VOLUNTEERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE

The dreich weather didn’t dampen the spirits of the 17 volunteers who participated in the first in a series three Make a Difference Days this year, coordinated by the Friends with support from the National Park. The event took place on 29 March at the busy Trossachs Pier visitor hub at Loch Katrine. The volunteers worked on various tasks such as painting posts and rails along the restored covered pier walkway, helping clear the decks of the restored historic Steamship Sir Walter Scott in preparation for the return of sailings this season and tackling the removal of rhododendrons on the hillsides beside the large car park.

Volunteers from Terrenus Land & Water Ltd and Scottish Water joined forces with staff and volunteers from the Friends and the National Park Authority. Breakfast rolls and lunch were kindly provided by the Steamship Trust and everyone appreciated the short cruise on Loch Katrine after lunch, before recommencing painting, tidying and wrestling with rhododendrons.

There was great feedback from the volunteers, including the following from Iain Hughes, Scottish Water Project Manager: “It was a great day yesterday, a good turn out and effort by the volunteers, probably one of my most memorable days with Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs to date. Keep me posted as to future events, thanks.”

John Urquhart, Vice-Chair of the Friends, who helps deliver these events, said: “We had a brilliant day with such enthusiastic volunteers who were all very keen to make a difference and we greatly appreciate their efforts and support.”

Other volunteer Make a Difference Days are planned for the Loch Lomond Islands towards the end of June and at Balmaha at the end of September. Details of these events will be published on our website and Facebook page nearer the time.

Loch Views Protected

With support from the Hannah Stirling Loch Lomond Trust and the Friends of OUR Park visitor giving scheme further work has recently been completed on clearing shrubs and small trees to maintain open views of Loch Lomond and Ben Lomond between Luss and Tarbet on stretches of the busy A82 and the adjacent cycle and footpath for the enjoyment of visitors. Most of this work has been undertaken by a local contractor and Transport Scotland has also stepped in to re-open views of the loch from the elevated long layby and viewpoint next to the northbound layby near Luss. Some other trees have been removed due an outbreak of ash disease which is affecting the western part of the National Park.