High concentrations of blue-green algae have been found in Loch Lomond.

Algal scum can be harmful to health due to toxins released into the water.

As a precaution for you your children and your animals avoid contact with the scum and the water close to it.

• No bathing
  
• No paddling
• No fishing
• No dogs in, or drinking from the water
• keep boats well away from the scum
• wind surfing, canoeing, jet skiing, water skiing or other immersion sports that may lead to skin contact or drinking or water are not advisable.

Notice issued by:

Environmental Health Section

West Dunbartonshire Council

Roseberry Place

Clydebank

G81 1TG

For further information telephone 01389 738290

Please note that SSE Ltd will be undertaking essential line maintenance works along the section of National Cycle Route 7 between Rob Roy Hotel and Aberfoyle Car Park between Wed 1 Octoberand Fri 3 October. 

Public access will remain open whilst works are undertaken, however please follow any on-site safety guidance and be prepared for minor delays.  All efforts will be taken to minimise any inconvenience.

Please direct any queries regarding the above works to John McQueen, LLTNPA Estates Manager on 01389 722026.

27 November 2014

Unique community-led skills initiative in National Park aims to retain rural workforce

Recently, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park has seen unprecedented growth in diversification on farms and land-based businesses, often in response to the thriving renewable energy, tourism and food/drink markets. However, the successful future of many of these land-based businesses in the National Park, particularly agriculture, will rely on access to a skilled, local workforce. Unfortunately, the outward migration of young people from the region, a trend which affects many rural areas in Scotland, is threatening the future growth and prosperity of these vital industries.

According to research undertaken by Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park (LLTNP) Community Partnership in 2012, the area has an ageing population, with an 8.1% decrease in the number of younger people living there over the last 20 years. Part of the problem is that younger people, particularly those between the ages of 16 and 24, are finding it increasingly difficult to access local training and employment opportunities.

In response, funded by the Forth Valley & Lomond European LEADER programme, the Community Partnership is running a number of community led initiatives that help support and enhance training and employment opportunities within the National Park and encourage young people to live and work within their local communities.

The most recent initiative, ‘Rural Skills Week’, was hosted by Luss Estates, a major employer in the region, and took place from 17 to 21 November.

This five-day programme of skills workshops covered all aspects of estate management, from fencing and environmental conservation to woodland planting, sheep farming, dry stone dyking and agricultural engineering.

The skills courses were supported by Historic Scotland, Lantra Scotland, Luss Estates, the Dry Stone Walling Association, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, The Countryside Trust, Skills Development Scotland (SDS), Fraser C. Robb, and Scotland’s Rural Colleges (SRUC) who presented a unique insight into what it takes to work on a rural estate. At the end of the week, one of the six young people who took part in the event got the chance of an interview with Luss Estates for a Modern Apprenticeship in Agriculture.

The event was designed specifically to get a small group of young, unemployed people from the region interested in rural skills and to demonstrate the variety of career options available to them. Although this is a first for Luss Estates, the LLTNP Community Partnership hope that this unique employer-led partnership approach to promoting skills opportunities could act as a template for other areas and sectors, once an evaluation of the model is undertaken.

Tom Wallace, Development Manager of the LLTNP Community Partnership comments:

“This is one of what we hope will be many initiatives to encourage young people to live and seek employment within Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. We are very grateful to Luss Estates, Forth Valley & Lomond LEADER and our many partners and advisors who have worked tirelessly to give these young people a taste of life working on a rural estate. I think this is a great example of how community partners can work effectively together to help young people get into work, and we’d like to see this model adopted in other rural areas. We hope that the six young people attending our Skills Week Programme will take away positive experiences, and that it will help them decide which career path is for them. We also hope that it has demonstrated the sheer scale and variety of career opportunities in the region, and the benefits of living and working locally. ”

Iain Wilkinson, Rural Business Manager at Luss Estates Company:

“Informing young people about rural career opportunities is an essential step towards ensuring employers have access to young and enthusiastic individuals, both to preserve rural skills and ensure there are adequate resources to preserve and build our natural heritage. This Rural Skills Week at Luss Estates has given the participants a unique taster of the variety of roles within estate management.  It was clear there was limited understanding of the job opportunities at first, but we hope that following the event, everyone involved has gained a better understanding of potential rural employment paths and the steps required to succeed.” 

Ronnie Campbell, one of the young trainees, commented:

“This week’s been a real eye opener for us all - and very inspiring. I never realised there were so many different types of jobs on an estate like this. Most young people I know just think they have to move away to get the kind of training and experience they need to get a job, but this week has shown that there are great opportunities right here.”

-ENDS-

For further information contact :

Nancy McLardie

PR & Media Manager, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park  

Tel: 01389 722016

Mobile: 07834 334108

e-mail: nancy.mclardie@lochlomond-trossachs.org

A volunteer at Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park has won volunteer of the year in the UK National Parks Volunteer Awards, which highlight the incredible contribution by individuals and volunteer groups to the betterment of Britain's breathing spaces.

Stuart Crawford has served Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park since 2009 and is renowned for his dedication, last year putting in roughly 100 days of volunteer service. His willingness to tackle any task has won him praise from his fellow volunteers, the public and National Park staff.

The awards are held annually and this year's judging panel comprised television presenter and outdoor enthusiast Helen Skelton, TV presenter Julia Bradbury, National Parks UK Director Kathryn Cook, and Simon Vingoe UK marketing manager of National Parks brand partner Merrell.

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority Chief Executive, Fiona Logan said: “I am delighted that Stuart has been awarded Volunteer of the Year. He is an asset to the National Park and has delivered a huge amount of volunteering since he started with us in 2009. Stuart is reliable and always goes above and beyond to help others. His dedication is nothing short of inspiring.”

National Parks UK Director Kathryn Cook, commented: "Stuart stood out because of his admirable passion, enthusiasm, and commitment. I was also impressed by his dedication to sustainable travel. In spite of the fact he doesn’t drive, he volunteers in all corners of one of the largest National Parks in the UK."

Stuart’s enthusiasm shines in a number of volunteer duties including helping visitors to enjoy the National Park; supporting work with schools; mentoring new volunteers; maintenance of National Park infrastructure through activities including path building, fencing and ditching as well as contributing to biodiversity work - such as undertaking red squirrel and bat surveys - and working with partners to enhance the environment.

Stuart is the only volunteer of the four prize-winners to come from a Scottish National Park. The others are:

• Young Volunteer of the Year: Jerome Bass, Northumberland National Park (CNP Mosaic Project)
• Volunteer Group of the Year: Nancy Oldfield Trust, The Broads
• Volunteer Project of the Year: Kirknewton Archaeology and Walking Festival, Northumberland National Park   

The group and project winners each received a £1,000 bursary to help ensure future volunteer activity. The two individual winners received outdoor gear from Merrell. The UK National Parks volunteer awards are supported by Merrell. The UK National Parks volunteer awards are supported by Merrell, Natural Resources Wales and Natural England.    

Members of Callander Community Development Trust today joined with supporters from the public, private and third sectors as well as local volunteers to launch Callander Community Hydro Ltd. – a pioneering, renewable energy scheme now operating at Stank Glen, just north of the picturesque town.

In 2008, members of the Development Trust conceived the idea of a hydro electric scheme to generate income for community projects. With input from project managers, consultants, planners, funders and volunteers, the Trust successfully applied to Forestry Commission Scotland’s ‘National Forest Land Scheme’ to lease the site where the project has been brought to fruition, creating a text-book example that other communities may wish to follow.   

Callander Community Hydro Ltd. is one of the first community-led hydro schemes in Scotland, with the majority in existence led by developers.  

Callander is within Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park and the project has benefitted from the Park Authority’s proactive stance on micro-hydro schemes, including “ground-breaking” ¹Supplementary Planning Guidance for Renewable Energy formally introduced in 2013 to best coordinate with complex feed-in tariffs.

This approach, including advice on best practice and a step-by-step guide on how to design schemes that are sympathetic to the area’s sensitive landscape, has resulted in approval of 36 ‘run-of-river’ hydro applications by the National Park, 11 of which are now operational.

Run-of-river schemes are at the forefront of renewable energy technologies, using conventional hydropower technology to produce electricity by diverting river flow through turbines that spin generators - before returning water back to the river downstream.        

Callander Community Hydro Project was established in 2008, drawing on the drive, expertise and commitment of local volunteers to bring the Development Trust’s vision to life.

A core, four person project team was established comprising Frank Park, owner of The Lade Inn & Scottish Real Ale Shop; retired Director of British Rail Scotland, Paul Prescott; Robert Allen, IT consultant in the renewable energy sector and retired Centrica Programme Manager, Susan King, supported by many members of the local community.

The scheme also attracted a £1.65m funding package including commercial borrowing from lead social investor Triodos Bank, the Scottish Investment Bank (Renewable Energy Investment Fund) and Social Investment Scotland, as well as a grant from the Scottish Government and EU Leader Grant funding, which helped cover the cost of project management and professional advisers.              

Speaking at the launch today, Frank Park, who is also chair of both Callander Community Development Trust and Callander Community Hydro Ltd., said:

“The community has travelled a long road to get to where we are, but I think we can all be exceptionally proud of what we have achieved and the legacy we are leaving for the future.” 

Callander Community Hydro Ltd. will generate 1.3 – 1.4 Gigawatt hours per year, all of which will be exported to the national grid through the Feed-In Tariffs scheme.

Profits from the scheme will be gift aided to the Callander Community Development Trust to be invested in community projects. Over the first few years, loans will have to be repaid. However,  the amount available to projects will increase as loans reduce with an anticipated £3m investment over 20 years.          

Fiona Logan, chief executive of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, who officially opened the turbine house, said:

“One of the Park’s main aims is to support local communities in order to sustain thriving local economies. As the largest town in the Park, Callander is particularly proactive in coming forward with ideas and this one pushed the boundaries with a number of firsts.   

“The project is the first community-led hydro scheme in the Park and the first community hydro scheme to be built on Forestry Commission Scotland land. As such we had to develop a very specific planning response, which informed Park policies on embracing renewable energy schemes as a whole.” 

“I warmly congratulate everyone who has been involved and look forward to the day when the Callander community can reap the rewards.”                                           

The scheme will be operated and maintained by volunteers from the local community.    

Ends           

For further information, please contact Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park PR & Media Manager, Nancy McLardie, on 01389 722016; mobile 07834 334108 or at nancy.mclardie@lochlomond-trossachs.org. Or Frank Park on 01877 330152; mobile 07798 521591, or at frank@theladeinn.com  

Note to Editors

¹Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority’s Supplementary Planning Guidance for Renewable Energy was last night (November 5) commended in the Development Plans category at the Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/planning/SAQP  

The guide may be viewed at images/stories/Planning/PDF/LocalPlan/SPG/SPG-Renewables-final.pdf

Further details of the Callander Community Hydro Project are available at http://www.callandercdt.org.uk/proj-hydro.html 

Forestry Commission Scotland’s National Forest Land Scheme gives community organisations, recognised non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and/or appropriate housing bodies the opportunity to buy or lease National Forest Land where they can provide increased public benefits. http://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/supporting/strategy-policy-guidance/communities/national-forest-land-scheme-nfls 

The following organisations were appointed by the community to manage and construct the project:

Callander Community Hydro Ltd.: Frank Park, Paul Prescott, Robert Allen and Susan King

Project Management  : Susan Clark - Great Glen Consulting

Technical Consultant/Advisors : Greencat Renewables

Planning Application Consultants : MNV Consulting

Main contractor : Highland Waterworks

Turbine manufacturer : Gilkes

QS : Brownriggs

Legal Advisor  : bto

Financial Advisors  : French Duncan

Insurance Advisors  : Bruce Stevenson

Technical details:

•  Turbine                        : GILKES Horizontal Twin Jet Pelton turbine 450kW

•  Penstock                     : 800m

•  Head                           : 150 metres

•  Energy generation      : 1.3199 Gwh/year

•  Income                        : ~ £280k from 2015 before financing and operating costs

The pontoons at Luss have been removed for the winter and will be re-instated prior to the 2015 summer season.

12 November 2014

Stuart Mearns is celebrating two career successes in one week.

The 38 year-old from Stirling has just been appointed as head of rural development and planning at Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority and was joined by the Park’s director of operations, Gordon Watson, and ecologist Gwenda Diack (not pictured) in receiving recognition from the Scottish Government for “ground-breaking” planning guidance in Edinburgh last week.

The National Park’s Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) for Renewable Energy was commended in the Development Plans category at the Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning, which is one of the Scottish Government's most prestigious events and celebrate achievements in planning, from strategic visions to development on the ground.

Though formally introduced in 2013, the National Park’s SPG for Renewable Energy has been in development since 2011 and represents a significant undertaking by Park planners in conjunction with a range of partners, which has resulted in approval of 36 renewable energy schemes by the National Park, 11 of which are now operational.

The guidance supports the National Park’s strategy to support small scale renewable energy development; deliver efficiencies in processing applications and demonstrate to communities and landowners what can be achieved.          

Stuart said:

“This is fantastic recognition of all the hard work that went into the development of our guidance for Renewable Energy by a number of staff.

“Renewable energy represents a significant opportunity for the Park’s rural economy, so we worked with partners to provide comprehensive guidance that would not only allow communities to benefit but also fulfils our responsibilities to protecting the Park’s sensitive landscape.

“I am delighted that the judges decided this was done to an exceptionally high standard and would like to thank everyone involved.”

Stuart was appointed to the role of head of rural development and planning after a three-month competitive search.

He is a graduate of Strathclyde University and has been working as a Chartered Town & Country Planner for both planning authorities and government agencies for the past 14 years.

He joined Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority as forward planning manager in 2009 and has played a key role in the development of planning policy that supports the Park’s responsibilities for rural development, conservation and visitor experience.

Prior to working for the National Park, Stuart worked for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Hawkes’ Bay Regional Council in New Zealand and The Highland Council.        

He lives in Stirling with his wife and two children.                 

Ends

For further information, please contact Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park PR & Media Manager, Nancy McLardie, on 01389 722016; mobile 07834 334108 or at nancy.mclardie@lochlomond-trossachs.org.

Note to Editors 

Photo caption: Left to right Stuart Mearns and Gordon Watson receive the commendation from Derek Mackay, Minister for Local Government and Planning.     

The Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning are now in their 15^th year. For details of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority’s submission, visit http://scotgovplanningarchitecture.com/2014/08/07/lltnpa-renewable-energy/

Sharing the National Park’s success in the Development Plans category are ‘Edinburgh Design Guidance’ and ‘Aberdeen City Council’s Strategic Infrastructure Plan’ who were joint winners, and ‘East Renfrewshire Council’s Local Development Plan for Malletsheugh/Maidenhill/Newton Mearns’ and ‘Listed Buildings and the Orkney Local List Supplementary Guidance’, which were also commended.     

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority’s Supplementary Planning Guidance for Renewable Energy may be viewed at images/stories/Planning/PDF/LocalPlan/SPG/SPG-Renewables-final.pdf
The guidance features a step-by-step guide on how to design renewable energy schemes that are sympathetic to the area’s sensitive, natural environment.

The combined capacity of the 11 renewable energy schemes that are currently operational in the National Park is 1,4443kw. They divide into six operated by farms as an additional income stream, and four operated by local Estate owners, also for income generation.

12 November

Plans for a life size statue of Scottish countryside legend Tom Weir on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, overlooking Balmaha Bay, are on target to be delivered in time for the 100^th anniversary of his birth on 29^th December later this year.

The plans have received a triple boost in the past week with the granting of planning permission from the National Park Authority; agreement to lease the site at Balmaha picnic area from owners Stirling Council; and news that the public appeal fund has reached £60,000 following a steady stream of donations as a result of the recent launch of the new ‘On Weir’s Way’ TV series and a range of fundraising activities.

Earlier this year the Tom Weir Memorial Group enlisted the support of the Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs, the independent conservation and heritage charity for the National Park, to add some momentum to the campaign and ensure the project could be realised on time through their joint efforts.

Susan Taylor, Administrator of the Tom Weir Memorial Group, and one of the main driving forces behind the campaign to honour Tom Weir, said: ‘’ I am delighted that we are making such good progress with the help of the Friends and I can sleep more easily at night now as we are within touching distance of achieving what we set out to do almost three years ago.

‘’The support we are receiving from thousands of people in Scotland and further afield is remarkable. It is testament to the high regard that Tom was held in and reflects the major impact he had in introducing generations to Scotland’s great outdoors through his adventures as a climber, naturalist, writer and broadcaster.’’

James Fraser, Chairman of the Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs added: ‘’It is great to see this project coming together so well with a tremendous amount of public goodwill and support from a variety of quarters including local businesses, the National Park Authority, Stirling Council and the local Buchanan Community Council in whose area the statue will be located.

‘’This is very much a team effort but we still have some work to do over the next 7 weeks to reach our phase 1 target of £75,000 by raising a further £15,000 to cover the cost of the statue and immediate site improvements. This will hopefully be followed next year by a £30,000 scheme to improve the rest of the Balmaha picnic area and produce educational materials to help make more of Scotland’s great outdoors through the work of the late Tom Weir who has left such a rich legacy of writings and broadcasts.’’

A small-scale model of the statue was unveiled last month to Tom’s widow, 94 year old Rhona Weir, by the sculptor Sean Hedges-Quinn who has recently completed a statue of James Herriot and is credited with creating statues of many famous football figures, including Sir Alf Ramsay and Sir Bobby Robson. This follows on from a successful career in the film industry as a model maker for blockbuster films as diverse as Harry Potter, Phantom of the Opera, Clash of the Titans and Bond’s Skyfall.

Rhona said: ‘’I am thrilled with the level of detail and likeness to Tom and I am looking forward to the life size version being sited at Balmaha Bay later this year which was one of his favourite spots on Loch Lomondside.

‘’I hope Tom’s statue will be a source of much pleasure to those who visit Loch Lomond in the future. I would like to thank the many thousands of folk who are helping to make this possible and look forward to thanking many of them personally when the statue is unveiled on 29th December.’’

Anyone who would like to donate towards raising funds for the statue project and associated picnic area improvements can do so online at visiting/tom-weir-statue-campaign/menu-id-957.html or send a cheque to Tom Weir Memorial Statue, c/o Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs, The Old Station, Balloch G83 8SS.

ENDS   Photo captions: 1. Tom’s widow Rhona Weir admires a small-scale model of the statue.  2. The full size model of the statue in the sculptor’s studio.  3. A close up profile of Tom’s head with his famous tourie hat and bobble.

Notes to editors:

1.For further information contact Susan Taylor, Administrator of the Tom Weir Memorial Group on 07882 942945 tomweirmemorial@yahoo.co.uk or James Fraser, Chairman of the Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs on 07894 908807 jamesbfraser@aol.com.

2. Tom Weir was a prolific writer and broadcaster on Scotland’s great outdoors for more than 50 years and until his death in 2006. He lived for many years with his wife, Rhona at Gartocharn at the southern end of Loch Lomond where she was Head Teacher at the local primary school.

3. Tom was best known for his popular TV series Weir’s Way which ran between 1976 and1987 and has been frequently re-run over the past 27 years. He also had a monthly feature in the Scots Magazine for around 50 years.

4. A new 8 part series ‘On Weir’s Way’ is currently being shown on Monday nights at 8pm by STV and actor David Hayman re-visits some of Scotland’s most beautiful places and contrasts this with footage with Tom more than 30 years ago.

5. Tom was the recipient of many prestigious awards including the Lifetime Achievement Eagle Award from the British Outdoor Guild of Travel Writers. He was also the first recipient of the John Muir Award for Lifetime Achievement.

6. Tom was an active campaigner for the protection of the Scottish environment and in particular his beloved Loch Lomond where he became a founding member and Honorary Vice-President of the Friends of Loch Lomond when the independent conservation body was formed in 1978.

7. The Friends has a strong membership base and is supported by a large number of individuals and companies who are passionate about caring for and celebrating the special qualities of the area.

8 The Friends often work in partnership with others to try and make a difference and help ensure current and future generations can enjoy Scotland's first National Park.

9. The Tom Weir Memorial Group was formed in February 2012 by a number of individuals from many walks of life who were keen to mark Tom’s great contribution to enriching the lives of several generations of Scots by introducing them to the wonders of Scotland’s great outdoors. See http://www.facebook.com/tomweirmemorial

10. For more background information on sculptor Sean Quinn-Hedges and examples of his work see http://www.seanhedgesquinn.co.uk

The National Park offices have the following operating hours over the festive season.

We are operating with a smaller staff during this time. For any emergency enquiries please see the contact details below.

Normal opening hours resume on the 5^th of January 2015.

We would like to take this opportunity to wish you all the best for the season.

Emergency contact

Find details for press and media enquiries here

Trees that are down or are about to come down on public roads

This is a matter for the police and local authority roads department as the priority is public safety.

Trees covered by Tree Preservation Orders or which are within Conservation Areas

If you are concerned that a tree is about to cause damage to life or property and requires immediate emergency action you may take action to make it safe, it is your responsibility to get a reputable contractor to do this. However they should take photographs of the tree before works take place and notify us immediately followed by notification in writing including pictures of damage and contractor details.

22 December 2014

SCOTLAND’S FIRST NATIONAL PARK APPOINTS NEW CEO

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority is pleased to announce the appointment of Gordon Watson as its new Chief Executive following the announcement in October that Fiona Logan is moving to a position in the private sector.

Gordon is currently the National Park’s Director of Operations. The appointment comes with responsibility for a team of 142 people working across conservation, visitor experience and rural development.     

Gordon brings a wealth of National Park experience and knowledge from his current role to help him lead the work of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority and coordinate successful delivery of an ambitious National Park Partnership Plan. 

Between 1999 and 2002, he was instrumental in establishing Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, including as a new planning authority. He subsequently developed the planning function into a delivery focused operation using innovative approaches and partnership working to attract high quality and sustainable development to the National Park.  

Linda McKay, Convenor of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority, said: “Gordon has championed our National Park since its inception in 2002 and has achieved national recognition for his outstanding work on planning and sustainable development.

“He has established great relationships with our communities, local businesses and partners and is really well placed to lead on the delivery of Scotland's aspirations for world class National Parks.”

The Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, Dr Aileen McLeod, said: “I was very pleased to approve the appointment of Gordon Watson as Chief Executive of the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority. I look forward to working with him as the Park Authority and its many partners continue to take forward the Park's Partnership Plan and to deliver a wide range of outcomes on conservation, visitor experience and rural development.

“I also want to pay tribute to the excellent leadership which Fiona Logan has provided to the Park Authority over the past six years and I wish her every success in the future.”

Gordon Watson said: “I am proud and honoured to be succeeding Fiona Logan in leading the fantastic, dedicated team here at Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. We have achieved a great deal over the past 12 years, but there is still important work to do to continue to protect and enhance this special place, dear to me and to the millions of people who love to spend time here.

 “My focus is on ensuring we continue our momentum, working hard, alongside partners, to look after the Park, support our communities and businesses, and deliver a wide range of benefits for Scotland."

Gordon will take up his post in January.  He lives locally, in the village of Gartocharn, with his wife and two daughters.     

- ENDS -

Seasonal Rangers

Fixed Term Contracts                                                                              

Band A1 - £15,346 per annum, pro rata

Ref: LLTNPA\Seasonal/2015/01

Evening and weekend working required

Are you looking for an exciting and rewarding opportunity to work in one of the most beautiful and scenic landscapes in the world?

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park covers over 720 square miles of Scotland’s finest countryside which welcomes over 4 million visitors each year. From the stunning sea lochs and rugged coastline through the majestic glens and breathtaking Loch & Ben Lomond Scotland’s first National Park truly is a magical place.

We are looking for individuals who have excellent people skills, are enthusiastic about the outdoors and passionate about the countryside to join our team of Rangers.

We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate the following:

·         Excellent communication interpersonal skills

·         A positive and flexible attitude.

·         Experience of visitor management or work in a customer focused role.

·         Knowledge of and interest in the environment and countryside issues

What we can offer:

·         A fantastic working environment in a spectacular landscape.

·         The opportunity to work with one of the largest professional Ranger Teams in the UK.

·         A range of learning & development opportunities.

We have a variety of contracts on offer including; Visitor Management, Slipway Visitor Centre, Maintenance and Bank Staff

Fixed term contracts up to 37 hours per week will be available starting in April, May or June and finishing no later than the end of October 2015.

Please indicate your preferred role and hours, if all state all. The supporting statement on your application should be no more than 300 words.

Job Descriptions:

Seasonal Ranger

Seasonal Ranger Maintenance

Supplementary Information

Application Form (Microsoft Word file)

Equality & Diversity Monitoring form (Microsoft Word file)

Application packs are also available from:

Closing Date: 20 January 2015

Interview will take place between 17- 28 February 2015

(when applying please ensure that you are available for interview on these dates as no alterative can be sought)

Band A

£15,112 - £19,834 pro rata

Working Hours: 10am – 2pm, 5 days per week (20 hours per week)

Slight variations of the times above will be considered.

National Park Headquarters, Balloch

As one of the most idyllic locations in the world, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is also an incredible place to work. With its stunning scenery, amazing array of activities, not to mention the fantastic work carried out by the National Park Authority.

We are looking for an experienced finance assistant to join our small finance team.

·         Coding of income and costs

·         Invoice processing and approval

·         Purchase order processing and approval

·         Creation of new supplier records

You’ll also deal with enquiries both internal and external by phone and email.

You’ll have exceptional organisational skills and a sharp eye for detail. Discretion and confidentiality come naturally to you, and you’ll have experience of data handling, including high volume processing. It would be useful if you bring experience of working in the public sector however this is not essential.

If you would like the chance to work on some fantastic projects - and enjoy some spectacular views on your journey, for more information contact recruitment@lochlomond-trossachs.org and an application form quoting Ref: LLTNP/Jan/02

Job Description

Closing date is: 23^rd January 2015

9 January 2015

Please note, due to the current weather conditions there are high water levels on Loch Lomond. If the water levels continue to rise it will not be possible to use the launch facilities at Duncan Mills Memorial Slipway in Balloch or Milarrochy Bay, East Loch Lomond.

If you are planning on launching your boat this weekend, please check with National Park Rangers if the slipways are open:

Duncan Mills Memorial Slipway
Tel: 01389 722030

Milarrochy Bay
Tel: 01389 722671

12 January 2015

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority statement on Your Park consultation

The debate sparked over the weekend on the Your Park consultation has shown that there are strongly held views on all sides and the deadline for the end of the public consultation is midnight Monday 12 January 2015.

Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority has a statutory responsibility for striking a balance between conservation, rural development and visitor experience in one of Scotland’s most sensitive and visited landscapes.

The Your Park consultation has been actively encouraging all who live in and use the Park to offer their views on the proposals to introduce a new suite of measures, including camping provision and camping byelaws to some hot spots around the Park, in order to help ease the environmental damage and reduce the antisocial behaviour of some irresponsible campers.

The formal consultation on the Your Park proposals to introduce a package of measures similar to east Loch Lomond, which, in total, will affect less than 5% of the National Park where camping pressures are worst, was launched on October 13 and runs until midnight on Monday, January 12.

In the 12 years since the National Park was established, its work has focussed on the fine line between promoting access and enjoyment and protecting the environment and the communities that live and work in what is by far the busiest areas of countryside in Scotland during summer months.

In response to some misleading statements which have appeared in media in the last few days.

Gordon Watson, Director of Operations at Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park who takes up the post of Chief Executive next week, has published a blog. He said;

“We understand that there is strong feeling on the part of outdoors enthusiasts about their ‘right to roam’. However, some of the arguments presented seem intent on downplaying the atrocious damage that is being caused to the environment of a National Park, as well as the impact on residents and visitors. Enforcement of existing law already happens with significant resources going into Operation Ironworks police enforcement, but this is not deterring the problems as byelaws have done on east Loch Lomond.

“The many residents and visitors affected by these problems are impatient for action and rightly expect us to come up with effective solutions. The National Park (Scotland) Act 2000 gives us byelaw-making powers for a reason; we are expected to protect the environment from damaging overuse and abuse. The package of measures we are proposing combines investing in more informal low cost camping facilities, continuing education initiatives as well as introducing controls on the amount of camping.

“The Your Park proposals which are out to public consultation currently build on the successful measures introduced at east Loch Lomond and, again, have been the subject of widespread, informal consultation with local partners, national bodies, outdoor recreation organisations, public and private landowners, local communities and businesses.

“The assertion that the byelaws haven’t worked and that the figure of 81% reduction in antisocial behaviour (asb) crimes is inaccurate, is based on (now retired) Kevin Findlater’s personal response to the consultation which has been taken at face value.

“As Chief Inspector responsible for policing in the Park when the byelaws at east Loch Lomond were introduced, Kevin Findlater supported their introduction and furthermore produced the figure of 81.5%, which featured in Central Scotland Police’s Operation Ironworks evaluation report 2009-2012.”

Kevin Lilburn, local resident and chair of the East Loch Lomond Visitor Management Group adds:

"Previously we suffered some sort of incident at my home pretty much every weekend in the summer, including litter, theft, vandalism and verbal or even physical intimidation.  Since the byelaws have been introduced, there have been none.  Not one. That speaks for itself and official statistics tell a similar story.  We have gone from a situation where my neighbours and I dreaded sunny days to one in which we can relax, enjoy where we live, and happily share the area with responsibly behaved visitors.” 

Mr Findlater's views are not shared by Police Scotland, whose officers have accumulated significant experience of the issues on the ground working alongside the National Park. In a statement releases last Friday, Police Scotland Divisional Commander, Davie Flynn, said:

“We have enjoyed a longstanding positive relationship with Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park including the coordinated, successful approach we have been taking to tackle antisocial behaviour crimes, vandalism and littering at east Loch Lomond.

“Police Scotland is generally supportive of the introduction of a byelaw replicating the purpose and spirit of the existing east Loch Lomond byelaw in other parts of the National Park where visitor pressure, crime and antisocial behaviour is affecting safety, quality of life and the environment. This support extends only when implemented as part of a suite of wider measures such as those introduced from 2011 in east Loch Lomond.”

Mr Watson concludes by stating:

“Far from being cynical or shameful, it’s our daily duty, and honour, to take care of this special place, and the proposals we’ve made in Your Park, have at their heart the best interests of the Park and the people who cherish and enjoy it.

We welcome and will consider all responses fully and carefully in making our final recommendations to our Board who, in turn, will advise Scottish Government.”

Those wishing to register their views are encouraged to so by visiting http://www.thisisyourpark.org.uk before the deadline of Monday 12 January 2015.

-ENDS-

Issued by the BIG Partnership on behalf of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority.

For further information or interviews with Gordon Watson or Kevin Lilburn, please contact;

Kelly Paterson

T: 0141 333 9585 M: 07882 152 914

E: Kelly.Paterson@bigpartnership.co.uk

OR Nancy McLardie, PR and Media Manager, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park on 01389 722016 or 07834 334108. 

Notes to editors:

To view Gordon Watson’s blog addressing the main issues at play in the Your Park consultation posted yesterday evening, visit http://www.thisisyourpark.org.uk/the-real-situation-on-the-ground/

East Loch Lomond suffered most acutely. The Park Authority worked with local partners, national bodies, outdoor recreation organisations, public and private landowners, as well as local communities and businesses to try to arrive at a solution.

The Operation Ironworks initiative was the initial response, established more than seven years ago in conjunction with Central Scotland Police (now Police Scotland), to minimise and mitigate against the behaviour of those who were behaving irresponsibly.

This included investing in additional Police patrols on busy weekends and a dedicated National Park Police Officer to help coordinate this. This allows us to respond quickly to situations and to ensure prosecutions using existing laws.

The former Chief Inspector of Central Scotland Police, Kevin Findlater, presided over this, but a few years later decided in conjunction with all partners that a more rigorous approach was needed and approved the introduction of a suite of measures at east Loch Lomond including a byelaw to manage camping.

The byelaw at east Loch Lomond came into effect on June 1 2011 and by 2012, Kevin Findlater himself was celebrating its success, quoting statistics from Central Scotland Police’s ‘Operation Ironworks’ evaluation report in a letter to National Park stakeholders.

At the time Mr Findlater said:

“2012 saw the first full season of operation of byelaws on east Loch Lomond relating to public consumption of alcohol and informal camping. These continued to have the positive effect of supporting considerable investment by partners that was designed to minimise and mitigate against those that were behaving in an irresponsible manner. The area of east Loch Lomond saw a 50% reduction in calls relating to antisocial behaviour and a staggering 81.5% reduction of recorded asb [anti-social behaviour] crimes.”

There has been some comment on social media by significant commentators such as Cameron McNeish on the proposals which in places both misrepresent the Park’s intentions and the extent of the efforts to date to tackle the problems on the ground.

Full details are available at www.thisisyourpark.org.uk<http://www.thisisyourpark.org.uk> where people can also officially record their views.

Dedicated social media pages have been set up at;

www.twitter.com/yourparktweets

www.facebook.com/thisisyourpark

www.flickr.com/thisisyourpark

www.youtube.com/thisisyourpark

The National Park stretches for more than 720 square miles and features the largest stretch of inland water in Britain, Loch Lomond. 

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park was formed in 2002 and outlines four key aims in its National Partnership Plan 2012 – 2017;

·         To conserve and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of the area;

·         To promote sustainable use of the area’s natural resources;

·         To promote understanding and enjoyment – including enjoyment in the form of recreation - of the special qualities of the area;

·         To promote sustainable economic and social development of the area’s communities

22 January 2015
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority is delighted to announce that it is now officially one of the top 100 not-for-profit organisations to work for in the UK.  

The recent announcement about making it in to the 100 Best Companies list for 2015 came as a welcome surprise to staff who were told by a video message directly from Jonathan Austin, CEO of Best Companies.

‘Best Companies’ is widely acknowledged as the most extensive research into employee engagement carried out in the UK and around 800 businesses and organisations register to take part each year.

The Park Authority signed up to Best Companies in 2013 to help measure and improve employee engagement levels and last year was highlighted as ‘one to watch’.

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

“I’m delighted that Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is now recognised as one of the top 100 not-for-profit companies to work for in the UK. It is an incredible achievement and is undoubtedly down to the hard work and commitment of all our staff.”

To help celebrate the joint 15 year anniversary of Best Companies and Comic Relief, the National Park Authority is getting involved in the ‘CEO selfie’ campaign to raise funds for Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day, which takes place on Friday 13 March. To take part staff are being encouraged to take selfies, or team selfies, wearing a red nose and post their photos on Twitter. So far more than £16,000 has been raised from businesses and organisations taking part.

A further announcement will be made in February about where in the Top 100 Best Companies list Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority sits.

A vast 720 square miles of outstanding natural beauty boasting unspoilt landscapes filled with lochs, mountains, forests and glens, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is one of Scotland’s finest tourism and recreational assets and attracts millions of visitors each year.   And – if it wins win enough public votes – this precious conservation area, which was created as Scotland’s first National Park, could win the accolade of being named the UK’s finest.

In the 2014/15 BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards, which are now in their fourth year,  Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is competing in the National Park of The Year category against Cairngorms National Park and 13 other contenders including Lake District, Snowdonia and Brecon Beacons National Parks.

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

“Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is among the most visited countryside in Britain and held in great affection by people from around the globe. We encourage all our friends, visitors and followers to go onto the BBC Countryfile website and cast their vote."      

The deadline for votes for National Park of The Year and the other 11 awards categories is 31 January. Members of the public can register their votes either via the BBC Countryfile Magazine website at http://www.countryfile.com/article/garden-year-201415 , by emailing awards@countryfile.com , or by post to BBC Countryfile Magazine, Tower House, Bristol, BS1 3BN.  The winners will be announced in the April issue of BBC Countryfile Magazine.

VisitScotland Regional Director David Adams McGilp said:

“Boasting some of the most spectacular scenery in the country, and inspiring visitors to experience Scotland’s natural beauty and enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is a tremendous asset to tourism in Scotland. I hope that as many people as possible who live, work in or have enjoyed a visit to this fantastic area will show their support by voting for it to be named National Park of The Year.”

In addition to Loch Lomond & The Trossachs and Cairngorms National Parks, the finalists representing Scotland across the awards’ categories are:

·        Nature Reserve of the Year – Scottish Seabird Centre

·        Holiday Destination of the Year - Outer Hebrides

·        Landmark of the Year – The Kelpies

·        Wildlife Success Story of the Year - White Tailed Eagle, Red Squirrel

·        Nature Reserve of the Year - The Bass Rock

·        Garden of the Year - Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh

·        Beach of the Year - Eoropie, Isle of Lewis

·        Rural Pub of the Year – The Steam Packet Inn, Dumfries & Galloway

Fergus Collins, editor of BBC Countryfile Magazine, commented:

"This is a fun opportunity for the magazine editorial team and our readers to show our appreciation for the countryside – the places we love to explore and the people who work so hard to conserve landscapes and wildlife.  Scotland's natural beauty and diversity shine through in these awards with nominations in almost every category – from wildlife success stories and nature reserves brimming with life to magical beaches and gorgeous public gardens.”

27 January 2015

Since the unveiling of the bronze statue of countryside legend Tom Weir at Balmaha Bay on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond on 29^th December an impressive 5,000 visitors have flocked to see it and now it is on target to be one of the most photographed statues in Scotland in 2015.

Commenting on the popularity of the statue James Fraser, Chairman of the Friends of Lomond and The Trossachs, who coordinated and helped deliver the project on behalf of the Tom Weir Memorial Group, said: ‘’The level of interest in the statue following a very successful launch event a few weeks ago has been staggering with a steady flow of visitors to the site in all weathers.

‘’Interestingly, the extensive publicity surrounding the centenary celebrations to mark Tom’s birth and his great contribution to introducing generations to Scotland’s great outdoors seems to have sparked a fashion revival, with many visitors turning up wearing Tom’s signature red and white toorie hats to be photographed beside the statue.’’

Sandy Fraser, owner of the nearby Oak Tree Inn and main contractor for the Tom Weir statue installation said: ‘’We knew there would be great interest in the statue but hadn’t appreciated it would attract so many people to Balmaha at what is normally a quieter time of year for us.  We have enjoyed our busiest ever start to January which is very encouraging.

‘’The statue, situated in such a stunning setting against the backdrop of Balmaha Bay, and the associated picnic area, will be great assets for the village as we strive to provide more authentic things of interest to encourage visitors to stay longer and enjoy what is a very special part of Loch Lomond.’’

The special celebration on the 29^th December to mark the centenary of Tom Weir’s birth and his contribution to popularising the great outdoors through his adventures as a climber, naturalist, writer and broadcaster was a great success with around 500 present to hear tributes from well-known outdoor writers and broadcasters Cameron McNeish and Jimmie MacGregor and popular Scottish minstrel Alistair McDonald who played some of Tom’s favourite music.

Buoyed by the initial success of the statue the Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs and the Tom Weir Memorial Group have plans to raise a further £25,000 for a second phase of upgrading works at the picnic area which involve improving paths, installing story boards and seats as well as producing educational materials to introduce youngsters to the National Park the great outdoors building on Tom Weir’s pioneering work in this field. This would take the total investment to £100,000.

The public appeal remains open and donations can be sent to the Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs, The Old Station, Balloch Road, Balloch G83 8SS.

ENDS    

Photo captions: 1. Some youngsters model Tom’s famous red and white toorie hats beside his statue at Balmaha Bay.  2. A winter shot of the Tom Weir statue against the backdrop of Balmaha Bay, Loch Lomond.

Notes to editors:

1.For further information contact Susan Taylor, Administrator of the Tom Weir Memorial Group on 07882 942945 (tomweirmemorial@yahoo.co.uk), James Fraser, Chairman of the Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs on 07894 908807 (jamesbfraser@aol.com) or Sandy Fraser on 07788923400.

2. Tom Weir was a prolific writer and broadcaster on Scotland’s great outdoors for more than 50 years and until his death in 2006. He lived for many years with his wife, Rhona at Gartocharn at the southern end of Loch Lomond where she was Head Teacher at the local primary school.

3. Tom was best known for his popular TV series Weir’s Way which ran between 1976 and1987 and has been frequently re-run over the past 27 years. He also had a monthly feature in the Scots Magazine for almost 50 years.

4. Tom was the recipient of many prestigious awards including the Lifetime Achievement Eagle Award from the British Outdoor Guild of Travel Writers. He was also the first recipient of the John Muir Award for Lifetime Achievement.

5. Tom was an active campaigner for the protection of the Scottish environment and in particular his beloved Loch Lomond where he became a founding member and Honorary Vice-President of the Friends of Loch Lomond when the independent conservation body was formed in 1978.

6. The Friends has a strong membership base and is supported by a large number of individuals and companies who are passionate about caring for and celebrating the special qualities of the National Park. See http://www.lochlomondtrossachs.org.uk

7. The Tom Weir Memorial Group was formed in February 2012 by a number of individuals from many walks of life who were keen to mark Tom’s great contribution to enriching the lives of several generations of Scots by introducing them to the wonders of Scotland’s great outdoors. See www.facebook.com/tomweirmemorial

8. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority has supported the campaign to erect a permanent memorial to mark the work of Tom Weir. He was an active campaigner for the protection of the Scottish environment and encouraged people to explore the landscape that became Scotland’s first National Park. See www.lochlomond-trossachs.org

9. For more background information on sculptor Sean Quinn-Hedges and examples of his work see www.seanhedgesquinn.co.uk. Sean has recently completed a statue of James Herriot and is credited with creating statues of many famous football figures, including Sir Alf Ramsay and Sir Bobby Robson. This follows on from a successful career in the film industry as a model maker for blockbuster films as diverse as Harry Potter, Phantom of the Opera, Clash of the Titans and Bond’s Skyfall.

10 February 2015

Following the successful commissioning of the 2MW Allt Fionn scheme in 2012, work has begun on two further ‘run-of-river’ hydro-electric schemes - Upper Falloch and Derrydarroch -  on the 10,000 hectare Glenfalloch Estate near Crianlarich in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park (LL&TTNP).

These schemes, and one other at Ben Glas, were granted planning permission by the Scottish Government in 2010 following extensive input from Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority (LL&TTNPA). 

With a combined capacity of 6.1MW, the four schemes will generate enough electricity for 4,800 homes and represent considerable progress towards the renewable energy targets set out in the National Park’s Partnership Plan 2012-2017. 

The Derrydarroch scheme will cross a short section of the West Highland Way between Derrydarroch Cottage and the Allt a’ Chuilinn burn.

Work on the two schemes is being monitored by LL&TTNPA planning officers assisted by landscape, ecological and archaeological experts to ensure they comply with the rigorous conditions to protect these features and to minimise the impact on visitors.

Glenfalloch is one of a number of estates within the National Park that are keen to harness the potential of the natural environment for power generation to provide additional employment, a benefit to the local community and additional income to reinvest in the estate.

They are being helped in this by the NPA’s ground-breaking Supplementary Planning Guidance for Renewable Energy, which features advice on best-practice and a step-by-step guide on how to design schemes that are sympathetic to the National Park’s sensitive landscape.

David Lowes, managing partner of Glenfalloch Estate, said, “We are very pleased at last to see the start of construction on these schemes. It has been a long journey to this point and our thanks are due to our financial partners and to the NPA, SNH and other agencies who have worked with us along the way. 

“The hydro schemes are a significant boost to the estate, enabling us to invest more in our activities and to play our part in furthering the aims of the National Park in managing and protecting this incredibly beautiful yet sensitive part of Scotland.”

There are planning conditions that the Glenfalloch schemes have to comply with to minimise their visual and other impacts and given their close proximity to the West Highland Way. These include safety and diversionary signage for visitors during construction and restoration of tracks and paths.  

During construction, visitors to the West Highland Way are asked to observe contractors’ safety signage and follow temporary diversions.

Work on the Upper Falloch and Derrydarroch schemes is scheduled to be completed this year creating 15 jobs within the contractor, RJMcLeod (Contractors) Ltd’s workforce.

It is hoped that construction of the fourth and final scheme, Ben Glas, will begin later this year.

National Park Partnership Plan - Annual Review 2014

This review sets out how much progress has been made towards delivering actions and achieving outcomes in the second year of the National Park Partnership Plan.   

Click here for pdf (3.3Mb)

11 February 2015

Two new films exploring the skills and careers that are vital to local communities and the rural economy in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park (LL&TTNP) have been premièred by the Skills Partnership in Balloch today (Wednesday, 11 February) ahead of being distributed to schools and careers services across Scotland. 

The films are also available online at http://www.thecommunitypartnership.org.uk/skills-partnership-2/skills-videos/     

Young people and employers who live, learn and work in and around the National Park are the ‘stars’ of the films, with some attending this evening’s event at LL&TTNP’s headquarters to see themselves on the big screen for the first time.

The event also introduced a new Big Lottery Young Start-funded project called ‘Park Previews’, which will see the Skills Partnership working with partners to promote meaningful work experience opportunities across the National Park in 2015.

Lantra’s Rural Skills film, sponsored by Historic Scotland and the Skills Partnership, follows a group of six unemployed young men for a week with Luss Estates as they explore the diverse range of jobs in the countryside, including dry-stane dyking with Master Craftsman, Jim Hanson.

Rural Skills Week was organised in partnership with Iain Wilkinson, Rural Business Manager for Luss Estates, who places great importance on informing young people about rural career opportunities both to safeguard rural skills and ensure there are adequate resources to preserve and enhance the natural heritage.

The 10-minute film by Paul Saunders, was made to encourage young people across Scotland to take up careers in the land-based sector, such as environmental conservation, estate management, sheep farming, traditional building crafts, renewable energy, horticulture, tourism, fencing and many more.

An Activity Tourism film, created by Microfilm Scotland for the Skills Partnership and supported by Scotland’s Rural College, uses stunning images, outdoor activities and interviews to highlight that working in the National Park can be an exciting outdoor career choice.

In the four-minute film, local secondary school pupils from around the National Park learn more about the skills needed in activity tourism, including business management, communication, interpersonal skills, hospitality, kayaking, canyoning, archery, wildlife watching and heritage interpretation.

The Skills Partnership is managed and delivered by the Community Partnership, a grassroots charity representing community views and supporting the sustainable development of the 22 communities across Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.

Kate Sankey, Vice Chair of the Community Partnership said:

“Producing these films has been a partnership process that reflects the vitality of our communities and shows how important it is for all of us to encourage the aspirations of our young people. 

“The films will be distributed to local schools and career services with the aim of encouraging young people to think seriously about their futures – hopefully in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park!”

The launch of the two new films and the Park Previews project come at a time when the Scottish Government is prioritising work-relevant, educational experience for young people to help create a society in which poverty can be eradicated and all individuals can fulfil their potential.

Tom Wallace, Community Partnership Development Manager said:

“Thanks to all the partners involved in the films, and to Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER and Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park for funding the Skills Partnership in 2013/4. Thanks also to the Big Lottery’s Young Start programme and the National Park for funding the new ‘Park Previews’ project.”