LOCHABER: A national park in all but name?

Lochaber National Park Working Group

As we all know, at this time of year Lochaber is overwhelmed with visitors. Traffic grinds to a halt on the clogged roads, the glens, lochs and coastal beaches are crowded with campervans and tents, bins overflow, rubbish is scattered far and wide for locals and seasonal rangers to clear up and businesses struggle to recruit and maintain staff due to the housing shortage as ever more homes are turned into short-term let properties.

Is there a way to help Lochaber deal with these problems?

– we think so. The Scottish Government has committed to creating at least one new national park by 2026 and is asking communities across Scotland to consider whether their area could be designated as the country’s next national park. Following a public consultation last year, the process has now started to identify the location for Scotland’s third national park.

Scotland currently has two national parks: The Cairngorms and Loch Lomond and The Trossachs national parks, which play an important role in tackling the biodiversity and climate crises, while supporting communities, businesses and visitors. The parks are managed by park authorities and are supported by government and grant funding, enabling the development of long-term projects to tackle problems including those mentioned above, support communities and restore the environment.

Lochaber has been considered as a potential location for a national park for more than 70 years - and with good reason.

We have the highest mountain in the UK, spectacular mountain and coastal scenery, Atlantic rainforest and ancient Caledonian pine forest, complex geology and a long cultural history. More than 1,600 square kilometres of Lochaber already lies within National Scenic Areas. Millions of people visit Lochaber every year, so we also experience all the visitor pressures of a national park, but we do not have the resources available to a national park to manage them. A local national park working group has been established to develop a bid for Lochaber.

The first phase of the process involves local consultation and preparation of a bid proposing and justifying Lochaber as a candidate area. At this stage, a park boundary does not need to be identified. If short-listed, the second phase will involve widespread community consultation to determine park priorities, boundaries and management structure.

A national park in Lochaber will play a vital role in securing a more sustainable future for the area, helping to maximise the benefits that can be provided for local people, nature and climate.

You can find out more about the Lochaber national park bid, including information about consultation events and a survey link, at https:// nationalparkforlochaber. blogspot.com

1930 – 2023

(Kinlochleven)

Peacefully, with her family by her side in the Telford Centre, Fort Augustus, on Tuesday 1st August 2023, May Rosie, aged 93 years, Kinlochleven. A devoted wife to the late Johnnie, a loving mum to Ann, Joan and John, a wonderful granny and great granny (Granny Kinloch), a caring sister to Pat and the late Jenny, and a friend to so many. Forever loved and missed.

1966 – 2023

(Fort William)

Sadly, but peacefully at home, after a short illness, on Thursday 6th July 2023, Louie John Jordan, aged 56 years, Lochaber Road, Upper Achintore, Fort William, labourer with TSL. A loving dad to Ben, a treasured son to Jim and the late Nan, a loving brother to Jim and Stewart and brother-inlaw to Pauline, a much loved uncle to Liam, Ellie and Kieran, a dear relative and a good friend to many. RIP.

1933 – 2023

(Inverlochy)

Peacefully, with her loving family by her side, on Saturday 29th July 2023, Cathie McPhee, aged 90 years, Inverlochy, Fort William. A devoted wife to the late Alistair, a loving mum, a wonderful gran and great gran, a much loved sister and a friend to so many. Sadly missed.

1975 – 2023

(Ballachulish)

Peacefully, in the loving care of Abbeyfield Care Home, Ballachulish, on Friday 7th July 2023, Katy Margaret Mackin, aged 48 years, Park Road, Ballachulish. A loving wife to John, a treasured mum to Kerr and Janey, a caring sister to Allan, a much loved sister-in-law, relative and a good friend to many. So greatly loved and missed.

10 Battlefield Crescent, Inverlochy, Fort William PH33 6NB

Tel (24 Hour): 01397 701110 www.mansonandmacbeath.co.uk

1933 – 2023

(Fort William)

Peacefully in her sleep, in the care of Moss Park Care Home, Fort William, on Tuesday 11th July 2023, Mary Lorimer Hogg, aged 90 years. A loving mum to George, Margaret, Grace, Isabel, Peter and David, a much loved motherin-law, granny, great granny, aunt and friend. So greatly missed.

LAWRIE – GEORGE

1935 – 2023

(Mallaig)

Peacefully, in the care of the Belford Hospital, Fort William, on Saturday 8th July 2023, George Lawrie BEM (British Empire Medal), aged 88 years, Cameron Avenue, Mallaig. Beloved husband of the late Jessie Alice, a loving father to June and Jeff and father-inlaw to Alan and Shona, a wonderful grandfather to Jeff, Ian, Cameron, Aimee-Marie, Alan and Laura, a much loved relative, neighbour and a good friend to many. Sadly missed.

MACDONALD –ELIZABETH

1936 – 2023

(Roy Bridge)

Sadly, in the care of Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, on Tuesday 18th July 2023, Elizabeth Mary MacDonald (Liz), aged 86 years, Mulroy Terrace, Roy Bridge. A loving wife to the late Donald, a much loved mum to Helen, John, Kirsteen and Catherine and mother-in-law to Midgie, Sam and Ali, a wonderful granny to Seonaidh, Freya, Donald and Cara, a caring sister, aunt and a good friend to many. RIP.

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.

MACBETH – SANDY

1950 – 2023

(Fort William)

Peacefully, in the loving care of Moss Park Care Home, Fort William, on Thursday 6th July 2023, Alexander Charles MacBeth, known to all as Sandy, aged 73 years, formerly of Linnhe Road, Middle Street, Fort William, former Bricklayers’ Labourer for over 50 years locally in Lochaber. A much loved relative and a good friend to many. Fondly remembered.

KENNEDY – CATHERINE

1948 – 2023

(Fort William)

Sadly, but peacefully with her loving family by her side, on Sunday 23rd July 2023, Catherine Kennedy known to all as Cathie, aged 74 years, Camanachd Crescent, An Aird, Fort William. A devoted wife to Billy, a loving mum to Donald and Eileen, a wonderful nana to Jack, Josh and Gracie, a caring sister to Ian, a much loved auntie and a good friend to many. Forever loved and missed.

1930 – 2023

(Inverlochy)

Sadly, but peacefully with his loving family by his side, on Tuesday 11th July 2023, Robert Lucas, known to all as Bob, aged 93 years, Wades Road, Inverlochy, Fort William. Beloved husband to the late Kathleen, a treasured dad to Robert, Pauline and the late Mary Margaret and father-in-law to Barbara and Alistair, a wonderful granda to Rachel, Alistair, Kerri, Robert and Stuart and a proud great granda to Reece, Lola, Orla, Nieve, Ronnie and Joey, a much loved uncle, great uncle and a caring neighbour and good friend to many. RIP.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.