Friends of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs Voice Magazine Summer 2024 Edition by friendslochlomondtrossachs

The magazine of the Friends of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs

A word of welcome from John Urquhart our Chairman

WELCOME to the Summer edition of The Voice.

It has been another busy Spring for the Friends, especially on the planning front, where no less than six major planning applications have demanded our attention. Some, like the Lomond Banks proposal, have been around for quite some time, while others, like Strathclyde University’s solar farm proposal for Ross Priory, were just about to be lodged as Voice was going to press. You can just about guarantee that any major planning application in or near the National Park will be controversial and these six are no exception.

As a conservation body we are perhaps more aware than most of the seriousness of the global warming crisis. So in giving our qualified support to renewable energy projects in and around the National Park, we are following the logic and accepting that it is only right our area contributes its fair share to the national drive for green energy security.

Renewable energy company Coriolis is continuing its effort to obtain planning permission for their proposed Vale of Leven wind farm. If the proposal gets the go ahead, we expect people will quickly get used to the turbines and in time may even come to appreciate their graceful outlines. They may also come to appreciate the associated network of new tracks which will provide easy

access to the Kilpatricks where they will be able to enjoy the wonderful views you get there, north towards Loch Lomond and south over Glasgow and the Clyde, most of which will largely be uncompromised by the project. You will of course be able to see the turbines in the distance from many spots around the Kilpatrick Hills, but we believe this is a small price to pay for the increased energy security they will deliver.

For more detail on this and the other big renewable energy project at Inveruglas, see our special Planning for change in a warming world feature on page 6.

The stunning scenery of the National Park continues to attract large numbers of visitors with ever more people looking to get close to nature. Short walking routes are tremendously popular as are Munro and Corbett summits like Ben Lomond and The Cobbler, both of which attract thousands each year. This puts tremendous pressure on access trails, as we cover in our Walk the Talk item. Our cover picture, taken last June, shows a couple of hillwalkers descending from The Cobbler by a less well trodden route under the south face of the South Peak. This pair are just getting into a boulder field where route finding in poor visibility can be interesting!

Apologies are due regarding the final

paragraph of the “Branch Loch” walk story in our Winter edition. Here is the correct information and an update sent in by reader, Sheron Hambly.

“The hydro funded a few hundred pounds for maintenance for this part of the River Walk, the original path was funded by a grant of around £25,000 from Scottish Natural Heritage (now Nature Scot) with a smaller amount from Paths for All for an extra seat and signage…

“Unfortunately, the River Walk suffered catastrophic damage in the October storms and we are currently in the process of trying to reinstate it after a crowdfunder raised £10,000.

“You can find more information about the River Walks on the Lochgoil Trust website and Facebook pages, along with lots of detail on how the hydro has funded a wide range of organisations across the community.”

www.lochgoil-trust.org/projects/ the-river-walk

”STOP PRESS” item: The River walk has now re-opened.

All the very best, JOHN URQUHART

Chair - Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs

Articles published in The Voice do not necessarily represent the views of The Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs. Charity No. SC015389

The Voice is printed on 100% recycled paper supporting the re-use of forest resources and in accordance with FSC standards only using post-consumer recycled wood and fibre Designed and printed by The Inglewood Press Ltd, Alloa, Scotland www.inglewood-press.co.uk email: inglewoodprint@gmail.com

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 Trossachs National Park. To join us or to find out more about our work please visit www. lochlomondtrossachs.org.uk or use the form inside.

Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs; Carrochan; Carrochan Road; Balloch G83 8EG

Telephone: 07496 433134

Email: info@lochlomondtrossachs.org.uk www.lochlomondtrossachs.org.uk

Cover image Hillwalkers descending beneath the south face of the Cobbler’s fang-like South Peak

Qualified support for Loch Long Marine Fish Farm at Beinn Reithe

Loch Long Salmon is a low-impact salmon farming project dedicated to environmental stewardship and animal welfare. The project proposes to use semi-closed systems which eliminate sea lice and capture, remove, and reuse almost all the solid waste. This can then then be used in anaerobic digesters for green energy production – allowing the fish farming system to contribute to Scotland’s circular economy.

Following the decision by the National Park Authority Board on 31 October 2022 to refuse the application for a marine fish farm below Beinn Reithe, Loch Long, an appeal was submitted on 3 February 2023 and it is now being considered by the Scottish Government’s Planning and Environmental Appeals Division. The Friends has given the application qualified support provided the business invests in the natural capital of the area. This could include measures such as footpath improvement, marine litter clearance and the removal of rhododendrons damaging rare Atlantic oakwood rainforest. Loch Long is already heavily developed with industrial forestry, oil storage, port and military facilities. The company Simply Blue plan to use a closed system to mitigate the environmental problems associated with the existing net enclosure method used elsewhere.

Background image is marine sea nets farming at Loch Fyne and is for illustrative purposes only

Loch Long from Portincaple

Finnart Oil Terminal

HMS Queen Elizabeth loading stores at Glen Mallan military jetty. (Beinn Reithe in the background)

ON THE SLIPWAY TO SUCCESS PROGRESS MAID

As our pictures show, work continues at Loch Lomond’s venerable paddle steamer, the Maid of The Loch. She is still on her Balloch Pier slipway next to the National Park’s Duncan Mills launching point, but restoration work on her paintwork, paddles and boiler room hull structure and plating is progressing. Once

those tasks have been done, the volunteers tell us she will be re-launched and moved back to her pier where she will resume her floating venue, museum and café role while the charity works on raising the large sums still needed to return her to full steam powered operation.

HELP US RESTORE THE MAID

Restoring the Maid is a large capital project and depends on a large number of people, funding bodies and businesses offering their time, energy and financial support.

The Maid now sits on the slipway. The entire hull has been scanned and a programme of work commenced that will replace much of the steelwork under the boiler room area. We are now rebuilding the paddles after complete refurbishment of all parts. We aim to recoat the hull and funnel in her original colours. The costs for all this will be substantial but greatly reduced by the use of our skilled volunteer labour force.

Two generations of Maid volunteers: Ex Navy man George Gerc and new volunteer recruit, Nick Orde, pose in front of the boiler which powers the Maid’s vintage steam winch - still more than capable of pulling her 600 tonnes out of the loch. Nick, an apprentice marine engineer, clearly can’t get enough of boilers and engines!

OR SCAN THE QR CODE

Progress with repainting is clear in this shot, courtesy of Friends member Jim Biddulph. Contd. overleaf

These GAP employees spent a day volunteering at the Maid earlier this year.

PLANNING FOR CHANGE IN A WARMING WORLD

Scottish and Southern Electricity is proposing to partially convert their Sloy Hydro electric scheme to pumped storage. How ironic that now the Friends will be enthusiastically supporting their project.

The Sloy hydro scheme’s pen stock pipes and Art Deco generating hall date from the late 1940 early 1950s. There were

Partial Conversion of SSE’s Sloy hydro-electric facility to pumped storage

Scottish and Southern Electricity (SSE) is proposing to partially convert their existing hydro-electric scheme at Sloy into a pumped storage facility, essentially making it into a giant rechargeable battery.

have been appointed to undertake the design concept exercise for Scottish and Southern Electricity’s new building to house

During times of low demand (typically overnight) or oversupply (when there is too much renewable energy being generated), water will be pumped up the existing pipelines and tunnels from Loch Lomond to Loch Sloy. During periods of high energy demand, the water will be allowed to drain back down from Loch Sloy, generating electricity.

The development of pumped storage at Sloy would only require construction work to be carried out in the vicinity of the existing power station. No permanent new works would be required at Sloy Dam.

SSE held two successful public engagement events in July and November last year which were well attended by the local community and interested groups. The power

company are currently finalising their Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and are expecting to submit a planning submission to Scottish Ministers in Summer 2024.

Georgina Wardrop, SSE Renewables’ Head of Hydro Stakeholder Engagement, said: “We would like to thank everyone who joined us at our public exhibition events last year. It was great to see so many people interested in finding out more about our proposals to convert the iconic Sloy Power Station into a pumped hydro storage facility.

“We are committed to continued engagement throughout the planning process to ensure the local community is updated and local voices are heard as we further develop the project.

“Sloy Power Station has been a proud part of the local community since the 1950s and it stands ready to play an important role for generations to come, providing vital flexibility to the electricity grid and supporting the transition to net zero.”

VALE OF LEVEN WIND FARM

How the turbines will look as seen from Balloch’s Tullichewan roundabout

McMillan, consultants for Coriolis Energy, have provided the following information:

• The Vale of Leven Wind Farm proposal, located to the east and north east of the Vale of Leven area, is for up to 10 turbines up to 250m to tip in height, with a capacity of 70MW for onshore wind. The proposal includes plans to co-locate battery storage on site to maximise the use of the grid connection.

• The development was submitted to the Energy Consents Unit in October 2023, with information days held in Balloch, Gartocharn, Bonhill and at the Loch Lomond Rugby Club in November 2023 to allow residents and organisations to examine and discuss the application with the project team.

• The site is on rough grazing moorland, largely within an ‘Area with potential for Wind Energy Development’ and the project, if consented, could deliver enough renewable energy to power over 50,000 homes.

• The Vale of Leven Wind Farm proposal includes a proposed community benefit package of £5,000 per MW of installed capacity, which would generate £350,000 per annum for the lifetime of the project.

• In addition to community benefit, the development will be offered as a shared ownership wind farm, giving the local community the opportunity to invest in the wind farm.

• The proposed development is a partnership between Coriolis Energy and ESB. Coriolis Energy is an independent, UK-based renewables developer and has been developing renewable energy projects since 2007, primarily focusing on onshore wind. The company has offices in Glasgow and has delivered more than 100 MW of operational onshore wind farm capacity. Coriolis Energy is a member of the Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce and intends to work with the trade body and other business groups to maximise opportunities for local suppliers.

• ESB, with offices in Glasgow, is Ireland’s part state-owned electricity utility company. As well as onshore and offshore wind, ESB is also heavily involved in electric vehicle infrastructure and provides renewable heat systems, such as installing the low carbon heating and cooling system in the V&A Dundee.

• The Vale of Leven planning documents can be accessed online at the Energy Consents Unit’s website at www. energyconsents.scot under the application reference: 00003468. The application documents have also been uploaded onto the project website at www.valeoflevenwindfarm.com.

PROPOSALS WELCOMED

The Friends welcomes the proposals by SSE and Coriolis as a good example of how the National Park and its surrounding area can contribute to the drive for green energy security. Loch Lomond is after all close to the energy hungry Central Belt and is surrounded by mountains, hills and high valleys which offer good potential for energy production and storage. We maintain that these schemes will have minimal impact on nature or on any of the especially cherished landscapes and views within or around the National Park. The imperative of combatting global warming means it makes sense to capitalise on the resources which exist in the area.

SUPPORT IS CONDITIONAL

Whether it is done via community benefit arrangements, planning gain, or in some other way, as with all major development in or around the National Park which seek to exploit the area’s valuable natural capital, the Friends’ support is conditional on developers guaranteeing to invest in measures aimed at the conservation and appreciation of that natural capital.

LOOKING AHEAD

Looking ahead to potential community natural capital benefits which may flow from these applications, the Friends hopes to work with the other like-minded community bodies in and around the National Park and has sought the assistance of Local Energy Scotland who specialise in providing community bodies with advice on how to access and manage community benefit finance.

St Mocha Coffee Shop in Balmaha celebrated its 10th birthday in April 2024!

Since then, St Mocha Balmaha has been joined by St Mocha at The Station in Aberfoyle, and St Mocha Drive-Thru in Carbeth.

Here is to another 10 years of serving tasty food, homemade ice cream and freshly roasted Loch Lomond Coffee.

TWO LOCHS VISITOR MANAGEMENT PROJECT

Four years ago, Covid recovery funding saw the Friends step more seriously into the visitor management arena with our 2 Lochs project aimed at addressing the appalling neglect of the longstanding littering and toileting problems along the A82 corridor between Balloch and Tarbet. Sponsorship from the local business community, assistance from the Hannah Stirling Loch Lomond Trust, Arrochar & Tarbet Community Development Trust, Argyll and Bute Council and The National Park Authority had allowed the continuation of the provision last year. Unfortunately, this year the Council have been unable to contribute to the temporary toilet provision and the National Park have been unable to continue to support the toilet provision and bin emptying. As a result, the Friends have had to withdraw the summer provision of portaloos at Duck Bay and Arrochar and the seasonal village warden service

at Arrochar and Tarbet. A lack of financial support also means that the Friends’ “Windows on the Loch” programme has had to be discontinued. After the 11th April, local contractor Walter Dey and hard working assistants ended efforts to control the fast growing scrub which obscures views of Loch Lomond where the A82 runs close to the water.

However, we are pleased to report that due to a hugely generous grant of £10,000 from the Hannah Stirling Loch Lomond Fund, a successful application to Argyll & Bute Council’s Supporting Communities Fund and continued generous sponsorship from local businesses, we will be able to continue the highly successful A82 layby bins part of the scheme. So first of all, a big thankyou to Hannah’s fund trustees. A big thankyou too to the business sponsors, Lochs and Glens, Forest Holidays, Cruise Loch Lomond, Sweeney’s Cruises, The Lodge on Loch Lomond, Travel Chapter Holiday Cottages, Loch Long Salmon and Luss Estates. Once again it is Luss Estates which is far and away the biggest business sponsor, so a special thanks to them. Tourism businesses have been struggling of late, so it is a sign of the importance they attach to this issue that, even when times are hard, they are willing

In an effort to discourage fly tipping and the “polite littering” practice of placing bagged rubbish next to overflowing bins, this year we have added this sign to the bins. So far it seems to be working fairly well although a few thoughtless idiots still persist in making a mess.

to put their hands in their pockets to the extent they do.

However a downside is that the trustees of Hannah’s fund have made it clear that their grant is a one off and will not be repeated, so the long term issue of how to finance the bins remains.

STOP PRESS!

CAWLEY HOTELS HAVE INSTALLED FOUR PORTALOOS IN THE ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL CAR PARK NEXT TO THEIR DUCK BAY MARINA HOTEL AND LUSS ESTATES HAVE ARRANGED PORTALOOS AT ARROCHAR

Friends Trustee Stewart Gibb installing Loch Long Salmon’s sponsorship poster near Inverbeg.

Litter bin locations and sponsors

Delivering a sustainable visitor destination for all

AWith another visitor season well underway, thousands of people are flocking to the National Park to spend time in nature and enjoy recreation opportunities such as hiking, camping and water sports.

round 50 per cent of Scotland’s population lives less than an hour away from the National Park and its stunning landscapes attract an estimated four million visitors every year.

Now, as communities across Scotland are increasingly faced with the impacts of climate change and nature loss, we need to look at transforming the National Park into a more sustainable visitor destination, supporting people to access the outdoors in a way that is more in harmony with nature and supports the reduction of emissions.

This season residents and visitors will see for themselves some of the exciting projects that we are working on to take us closer to our vision of the National Park as a thriving place that is nature positive and carbon negative.

Tarbet Loch Lomond

The National Park Authority site at Tarbet Loch Lomond is being upgraded and improved as a result of a masterplan that was developed in collaboration with the local community and businesses.

The popular visitor site will be transformed over the next two years into a sustainable low-carbon destination with expanded facilities for the community and for visitors. Additions include a new shelter and viewpoint, additional native woodland and a range of measures to establish the site as a sustainable travel hub, enhancing connections between the train station and water bus connections from Tarbet Pier.

A cycle hub with repair station is being installed, as well as charging points for electric vehicles, more accessible pedestrian facilities and improved cycling routes.

There will also be improvements to motorhome facilities including better parking and waste disposal facilities. Work is ongoing at the site, meaning facilities for visitors are limited this season.

Access to cruise services is available, as are toilets and the café, but parking is limited and the site is not suitable for campervans or motorhomes this summer.

The full site is due to re-open in the autumn. The ambitious transformation of Tarbet Loch Lomond is very much a blueprint for future development of other key visitor sites in the National Park.

Gordon Watson, Chief Executive, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

Conic Hill upgraded path

cAr-free Access to popul Ar pl Aces

Focus On

Water Safety

be introduced in rossAchs e xplorer.

The National Park is home to 22 lochs, one lake (Scotland’s only natural lake!), 39 miles of coastline around three sea lochs, and many miles of rivers.

Enjoying time in, on or beside the water is a big draw for visitors and water sports enthusiasts, making water safety a priority for National

Enjoying time in, on or beside the water is a big draw for visitors and water sports enthusiasts, making water safety a priority for National Park Rangers.

A pilot bus service will be introduced in the trossAchs - the trossAchs e xplorer.

Our visitor survey shows 79% of visitors currently travel to the National Park by car and 73% explore the area by car, making transport the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the National Park.

This season there will be a number of water safety events at popular loch-shore locations including Luss, Balloch and Milarrochy Bay in Balmaha. Rangers will be offering advice on how to enjoy the National Park’s water bodies safely and how to seek help if you or someone you are with gets into difficulty. Further details of these events will be shared on the Park Authority’s social media channels (@Lomondtrossachs) during the

The National Park Authority will trial a bus service between Aberfoyle and Callander this summer, from early July to the end of September. It will stop at a number of busy visitor locations on the route including Loch Katrine, Ben A’an and The Lodge Visitor Centre in Queen Elizabeth Forest Park.

also open up these destinations visitors and residents without access to a car, making the National more inclusive.

It will also open up these destinations to visitors and residents without access to a car, making the National Park more inclusive.

is a pilot project and visitors, residents, communities and businesses will be asked for feedback progresses to help inform how longer-term service might operate how it would be used by visitors residents.

During the three-month pilot, visitors and residents alike will be able to reach some of the National Park’s most popular visitor destinations without a car.

On Loch Lomond – Britain’s largest body of freshwater – byelaws apply and are used by National Park Rangers as a tool to manage the range of recreational activity and to protect both public safety and the special environmental qualities of the loch.

Changes to the Loch Lomond Byelaws will come into force on 1st November 2024, including the creation of low-speed activity zones and making it compulsory for under-16s to wear a buoyancy aid.

This is a pilot project and visitors, residents, communities and businesses will be asked for feedback as it progresses to help inform how a longer-term service might operate and how it would be used by visitors and residents.

details on the Trossachs Explorer will be shared on the National Park Authority’s social media channels (@Lomondtrossachs) with local communities and businesses in June.

As well as reducing emissions, providing better public transport options for visitors supports communities and businesses in the National Park by helping tackle congestion and parking issues.

More details on the Trossachs Explorer will be shared on the National Park Authority’s social media channels (@Lomondtrossachs) and with local communities and businesses in June.

Changes to the Loch Lomond Byelaws will come into force on 1st November 2024, including the creation of low-speed activity zones and making it compulsory for under-16s to wear a buoyancy aid.

To find out more about the Loch Lomond Byelaws, including the changes coming in later this year, see the Loch Lomond Byelaw Review page on the National Park Authority website or speak to Rangers at Duncan Mills Memorial Slipway in Balloch.

Loch Katrine

Ben A’an

National Trust for Scotland are undertaking vital conservation work on the summit of Ben Lomond to try and stop soil erosion and the spread of vegetation loss.

BEN LOMOND SUMMIT REPAIRS

In the last couple of years it has become very apparent that severe trampling erosion has increased on the summit of Ben Lomond, with the risk that the area of bare, unvegetated ground on the summit could double over the next few years. There has been trampling across this area for a long time, but it has been much more noticeable recently, enough to cause concern that it should be addressed if possible.

The above photo is a capture from Google Earth 3D, looking southwards with the summit trig point in the middle of the large bare area near the bottom of the picture. The view illustrates the area we are concerned

about, to the east (left) of the existing eroded pathline to the trig point. The vegetation degradation is clear in this image and if continued would lead to the loss of topsoil, increasing the bare ground on Ben Lomond summit to at least double the current width of erosion.

The main photo at the bottom of this article is a view looking southwards from about 5m east of the trig point in 2021. It clearly shows the loss of vegetation density, and the reason for it being increased visitor pressure on the summit of Ben Lomond. It has also partly been caused by more walkers ascending by the old pony track which arrives on the summit between the nearest two sitting groups, and by more people setting off back down the vegetated ground after they have sat there a while.

There were intense periods of very high visitor numbers to the summit during the periods in which lockdowns were eased during the pandemic year of 2020. This concentrated pressure

may have been the catalyst for the increasingly bare look of this area of ground. It is considered that vegetation loss was taking place before this, but not at so noticeable a rate.

Given the risk of losing such an extent of vegetation and topsoil, NTS staff have decided to go ahead with work to attempt to reduce impacts on the eastern area and on the 150m of final ascent up towards the summit. This will involve a high degree of disturbance to the ground initially, doing the style of landscaping works used to good effect on many other eroded sections of the main path with the intention of making the areas to be protected more off-putting to walk on. This generally involves changing flattish, open ground into a series of hummocks and hollows features. It will be more difficult to completely divert people away from the relevant areas on the summit, due to the number of people that can gather there and the amount of time people spend there, but we feel it is worth trying to do something to save the ground and vegetation here.

Looking southwards from about 5m east of the trig point in 2021

For these works to be successful some extra material needs to be brought into the site including turf, stone, and soil/spoil. The quantities are fairly small and we have consulted with NatureScot to agree an area of ground suitable for winning such materials from. This will be done as sensitively as possible to ensure the area remains looking as undisturbed and natural as it does currently. The work will also require digging up some of the turf on the trampled ground, which will be carefully put aside and re-positioned back onto the ground once it has been landscaped into a more undulating shape. There are sensitive and scarce plant habitats and species on the summit of Ben Lomond. The ranger service have good knowledge of these from many years of working on the hill, and will be taking care not to impact on these and other important features.

We hope to carry out this work in the early Spring, to give as full a growing season as possible for the turf to knit together again after disturbance. It will be weather dependent though so timescale might change.

We are also very mindful of the potential historical significance behind Ben Lomond’s name, it coming from an old Brittonic word, llumon, meaning beacon. It is unlikely that any traces of possible beacon use have survived the centuries of wind, weather and footfall, but we hope to have an archaeologist on hand when we dig up the summit turves, just in case…

Notes on the map.

HABITATS

There seems to be some confusion about the snow-bed communities present on Ben Lomond. The NVC survey in 2005 recorded U12 Salix herbacea – Racomitrium lanuginosum snow-bed as indicated on the map. However, the HCA in 2013 recorded U13b Deschampsia cespitosa – Galium saxatile grassland, Rhytidiadelphus loreus sub-community in a similar location, confined to the upper northern slopes of the Ben Lomond. Alison Averis, the author, said that she did not see any U11 or U12, although they “might possibly occur in gullies that were filled with snow at the time of the survey”. An NCC map from 1986 (which I haven’t seen) also recorded U13b (as E2 from Birks and Ratcliffe) but apparently not U12. U13b is not included on the current map but will occur on the steep north-facing slopes of Ben Lomond.

Additionally, the patch of Sibbaldia high on the east-facing slope of Ben Lomond warrants further investigation. It seems possible that it is a patch of U14 Alchemilla alpina – Sibbaldia procumbens dwarf-herb community, which would be slightly further south than it is currently – Sibbaldia is at its southern extent on Ben Lomond. The list of species recorded at the location in 2012 by Trust staff fits with this community. On the NVC map it is mapped as being within U7b Nardus stricta –Carex bigelowii grass-heath. It would be useful to map the U13b, confirm the presence of U12 and assess whether there is any U14, unless it was confirmed in 2012.

Other communities mentioned on the map are U5e Nardus stricta – Galium saxatile grassland, Racomitrium lanuginosum sub-community, U7c Nardus stricta – Carex bigelowii grassheath, Alchemilla alpina – Festuca ovina sub-community and U10a Carex bigelowii – Racomitrium lanuginosum moss heath Galium saxatile sub-community. Disturbance of U10a should be avoided.

SOLIFLUCTION TERRACES

Mapping of the terraces is approximate. It is based on what can be seen on Google Maps, which had the best clarity I could find. Even so, some of the area under consideration was in deep shade. It would be interesting to map the true extent of the terraces.

DAN WATSON

This photo shows the extent of erosion spreading on the final ascent to Ben Lomond summit.

ALASDAIR ECKERSALL

EXPLORE THE TROSSACHS

Artists and poets of the early 1800s the Trossachs on the map, attracted by its romantic and dramatic landscapes. Their poetry and paintings drew large numbers of visitors and triggered the birth of tourism in Scotland.

Nowadays the Trossachs Trail, a 40-mile road loop, opens up the Trossachs and the east of the National Park for you to explore on foot, by boat, or by bike. It is part of a wider initiative led by

Steamship Sir Walter Scott Trust at Loch Katrine in partnership with the Friends that has brought welcome improvements to visitor infrastructure such as signage, paths, toilets, cycle repair stations, campervan facilities and car parks; largely funded by the Government’s Scotland Loves Local Fund and local charities including the Friends, Steamship Sir Walter Scott Trust and the Strathard and Callander Community Hydro Funds, with additional funding from Forestry and Land Scotland and VisitScotland.

The Trossachs Trail builds on an award-winning tourism and the environment project in the early 1990s. In 2021, the tiredlooking Trossachs Trail road signs were refreshed and attractive

information and map panels were installed at 40 locations in local tourism businesses, laybys and car parks.

A website followed and then in 2022 a leaflet, which was so popular it was reprinted by the Friends in 2023 with support from Callander Community Hydro Fund and Sir Walter Scott Steamship Trust.

This information panel in a layby on the A84 close to Callander replaced one of the outdated 1990s panel destroyed by Storm Arwen

UP, UP AND AWAY AT LOCH KATRINE

The Lookout Tower at Roderick Dhu is airlifted into place

The final part of the £1m Trossachs Trail initiative was recently lifted into place at the exact spot where Sir Walter Scott and other writers and artists were inspired by the magic of the Trossachs. The historic Roderick Dhu lookout point high above Trossachs Pier at Loch Katrine has been given a new lease of life with the installation of a tower and access path. Inspiration for the

project came from Victorian era paintings that showed wickerwork shelters where the stunning view northwest up Loch Katrine towards Eilean Molach was immortalised as Ellen’s Isle in Sir Walter Scott’s epic poem The Lady of The Lake. Building control hold ups had delayed the installation, but at long last the framework was helicoptered into place early in May this year. The

TYNDRUM INFRASTRUCTURE GROUP PUSHES

FOR CHANGING PLACES TOILET

Tyndrum Infrastructure Group (TIG), a small Scottish Charity, chaired by Sarah Heward, proprietor of the award winning “Real Food Café” , was established in December 2020 with the sole aim of providing a new build Changing Place Toilet (CPT) in the village of Tyndrum. In partnership with the popular “Green Welly Stop”, a site was identified for the new CPT and a Feasibility Study was commissioned which identified Tyndrum as the ideal site for the new facility. The project is now “shovel ready” and TIG is busy submitting funding applications to raise the £250,000 needed to progress with the construction of the new facility. The Scottish Government has recently announced that their £10 million Changing Places Toilet Fund will be open to applications in January 2025, so TIG hopes to

achieve a maximum award so that construction of the new facility in Tyndrum can commence in the autumn and be completed in that financial year.

Supporters to date:-

• Sarah Heward, The Real Food Café, Tyndrum

• Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority

• Crowdfunder Pledges

• Stirling Council

• The Hugh Fraser Foundation

The provision of this new facility in Tyndrum will encourage more people with disabilities to visit Loch Lomond and the Trossachs in the knowledge that their needs will be catered for at the Green Welly Stop. An increase in visitor numbers will increase revenue in the local cafes and restaurants and bring much needed income to boost the local economy.

access path, completed last year, will soon be busy with Loch Katrine visitors keen to see the inspirational view. A sum of £231,000 was secured from the VisitScotland Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund facilitated by Stirling Council, with the £100,000 balance required provided by the Steamship Trust.

So what exactly is a Changing Place Toilet?

Changing places toilets are specially designed facilities for people with complex and multiple disabilities and care needs who require the assistance of one or two attendants. These toilets go beyond standard accessible restrooms and include features like a height-adjustable changing bench, a hoist, a centrally placed toilet, privacy screens, a shower and more. They are essential for ensuring dignity and accessibility for individuals with specific or complex needs.

For more information about this project, or Tyndrum Infrastructure Group, please contact: Dougie Peddie, TIG Treasurer M: 07460 092 560 E: d.peddie@btinternet.com

A Skyhook helicopter prepares to lift one of the prefabricated tower sections

Prefabricated tower section being airlifted with the SS Sir Walter Scott in foreground

The completed tower frame ready to accept its timber cladding, stairs and floors

FOLAT gratefully acknowledge the use of pictures by CAP.CO © Bob Ottaway

TALKING THE TALK... WALKING THE WALK

As well as talking the talk, both the National Trust and the National Park have been walking the walk when it comes to improving key footpaths on west Loch Lomondside, as these pictures show

National Trust for Scotland Ben Lomond Property Manager, Alasdair Eckersall, writes:

Much of the pathwork on Ben Lomond is being led by David Allsop, who came in as the ranger for paths and engagement in 2022. David has managed to raise a lot of volunteer help as well. We’ve also still got the input of the Trust in-house team who do about 8 weeks a year at Ben Lomond, and another ranger colleague who contributes to path maintenance as part of his remit.

Last spring and summer a big job was undertaken to narrow down the area under trampling pressure on the summit.

IMPROVING ACCESS TO CONIC HILL

Work on the beautiful and heavily used Conic access trail is ongoing and should be completed this summer. A conservative estimated is that there are over 250,000 passages of this trail each year so the National Park really has had no option but to pave the route. The work is costing close to £1M pounds.

There has also been plenty of work continuing on the Ptarmigan ridge and on several sections of the main tourist path, and we were up last week starting to assess what work is needed to try and get on top of the north climb from the Ptarmigan ridge to the summit. As ever we are trying to keep the work blending in with the hillside as much as possible and prefer to make good use of natural looking landscaping rather than relying too heavily on overbuilding the path surface itself.

David Allsop works on a steep section of the Ptarmigan route up Ben Lomond

Working on Ben Lomond’s summit ridge trail.

Vegetation on Ben Lomond’s summit area is heavily trampled

An Irish company has been installing the stone which was flown in by helicopter.

Friends Chair John Urquhart tries out a newly paved section of the Conic trail

A HUGE HEARTFELT THANKS TO ALL THE GUID FAERIES

FAERIES ACTIVE IN TARBET

Hannah’s Fund has also generously financed the replacement of Tarbet’s Faerie Bridge, which was badly damaged by a falling tree during recent storms. It all happened so quickly it appeared to be a mystery as to who had carried out the work. The talk around the village was it might indeed have been the faeries! However further investigation revealed that a combination of local volunteers and Gartocharnbased contractor David McKenzie were responsible for clearing away the remains of the old bridge and installing this modern structure which will serve its purpose well into the future.

The Friends’ role was as financial broker and assistance with project management.

COMBINED EFFORT ON THE EDGE OF THE NATIONAL PARK

Faeries also active near Helensburgh

The Friends have always seen the National Park’s boundaries as flexible, so we were delighted to help North Clyde Archaeological Society recently when their information lectern at a cup-marked boulder near Helensburgh needed some maintenance after winter frosts and heavy rain. Alistair McIntyre was the link faery as he is a member of both the Friends and the archaeology group. Alistair and Friends chair, John Urquhart, are pictured in early May rebuilding and pointing the tumbled stonework.

Apart from its 4 to 5 thousand year old Neolithic rock art, the cup-marked boulder sports more modern carvings and graffiti, the earliest dating back to 1732, indicating it has long been a landmark and meeting point for people down through the centuries. Puzzlingly, there is clear evidence that high explosives have been used to blast it into four major fragments, but despite that, it is still a fine example of a glacial erratic, having been carried to its current resting place by the Loch Long and Gareloch glaciers during the last major ice advance around 20,000 years ago.

Bridge contractor David McKenzie and his team on the new bridge just after the deck had been swung into position.

John Urquhart & Alistair McIntyre fixing cup marked boulder lectern

Completed Tarbet Bridge. David McKenzie has provided improved approaches to the new bridge over the Tarbet Burn

Cup marked boulder info lectern

FASCADAIL Country Guest House

New Business Supporter in Arrochar

In 2021 Brenda and Stuart MacCrimmon bought Arrochar’s 1825 built Fascadail Country Guest House, a business formerly operated by Anne and Kevin Bax who had been loyal Friends members and business supporters for many years.

Brenda is a former US Navy commander while Stuart, who grew up in Liverpool, works with the Ministry of Defence. He still travels far and wide on deployments while Brenda stays closer to home and takes the lion’s share of running the B&B. Stuart doesn’t escape completely though and is kept busy with the maintenance and development of the property when he is home.

Some very helpful neighbours plus Karen who works at Fascadail, are a great help, as there is a lot of garden maintenance involved.

Brenda is keen to get involved with the community and to get to know as many people as she can in the area.

“I am getting a better understanding of the challenges facing small villages”, she says, “And I am keen to take part in the beach cleans organised by the community in an effort to tackle the issue of marine litter which gathers at the head of the loch”.

Brenda decided to become a Business Supporter after Friends’ Chair, John Urquhart and the Friends’ Project Support Officer, Jennifer Plunkett, called by to welcome the couple to Arrochar. John and Jennifer brought them up to speed with what the Friends do and Brenda was amazed to learn that all the bins lining the A82 were supplied and serviced by the Friends with support from local businesses and the Hannah Stirling Trust Fund. She had taken it for granted they were supplied by the Council or maybe the National Park.

“Jennifer and I had made the call hoping to recruit Brenda as a Friends business supporter and truth to tell Brenda was very interested”, said John.

Brenda’s take on it is, “Being a Rotarian, you just ask people to put aside past negative experiences and move forward. Be a perpetually positive person and somehow it will get done.” She said she knew if she wanted to see change, it was time to live the Rotarian “Service above self” motto.

Brenda is determined to find ways to improve life in the area and enhance its beauty and won’t listen to what she refers to as “negativism”.

She hopes that local business owners can work together to find answers to the community’s problems. As good as her word, Brenda has already taken steps to promote the formation of an informal local business council. “Joining the Friends as a business supporter was an obvious and easy step for us to take”, said Brenda.

George McCallum, a local in Succoth, who works for Independent Glass Ltd has generously donated over 40 planters for local businesses to enhance the beauty of the villages and many have painted the boxes and planted beautiful flowers.

Visitors to Fascadail can enjoy spectacular views

LOMOND BANKS PLANNING APPLICATION TO BE DETERMINED SOON

West Dunbartonshire Council has said it has no objections to the Lomond Banks planning application, subject to recommended works to improve the Ballochloan roundabout. This is the Flamingoland proposal to erect and operate a mixed-use tourism and leisure development in the area West Riverside and Woodbank House areas on the northern fringes of Balloch.

The original planning application for this £40million investment was submitted in May 2022, with revised plans (which took account of further community feedback) being lodged in February 2023. Since then, a number of updated reports have been lodged with Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park and these are available for the public to view on their planning portal. They include:

• An updated peak summer traffic count and assessment

• Updated Flood Risk Assessment and Information Note on Policy 22a/Brownfield land designation

• Lomond Promise – Universal Voluntary Undertaking (UVU)

• Signed letters of undertaking by Flamingoland and Transport Scotland with regards to Stoneymollan roundabout improvements

• An ecology re-validation survey.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the National Park are being pressed to make a decision on the categorisation of West Riverside in order for matters to move forward in this area.

After two years, Lomond Banks say they now believe they have addressed all issues that have been raised and are hopeful that the application can now progress to being considered by the National Park’s Planning & Access Committee.

FRIENDS VIEW

As an independent charity which focusses on protecting and promoting the special qualities of the National Park, the Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs wishes to reiterate its support for the plans submitted by this developer covering the formerly mainly industrial site to the north of Balloch and the west of the River Leven which has long been zoned for recreational and tourism development.

Contrary to the misinformation being widely circulated via social media, we do not believe the development will materially damage or threaten the existing established or ancient woodland on the site, nor do we find there is any reliable evidence it will in any way threaten or damage the character or economy of Balloch or the wider special qualities of Loch Lomond or the National Park.

On the contrary, we believe the proposed accommodation and recreational facilities will benefit Balloch and the wider area in terms of increased economic activity and jobs, both on site and throughout the area. We are also of the firm conviction it will help secure the future of the paddle steamer Maid of the Loch, which we consider to be a valuable heritage feature at this end of the loch and which, given sufficient funding and encouragement, has the potential to once again become the backbone of the mass (car free) transport system which so successfully operated the length and breadth of the loch from the middle of the 19th century up to the middle of the 20th century. We therefore perceive that the Lomond Banks development should be welcomed on the basis that it can be a part of the solution to the National Park’s car borne visitor management issues. We also believe the development offers excellent potential to contribute towards the National Park’s educational efforts aimed at raising awareness and understanding of issues around the importance of looking after our environment.

While it is not part of the current application, we would also encourage the developer and planners to consider the various mutual benefits which would accrue from the inclusion in the scheme of a pedestrian bridge across the River Leven linking the Balloch Pier area directly to Balloch Park (high enough of course for the passage of cruise vessels).

Lomond Banks Consultation

• CAMERON HOUSE

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• LUSS ESTATES

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• CRUISE LOCH LOMOND

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• THE WINNOCK HOTEL

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• SWEENEY’S CRUISES

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• BALMILLIG B & B

64B Colquhoun St, Helensburgh, G84 9JP Tel: 01436 674 922 email: anne@balmillig.co.uk www.balmillig.co.uk

Superb 4 star accommodation minutes from the National Park’s southern edge. An environmentally committed

• PAUL SAUNDERS PHOTOGRAPHY

7 Gartness Court Drymen, Glasgow G63 0AX Tel: 01360 661029 www.paulsaundersphotography.com

• DELI ECOSSE

Ancaster Square, Callander FK17 8ED. Tel: 01877 331220 www.deliecosse.co.uk

• COTTAGES AND CASTLES

Tel: 01738 503601 holidaycottages.co.uk

• MAID OF THE LOCH

The Pier, Pier Road, Balloch G83 8QX Tel: 01389 711865 www.maidoftheloch.com

• LOCH LOMOND GIFT HOUSE Balloch Road, Balloch G83 8LQ Tel: 01389753437 www.lochlomondgifthouse.com

business also offering bespoke guided tours – day walking and mountain guiding.

• CALLANDER ENTERPRISE email: cal-ent@incallander.co.uk www.twitter.com/incallander www.incallander.co.uk

Callander Enterprise is dynamic business group with ambitious objectives to benefit the entire business community in the area. The 200+ members cover the largest settlement within the National Park

• LOCH LOMOND SEAPLANES PO Box 26613, Helensburgh G84 9YG Tel 01436675030 info@lochlomodseaplanes.com

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• FASCADAIL COUNTRY GUESTHOUSE Church Road, Arrochar G83 7AB. Tel 07902 055774 www.fascadail.com

If you would like to become a Friends supporter, please contact us today... FRIENDS OF LOCH LOMOND AND THE TROSSACHS, Carrochan, Carrochan Road, Balloch G83 8EG Telephone: 01389 727761

Email: info@lochlomondtrossachs.org.uk

STEAMSHIP CRUISES ON LOCH KATRINE

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