful still an important gateway to LochBalmaha Lomond has an Information and the Scottish Loch Lomond is the largest area ofof Lochfreshwater Lomond & The on the mainlandscenery. Highlands - used by over 2 millionoffice visitors operated everyby Loch year. Trossachs. of the UKLomond and and with The aTrossachs maximum depth of 190 metres and a length ‘The Conic‘ (361m) is a National Park. HOLIDAYS popular 1 hour climb. of 36.4 km. It is the third deepest and the third longest loch in memory of his son, Captain John Lauder who was tragically shot The trail is steep in places, Inchcaillach is an island so take care! Scotland. The loch’s maximum width at the southern end is 6.8 km nature reserve. Follow the summit path for stunning and it narrows down to a fjord like finger at the northern end. views of the loch. Loch Lomond’s normally holds 2.6 million cubic metres of and killed by a sniper in France during the First World War. water and is only exceeded by Loch Ness with 7.4million cubic metres! The loch is a giant water reservoir too and contributes to A delightful place to stroll Old Balloch Station on and picnic, Balloch Park has Central Scotland’s drinking water supply.