Autumn 2010 | Number 6
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
'Friends' Gifts with new Christmas Card, Gold Mine rejected, Pier Pressure, and more...
Designed and printed by
5
Letter From The Chair
12
Picture This - Our Business Partnership
6
Gold Mine Plans Rejected
14
John Groome’s 1975 Diary
7
Wind Turbulence Gathers Pace
15
Young People’s Project
8
Pier Pressure
16
Our Park
Managing Visitor Pressures Effectively - A Conundrum?
19
Columba 1400
20
Uncertain Future For Park Tourist Information Centres
Scottsland: Celebrates the language of the landscape
22
Friends Gifts
Friends Membership
23
Order Form
The Inglewood Press Ltd, Alloa, Scotland www.inglewood-press.co.uk
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The Voice - Autumn 2010
The Voice is the magazine of the Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs, the only conservation charity working solely to protect and enhance the landscape and lochs of Scotland’s first National Park. To join us or to find out more about our work please visit
A letter from
the President
www.lochlomondtrossachs.org.uk
I see you have met my mother The Voice is published biannually in spring and autumn. Submissions on topics relating to Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park are welcome. Please send submissions to the editor at the address below or email simon@lochlomondtrossachs.org.uk Friends of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs 63 West Princes Street Helensburgh, Scotland G84 8BN Telephone: 01436 677733 Mobile: 07799 262 742 Email: info@lochlomondtrossachs.org.uk www.lochlomondtrossachs.org.uk
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
Since last I wrote my health has been somewhat dodgy – witness the fact that I had to miss our AGM – the first time since we started in 1978. The years hang heavily upon me and I no longer get around my garden and greenhouse – so no more regal pelargoniums and cuttings of shrubs and camellias! Luckily many of them are still thriving in the garden and gladden my heart, along with the hydrangeas, now in full bloom. I had an invitation to the opening of the three villages community hall by Prince Charles and Camilla on the 3rd June. Leanne got me there in my wheelchair. The Prince came over to speak to me and on seeing my MBE said, “I see you have met my mother, and made a comment on the good work that The Friends did. Being in a wheelchair in a crowded room with poor acoustics, the conversation was soon over. I recently celebrated my birthday with a splendid lunch at Cameron House where I was well looked after by Stephen Carter and his attentive staff. I was also pleased to hear that Stephen has agreed to Cameron House becoming the first Friends Foundation Business Supporter and to help our work in other ways including a charity golf fund raising event at the Carrick in Spring, 2011. I am delighted to hear from our new Chairman that the Friends are thriving with lots of new initiatives underway or planned, so keep up the good work! As ever, I always welcome visitors at Auchendarroch, but please do phone first – 01301 702240.
All the best, yours aye
Hannah 3
With Sweeney’s four star tours on Loch Lomond you can enjoy the Loch in all its seasonal beauty in style and comfort, whatever the occasion or time of year. Whether it's a relaxing cruise you're after or a fun night out with a difference, Sweeney's Cruises caters for all.
Call us on 01389 752376 or email: info@sweeneyscruises.com
www.sweeneyscruises.com 4
The Voice - Autumn 2010
Our (new) chairman’s letter Dear Members It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the latest edition of The Voice in my role as the recently appointed Chair of the Friends. As you may know I have a long association with the area and the Friends through my former role as Chief Executive of the Area Tourist Boards over a period of more than 20 years and I am delighted to be taking over the Chair of the Friends from Rowena Ferguson who was very persuasive! Rowena of course did much to modernise the Friends and lay the foundations for some exciting and very practical projects. Since I took up the post of Chair in June I have been impressed by the passion, enthusiasm and commitment of your Trustees, your staff, local businesses and the many volunteers and individuals who have got involved in furthering the work of the Friends. This was no more evident than at the Caledonian Challenge event on the West Highland Way and the recent Loch Lomond islands litter clean up which collectively attracted around 50 volunteers to fund raise and get their sleeves rolled up to help conserve the qualities of this special place. I am also grateful to the local businesses that have joined the first phase of our new Business Supporters Scheme, which is growing rapidly. Very many local businesses depend on the special natural qualities of the National Park for their business success, and by joining our scheme, they enable us to protect and promote these special qualities and the Park as a whole. I
www.lochlomondtrossachs.org.uk
look forward to welcoming many more businesses into our Business Supporters Scheme over the coming months as we step up our activities. I am also pleased some businesses have taken advertising in the Voice which has enabled us to considerably boost the print run and distribution.
I am grateful to the local businesses that have joined the first phase of our new Business Supporters Scheme, which is growing rapidly. We have taken stock of our priorities in recent months and we are now taking forward a very ambitious programme of work under the strategic themes of helping to protect and promote the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs area and provide for its future through a range of special projects and initiatives. Under the ‘protect’ theme in recent months we have taken part in the controversial goldmine and Drymen housing planning hearings and also given evidence at a large scale wind farm development planning hearing near the south west corner of the National Park. We are continuing to lobby the Park Authority to modify the draft Park Plan and make the Park a 'no go area' for large wind turbine structures (see page 7). Under the provide theme we are stepping up our fund raising activities to support practical work on projects throughout the National
Park, in addition to organising volunteer activities and special events. It is likely this will take on an increasingly important role as the National Park Authority's budget shrinks due to cutbacks in public expenditure. A key short term priority is to lobby for much needed investment in the piers around Loch Lomond. There have been some recent changes to your Board of Trustees with Frank Bracewell stepping down after many years of sterling service. Frank of course was involved in many planning issues over the years but undoubtedly one of his greatest achievements was helping to secure ownership of Ben Lomond for the nation through his joint involvement with the Friends and the National Trust for Scotland. A new recruit as a Trustee, but a familiar face to many, is Bill Dalrymple, the former and first Chief Executive of the National Park. We are delighted Bill has joined us and his knowledge and expertise will be invaluable to the Friends. We are grateful for your continuing support and hope you enjoy reading the latest edition of the Voice. If there is any issue you would like to raise with us or feel there is any way you can help to further the work of the Friends please do get in touch. I look forward to seeing some of you at our Christmas event on the PS Maid of the Loch on Thursday 2nd December. All the very best James Fraser Chair-Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs
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On 18th August the full Board of the National Park Authority met to consider the planning application by ScotGold for a ‘Proposed Gold Mine with associated service and production buildings, plant, tailings storage area, pond and gauging station, access roads and bridges and
Gold Mine Plans REJECTED diversion of burn’.
We set out the objection that this charity made in the last edition of VOICE, and the key points in that letter of: Permanent physical damage to the natural heritage of the National Park, damage in one of the most accessible and visited parts of the Park, disturbance within this accessible yet ‘wild’ part of the Park, lack of overriding national interest, negligible guaranteed benefit to the community, uncertain employment opportunities, an uncertain future and a damaged National Park reputation. In our comments at the meeting Simon Lewis our Director stressed the Sandford principle – i.e. that if there was a conflict between the various aims of a National Park such as economic activity and environment – that environmental protection should be the overriding factor. There was an impressive presentation from the Scottish Campaign for National Parks which stressed the significant deficiencies in the company’s plans for restoration of the huge five storey high earthwork that would contain the 800,000 tonnes of mine waste. This was also an area over which the Park’s own staff expressed significant concern. National Park Authority officers also expressed concern over 6
the potential for pollution and the poor standard of the planning application, particularly in respect to environmental damage and subsequent restoration of the site. The company and its landscape associates significantly failed to answer these concerns. By now the meeting had run well into the evening and after a very tense voting session the application was rejected by just two votes. At the time of writing the company have not appealed this decision, but are discussing a revised application informally with the National Park Authority. As was reported recently in The Scotsman: “The company has been holding private discussions with members of the Park Authority since its application was voted down by twelve votes to ten at a dramatic meeting in Tyndrum last month. Investors are hoping that it will be a case of second time lucky for the firm's flagship project if a compromise can be struck over some of the Board's environmental concerns. ScotGold is examining what can be done to minimise the visual and environmental impact of the mine's "tailings management facility" where waste material is disposed.
Although the resulting mound would be grassed over at the end of the mine's life, environmental campaigners believe the landscape would be marred by an unnatural land form. There are also fears the facility would ruin the "special qualities" of the area for walkers… …Despite last month's defeat, Chris Sangster, Chief Executive of the firm, said he continued to be "encouraged" by the close result of the meeting. With the Park's Board due to be reshuffled and reduced from 25 members to 17, supporters of the project hope a second application containing several concessions may survive another vote…” Simon Lewis said of the outcome, “There is certainly a need for jobs and investment in the Tyndrum area, though as I said at the hearing, the appeal of the landscape and wildlife will be drawing visitors for hundreds of years, while the mine would last for only ten”. We would welcome the views of our members and our wider readership on this important issue. Please get in touch! The Voice - Autumn 2010
Wind Turbulence Gathers Pace The threat from possible wind farm developments to the special scenic and landscape qualities of the National Park and its approaches from possible windfarm developments has been to the fore in recent months and is likely to become greater now that the Scottish Government has announced a revised target of achieving 80 per cent of Scotland’s energy needs from renewable sources by 2020. While the Friends are generally supportive of the drive to secure more energy from renewable sources and consider the National Park can make a major contribution to the national targets, we do not believe allowing clusters of wind turbines between 40 and 70metres high (130 and 220 feet – a five or nine storey building!) within the Park is the answer. There are less intrusive alternatives more suited to a National Park setting including ‘run of the river’ hydro and biomass schemes. We are campaigning against this with the Scottish Campaign for National Parks (SCNP) and are trying to persuade the National Park Authority to modify the draft Local Plan and declare the Park as a ‘no go area’ for wind turbines. It is encouraging that our efforts led to the issue being debated at a Park Board
meeting in the summer with agreement to clarify the draft policy on wind turbines - but we remain concerned the final wording may not preclude the development of clusters of these huge structures within the Park. We are urging the Park Authority to adopt as clear a stance on windfarms as their counterparts in the Cairngorms, where developments of this nature are not permitted. Meanwhile, we are pleased the Park Authority supported a group of South Cowal Community Councils, SCNP and others, at a packed planning hearing in the Kilmun Village Hall, to oppose a windfarm development of 8 wind turbines, each with a height of 100 metres, on the south western approaches to the Park. The scheme, if permitted, would have dominated the skyline in an area which is being promoted by the local Cowal Marketing Group as the Maritime Gateway to the National Park. and it would also have adversely impacted on major outdoor visitor attractions such as the Younger Botanic Gardens and some of the more iconic views in the south west corner of the Park. We were delighted when members of the Argyll & Bute Council Planning Committee decided to unanimously reject the application. The stance of the Community Councils to oppose the development was particularly commendable given that they were being offered a ‘sweetener’ of up to £1.6 million over 25 years by the developer for local community projects.
Refusal of the windfarm has helped protect the spectacular views from the Younger Botanic Gardens
www.lochlomondtrossachs.org.uk
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Pier pressure Loch Lomond is a popular destination for pleasure cruise trips and two of the leading passenger boat trip operators on the loch are the long established family businesses of Cruise Loch Lomond and Sweeney’s Cruises. Both have signed up to the new Friends Business Supporters Scheme (see page 12). Another long established operator is Sandy MacFarlane at Balmaha who continues to serve the inhabited islands of the loch with the historic mailboat carrying both passengers and mail. New additions to the loch scene this year include the impressively restored Silver Dolphin (Sweeney’s Cruises) and experimental ferry and cruise services between Luss and Balmaha, an around the bay service linking Balloch, Balloch Castle Country Park and Cameron House Hotel, and a service between Balloch and Balmaha. These trials are part of an effort to improve waterborne linkages around the loch. Some of these new services have been financially supported by the Park Authority and Scottish Enterprise, while Cruise Loch Lomond underwrote the Luss to Balmaha service. The new services have proved to be popular and the challenge now will be to place the subsidised services on a more sustainable footing and ensure that the agencies and all operators on the loch work together more effectively to provide a wider range of integrated services which appeal to both visitors and local residents who want to enjoy the wonders of the loch from the water. More effort also requires to be made to link in with innovative pilot transport services such as the 4Bs. BUT…there is a major issue which could undermine the progress being made on better cruising opportunities on the Loch - this is the poor condition of many of the piers around Loch Lomond. This urgently needs to be addressed before some of the structures are condemned and declared unsafe for use. Surveys have been undertaken and indicative costs for repairs assembled, but due to pressures on the Park Authority’s budget the prospects of serious investment in the piers in the short term seems unlikely. There is also the issue of upgrading of the piers so that they are suitable for the PS Maid of the Loch when she returns to full sailing capability in a couple of years. The Friends have made representations to Government Ministers to release more funds to the Park Authority to address this vital issue.
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Managing Visitor Pressures Effectively
- a conundrum? A considerable amount of the Park Authority’s budget is devoted to visitor management issues and funding what is reportedly the largest ranger service in the UK. This is supplemented by the efforts of the police, land owning agencies such as the Forestry Commission and charities, and local authorities. All are working closely with the Park Authority to try and stamp out anti-social behaviour at various ‘hotspots’ as part of ‘Operation Ironworks’. Sadly, despite the efforts of the various bodies the scale of irresponsible behaviour at various loch sides throughout the Park is on the increase with a growing number of largely car borne visitors involved in cutting trees down for camp fires and barbeques, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, creating noise disturbance and littering loch shores and the adjacent woodlands with all kinds of waste. While plans are being progressed to introduce byelaws to ban outdoor drinking and wild camping between Drymen and Rowardennan on Loch Lomondside with the support of the local community, the Friends (with some caveats) and other bodies, there is a real concern in other Park communities that this will lead to displacement of the problems to other accessible loch shores such as Lochs Lubnaig, Venacher, Voil and Earn. These sites are already suffering from similar problems. We have seen the problem first hand on recent visits by Friends Trustees to different parts of the Park and the issue is frequently raised in discussions with a range of local community and business representatives. We accept that a ‘do nothing’ strategy is not an option, and we have some sympathy for the views expressed by Dennis Canavan, former MP and MSP and current Chairman of the Ramblers Association Scotland at a recent UK National Parks’ conference held on Loch Lomondside. Dennis very forcibly put the case for not ‘criminalising’ all wild campers for 12 months of the year alongside the 13 mile stretch of the West Highland Way between Drymen and Rowardennan and suggested the problems were not being caused by visitors coming to the area on foot, by bicycle or horseback, but was mainly a car borne visitor phenomenon exacerbated by alcohol abuse. He felt the cause of the problem should be tackled by taking firm punitive action with stricter enforcement of existing laws. He pointed out that there are already adequate laws to deal with litter, vandalism and antisocial behaviour and argued a better solution would be to restrict alcohol and car access on the east side of Loch Lomond with overnight parking bans in specific areas and the introduction of permit access for nominal sums.
The Voice - Autumn 2010
Uncertain Future for Park information Centres There is growing concern about the future of the network of Information Centres throughout the National Park. The Centres collectively handle over a million visitor enquiries annually and perform very useful and important functions showcasing the diversity of what the Park has to offer, as well as helping to orientate and educate visitors. The Park Authority has controversially leased the Luss Visitor Centre, which remained closed throughout the main summer months, to Purdie Soaps and most of the local interpretation material has been removed to make way for retail activities. Similarly, the ÂŁ2.8 million publicly funded National Park Gateway Centre at Balloch has been leased to Cadonas for a coffee shop and ice cream parlour with all the interpretation displays on the National Park removed. There is also uncertainty about the long-term future of some of the other visitor information centres such as the Breadalbane Folklore Centre in
Killin and the Rob Roy & Trossachs Visitor Centre in Callander that serve the needs of many hundreds of thousands of visitors so well. There is a need for a clear strategy on the future role and purpose of the network of Information Centres in the Park. Do we want our visitors to be oblivious to the wealth of things to see and do in the Park? Do we want to help persuade visitors on touring holidays to linger longer in the Park or move onto other parts of Scotland to spend their money? Should the Centres have valuable education and orientation roles to play as part of the interaction with almost half of all visitors to the National Park? Should the Luss Visitor Centre and the National Park Gateway Centre continue to benefit from extensive signing when they no longer perform their original functions as important Park information and interpretative facilities with trained and knowledgeable staff? Do we need information centres at all? What do you think? Comments please to info@lochlomondtrossachs.org.uk
www.lochlomondtrossachs.org.uk
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The Voice - Autumn 2010
Please join us! PLEASE JOIN THE FRIENDS! If you have been a member in the past, or never supported this charity, please JOIN NOW! As you can see from the contents of this edition of our magazine VOICE, the charity is actively involved in a wide range of activities to protect and promote the National Park - we can only do more with your support. This year membership remains at £15 individual and £20 family/joint. For new members who join this year (up to 31/12/2010) we are again able to make the special offer of a free copy (retail price £9.99) for each new member of the guide to the National Park – ‘Discover Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park’. It’s a comprehensive guide to the Park with all the vital information about where to go, what to see and how to get there – produced in a small handy size just right for a large pocket or small back-pack. The guide is starting to sell well in retail outlets around the Park
The discounts and offers available at a range of businesses in and around the park are: • 50% off entrance fees at Drumkinnon Tower, Loch Lomond Shores • 10% off Sail Loch Katrine on the ‘Sir Walter Scott’ • 10% off cruises with Cruise Loch Lomond, sailing from Tarbet • 10% off food and beverages at The Coach House Coffee Shop, Luss • 10% off food and beverages at The Buchannan Arms Hotel, Drymen • 10% off food and beverages at the MacDonald Forest Hills Hotel and resort, Kinlochard • 10% off entrance fees at Go Ape, Aberfoyle
– so this is the last chance for new members to get a free copy! From the beginning of 2011, we will be able to take membership subscriptions by direct debit and members will be able to simply renew at the same time they joined, each year. In the meantime, please join us for the first time, or renew your membership with a cheque payable to The Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs –
www.lochlomondtrossachs.org.uk
We will also be developing a special section on membership on the new website www.lochlomondtrossachs.org.uk where all the membership information and special member offers will be listed.
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A group of the first businesses put themselves in the frame for our Business Supporters scheme
Picture this! This edition of VOICE marks the launch
We applaud the investment of our
of our new Business Supporters Scheme.
founding business supporters! As Mike
gathering on Loch
We’re delighted that a dozen of the
Cantley, convenor of the National Park
Lomondside in mid
leading businesses in the National Park
Authority board said: “'I welcome this
have joined as members of the scheme,
new initiative by the Friends and I am
alongside the many hundreds of ‘public’
delighted so many businesses have
members of the Friends.
signed up for this initial phase of the
Our business supporters are based in the
innovative Friends Business Supporters
glorious natural asset of The Loch
Scheme which has tremendous potential
Lomond and The Trossachs National
to fund worthwhile projects throughout
Park, and like us, they value this
the National Park.”
wonderful setting in which their
James Fraser – the new chairman of The
businesses are operating. And through
Friends said: “Given the uncertain
the scheme they are now actively
public sector financial climate I think it
supporting our work to protect the area’s
is critically important that innovative
environmental quality heritage and
ways are developed to source funds
culture, promote it as a most special part
for conservation, heritage and outdoor
of Scotland, and provide for its future
recreation projects in the National
through a range of projects for people
Park and I am enormously grateful to
and for wildlife. A beautiful growing, and
our new Business Supporters, and
thriving National Park is good for
indeed those advertising in this edition
everyone, and brings in both visitors and
of VOICE, for their support”.
September – thank you to our founder members!
customers!
Stuart Cordner Cruise Loch Lomond
Mairi Cordner Cruise Loch Lomond Shona Brierton Cameron House
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Rowena Fergusson The Coach House Coffee Shop
James Fraser Chairman Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs
The Voice - Autumn 2010
Mike Can Convenor o National Authority an of Visit Sco
e Cantley enor of the onal Park ity and chair it Scotland
Foundation Supporters •
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CAMERON HOUSE Loch Lomond, Dunbartonshire, G83 8QZ Telephone: 01389 755 565 Fax: 01389 713 281 www.cameronhouse.co.uk A magnificent baronial mansion surrounded by 100 acres of woodland, Cameron House on Loch Lomond, blends traditional Scottish influences with sumptuous contemporary décor to offer guests a memorable stay in the finest surroundings. This is your lochside Baronial mansion and much more with our Carrick resort our 18-hole championship golf course and luxury spa. Once tried, never forgotten.
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LODGE ON LOCH LOMOND HOTEL Luss, Argyll, G83 8PA Tel: 01436 860 201 Fax: 01436 860 203 email: res@loch-lomond.co.uk www.loch-lomond.co.uk
Experience the serenity of the bonnie banks through the winter on award winning cruises - Rambler; Explorer; Rob Roy Discovery, Ben Lomond Hike. From Tarbet, Luss, Inversnaid, Balmaha, Rowardennan.
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LOCHS & GLENS HOLIDAYS School Road, Gartocharn, Dunbartonshire G83 8RW Tel: 01389 713 713 email: enquiries@lochsandglens.com www.lochsandglens.com
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Family run inn on east side of Loch Lomond adjacent to WHW, serving good food all day with bunk, standard and deluxe accommodation available
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THE WINNOCK HOTEL The Square, Drymen, Loch Lomond, G63 0BL Tel: 01360 660 245 email: info@winnockhotel.com www.winnockhotel.com
BEST WESTERN BUCHANAN ARMS HOTEL AND SPA 23 Main Street, Drymen, Glasgow G63 0BQ Tel: 01360 660 588 email: info@buchananarms.co.uk www.buchananarms.co.uk One of the finest and most popular small hotels in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, with a character and charm which sits peacefully and calmly with the qualities of its surroundings.
Niall Colquhoun The Lodge on Loch Lomond and the Inverbeg Inn
Neil Wells Lochs and Glens Holidays
www.lochlomondtrossachs.org.uk
LOCHSIDE PHOTOGRAPHY 2 Hamilton Street, Dumbarton, G82 2AD Tel: 01389 733 888 Mobile: 07836 261956 email: h.hall@lochsidephotography.co.uk www.lochsidephotography.co.uk Wedding photography for all budgets, high quality press, corporate, and landscape photography founded on many years experience in tourism and the Loch-Lomond area
Business Supporters
The Winnock Hotel in Drymen is the perfect choice for everything from a delicious bar meal through to a fun-filled party-night, ceilidh or special event.
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BALMILLIG B & B 64B Colquhoun Street, 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 business also offering bespoke guided tours – day walking and mountain guiding.
Business Plus Supporters THE OAK TREE INN Balmaha, Glasgow, G63 0JQ Tel: 01360 870 357 email: info@oak-tree-inn.co.uk www.oak-tree-inn.co.uk
COACH HOUSE COFFEE SHOP Luss, Loch Lomond, Argyll, G83 8NN Tel: 01436 860 341 email: info@lochlomondtrading.com www.lochlomondtrading.com Award winning coffee shop - gorgeous food, hearty soups, fantastic coffee and cake – roaring log fires in the winter and tables outside in the summer
Lochs & Glens Holidays are proud to support the Friends of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs
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SWEENEY’S CRUISES Balloch, Dumbartonshire, Loch Lomond, G83 8SS Tel: 01389 752 376 email: info@sweeneyscruises.com www.sweeneyscruises.com Scottish Tourist Board 4-star tours on Loch Lomond. All cruises have live commentary, bar and toilet facilities. Open 7 days a week all year round.
The 4-star Lodge on Loch Lomond Hotel has a unique lochside setting. It offers stylish accommodation, some with en-suite saunas and private balconies, Colquhoun’s, a 2 AA rosette restaurant with panoramic views of the Loch and mountains and a health suite with swimming pool, spa and treatment rooms.
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CRUISE LOCH LOMOND The Boatyard, Tarbet. Loch Lomond, G83 7DG Tel: 01301 702 356 email: enquiries@cruiselochlomond.co.uk www.cruiselochlomond.co.uk
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POPPIES HOTEL & RESTAURANT Leny Road, Callander FK17 8AL Tel: 01877 330 329 www.poppieshotel.com
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THE HARBOUR CAFÉ Loch Venachar, Callander FK17 8HP Tel: 01877 330 011 www.venachar-lochside.co.uk
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WHEELS CYCLING CENTRE - BIKES / HIRE Invertrossachs Road, Callander, FK17 8HW Tel: 01877 331 100 www.scottish-cycling.com
John Sweeney Sweeney’s Cruises Sandy Fraser Oak Tree Inn
David Warnes The Winnock Hotel Drymen
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John Groome’s 1975 Diary John Groome writes with Christmas approaching in December 1975 You can still buy copies of the John Groome Diaries for either or both 1978 and 1979. The two diaries, printed in full colour with his wonderful illustrations, are available from the office at £5 each – with £2 postage and packaging – lovely and unique Christmas gifts.
Sunday 7th December:
The weather has turned mild again, and the garden still has plenty of flowers. Even fuchsia and lobelia survived the little snow we had. I was in Glasgow during the week and even at night no overcoat needed to be worn.
Saturday 13th December:
Frost enough last night to ice over the pools and curl the rhododendron leaves, but as the day passed some warmth returned. This week I have tidied Rowchoish shelter, which has recently been visited by undesirables who left it in a mess and stole or destroyed the log book. I took away three sack fulls of empty cans, mostly beer, 26 bottles – wine and spirits, and burned a lot of other refuse. A lot of green birth had been cut and littered about, the biscuit tins which I had supplied to hold food had been bashed about, the water container thrown out and all the firewood burned. At this time of year when hill walkers may take risks they should not, a supply of dry firewood can be a life saver, so I stocked up with firewood, replaced the water container and left a note about refuse. I hope it works, but perhaps the ‘wrong types’ are illiterate!
Christmas event a date for your diaries! Thursday 2nd December, we are holding an early evening festive reception in the wonderful setting of the Maid of The Loch at Balloch Pier. With drinks, nibbles and some informal Christmas entertainment, it will be a great opportunity to meet the Trustees, staff and other Friends. The atmosphere will definitely be informal and there will also be an opportunity to hear about the exciting plans to reintroduce sailings of the famous paddle steamer in time for her 60th anniversary in 2013.
See you there 5.45 for 6pm till 7.30 or thereabouts
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The Voice - Autumn 2010
Young people’s project Look out for our new young people’s project ‘Get into the nature heritage of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs!’ We’re setting up the project now, with support from the National Park - the project aims to connect young people in the populated heart of Scotland with their nature heritage in the National Park. This will be done through a competition for a series of web based ‘Species Tales’ - web pages created by young people that stimulate investigation into, understanding of, growing a sense of value and care for wildlife nature - biodiversity …. nature heritage in the National Park. The competition will encourage investigation, insight, more than superficial understanding - looking at connections with habitat and wider environmental forces, pressure from other species, threats from man and man’s activities both directly and indirectly. We will encourage entries to show as many connections as possible -with other species, other habitats, the wider
environment beyond the National Park, and with either or both habitats and species listed in the Park’s Biodiversity Action Plan. There will also be strong encouragement to show the effects of people in the park – the disturbance and damage that can affect these species. The project will culminate in the Spring with an awards event with presentations from short listed schools/groups, and a VIP to present awards. There will be a trip into the Park with practical activity for the short listed school groups. If you are a teacher working in a school in one of the urban areas around the National Park, or in the Park itself – get in touch and we’ll tell you more! There will be a special report on the project in the next Spring edition of VOICE.
Watch for our charity
golf event!
As part of our exciting new partnership with Cameron House, we are looking forward to running a special charity golf day at The Carrick in the spring / early summer of next year – with funds raised supporting the work of the Friends.
More details will be available soon – if you’d like to go on the list to be emailed with full information as soon as we have it – please email info@lochlomondtrossachs.org.uk putting ‘golf’ in the subject line – then you’ll be the first to know about the event and how to book a place!
www.lochlomondtrossachs.org.uk
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PROJECTS SUPPORTED BY ‘OUR PARK’ DONATIONS… With the generations donations from visitors and businesses participating in the ‘OUR park’ scheme we are delighted to have been able to start to offer support to conservation organisation completing vital conservation works to protect the wildlife in the area, which includes: • Assistance to the Loch Lomond Fisheries Trust, whom we featured in our last edition of The Voice, to assist with their vital survey and habitat improvement works to conserve native fish populations, such as Salmon and Trout in the rivers and water of Loch Lomond.
A Huge Thank You BALMILLIG B&B in Helensburgh who have raised a fantastic £542! Balmillig B&B are very generously match-funding their customer donations £1 for £1! FASCADAIL HOUSE in Arrochar – a very impressive £190 from a combination of £1 voluntary donations on overnight bookings as well as collections from their ‘OUR park’ donation pot. ROSS PRIORY in Gartocharn – A noble £78 from loose change collected from their ‘OUR park’ donation pot located at the bar. Many thanks to everyone for their generous contributions.
• Providing the Cowal Red Squirrel Group with squirrel feeder boxes and feed so help them monitor grey squirrel expansion in the area which will assist with formulating plans to remove and help prevent their further expansion in Cowal, thus helping to conserve the native red squirrel population.
OUR Park volunteers tackle loch lomond litter
Islands of sh... ame!!! 16
A group of 20 volunteers gathered on Saturday 25 September to collect a staggering 45 large bags of litter from the islands of Inchmoan, Inchconnachan and Inchtavannach. Abandoned tents, plastic bottles and disposable barbeques were just some of the items cleared by the group and there was also evidence of extensive toileting at each of the sites. . The event was jointly organised by the new tourism group Love Loch Lomond and the Friends. We plan to do more – watch for the Spring edition for a full report.
The Voice - Autumn 2010
Autumn Reflections An appreciation of the changing landscapes and wildlife in the Park – by well known local naturalist Keith Graham who lives at Port of Mentieth Autumn brings a strong sense of change to the Park. Most evidently, that change is manifested in the strengthening colours with the heather purpling moor and mountain. The vast variety of woodlands are tinted at first yellow and golden, then bronze, copper and russet as the cycle of green that is so strong during the summer months finally bows out, except of course, among the serried ranks of conifers. It is a golden ending as the year declines towards winter. And yet, it is a beginning too, for in that decline, the dying leaves that even now are carpeting the landscape, are the stuff of new life. The reddening brackens blaze a defiant message, illuminating the hillsides as the autumn sun gives a grand finale to the year and brings with it the natural harvests of the woods and hedgerows succulent brambles, rich, red haws and hips and dark clusters of sloes. Red rowans also blaze a message of fulfillment as nature’s harvest reaches maturity. There are new noises too. On those blazing hills and in familiar glens, hackles are rising as red deer prepare themselves for the climax of their year when stag will challenge stag. No quarter is asked for or given as each antlered monarch of the glen strains every muscle to prove that he is the master of all he surveys. The glens echo to the sonorous roars as challenges are issued and then accepted. Antlers clash as the annual rut that has been a ritual to generation after generation of red deer reaches its zenith. It is dramatic, it is at times nerve wracking; it is about the triumph of the strongest, yet for older stags it can in defeat, also spell the end of their supremacy. They may find themselves literally pensioned off. Already by late September, the antagonists are gathering, the hinds accepting their subservient roles meekly. Great expectations! Let battle commence! There are also new sounds in the air, not this time from the mountains and glens but from the gentler lowland parts of the Park, as great skeins of geese descend to complete journeys from beyond the Arctic Circle. Pink-footed geese from Iceland and Greenland represent the bulk of these winter migrants but there are also white-fronts from Greenland, homing in most notably upon the broad, southern waters of Loch Lomond.
www.lochlomondtrossachs.org.uk
Such is the variety of landscape across Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, that there is always a remarkable diversity of wildlife to observe. Red may be the notional colour of the autumn season but red too are the squirrels that dominate the Park’s more northern landscapes. The alien greys, interlopers from across the Atlantic, were introduced to Britain – more specifically to Cheshire
another
– in 1876. They quickly carved out niches for
newly
themselves and being larger and more aggressive
introduced
soon began to spread at the expense of the much
bird, is also
more attractive native reds.
putting in regular
Unfortunately, some of these foreigners were
appearances especially in
released on the shores of Loch Long in 1896 and
the eastern parts of the Park. ‘Flying barn doors’, is
quickly became the more dominant squirrels in
how some people describe the presence of the
lowland Scotland, to the extent that reds all but
mighty sea eagles. However, it is the more
disappeared from areas to the south of the
populous golden eagle perhaps, that is more likely
Highland Line. However, happily in more recent
to be seen, especially in the mountainous areas of
times the expansion of the range of a creature once
the park.
severely persecuted and nearly driven to extinction,
And as autumn finally cedes to winter and the first
has seen grey squirrel populations on the retreat in
snows decorate the mountain tops, new dramas
many parts of the Park. The pine marten, now of
unfold. Mountain hares, residents of those high and
course, protected under the law, is apparently
lonely places and sometimes referred to as ‘blue
prospering and is targeting the grey squirrel as a
hares’, respond to shorter days and lowering
primary source of food.
temperatures by turning white. Stoats too become
Grey squirrels are on average, nearly twice the
ermine and ptarmigan grow in new white plumage
weight of the native red, and are much less agile
as they seek obfuscation – anonymity – in their
than their red counterparts and thus easier for pine
quest for survival.
marten to catch. Furthermore, they make a much
Change is the ever recurring theme in the natural
better square meal! About the size of domestic
world but throughout the shortening days of
cats, if a little more slender, these attractive
autumn if there is a sense of decline, there is
members of the weasel clan are an increasing and
nevertheless a sense also of the fast approach of a
welcome presence in many parts of the Park,
new beginning. Indeed, the old season of Yuletide
spending much of their time among the trees.
is a celebration of the passing of the significant
Most of the summer migrants, like swallows, martins
landmark of the shortest day. Thus, the New Year
and our growing population of ospreys, have
really does mark the start of something new.
departed for warmer climes but other birds are
Already eagles are proclaiming territorial rights and
flooding in from the north and east as autumn
even selecting nesting sites for the coming year,
advances. As well as great flocks of geese, there are
whilst down in the wild woods something stirs deep
graceful skeins of whooper swans descending from
inside roe deer does as the fertilised eggs that will
Iceland. Slightly smaller than our resident mute
in May become kids, now at last begin their life’s
swans, they are also much more pleasing on the ear,
cycle.
their mellow fluting a welcome and musical addition
Indeed, as days now almost imperceptibly begin to
to the autumn mood.
lengthen, there is a sense throughout the Park of
And across the North Sea come all manner of
renewal - that a new cycle of life is about to be
winter migrants, among them woodcock, short-
generated. Blackbirds may be heard bursting into
eared owls, minuscule goldcrests, nomadic flocks of
song as early as January. Redbreast and Jenny
fieldfares and redwings and many more, escaping
Wren at last have vocal company and spring may
from the perma-frost now beginning to seize their
well be just around the corner! And as January
native heaths.
passes the baton on to February, so are the first
There is more red on display with the burgeoning
signs of regeneration beginning to manifest
numbers of red kites to be seen in many parts of
themselves. Now as days lengthen, it is a time to
the Park. The re-introduction of these attractive
look forward as nature begins to set in motion yet
raptors has certainly embellished our skies with the
another season of re-birth.
magnificence of their languid, drifting flight but
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our park
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our park
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our park
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our park
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our park
our park
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our park
A weekend marshalling for the Friends at the Caledonian Challenge One of our new volunteers, Sarah Cartwright, talks about her experience marshalling this year’s For more information on any of our
Caledonian Challenge to help raise funds for the Friends.
volunteer events, or to register for an
“I had been volunteering with Loch Lomond National Park for a few months when an email
event please call our project officer
was sent around on behalf of the Friends of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs asking for
Alice on 01389 727 761 or by email
volunteers to marshal at the Caledonian Challenge. Up for a weekend in Glencoe, meeting
alice@lochlomond-trossachs.org
new people and doing my bit, I signed up. The Tennent’s Caledonian Challenge, held this year on 11-13 June, sees teams of competitors attempt to walk (or run if superfit/mad!) 54 miles of the Great Glens and West Highland Way within 24 hours. The event raises money for the Scottish Community Foundation and, in addition, the Friends of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs received money for every marshal provided. The teams started out on Friday afternoon but our first shift did not start until midday Saturday. We were stationed at Glencoe Ski Centre, the 34 mile mark. Our duties were varied – directing traffic in the car park, checking the participants in and out, manning road crossing points, directing participants to the route, cleaning up, watching for those walking alone and for those in trouble. Our most important task, however, was to do lots of cheering! The atmosphere at the checkpoint was great, from the participants, marshals and supporters. I was even thinking of putting my name down to enter next year! The army provided much of the logistics for the event and entered a few teams as well, with their recruiting team in first to the Glencoe checkpoint. Having run for 34 miles, they looked like they’d just been for a stroll in the park. A banana and a bottle of water later and they were off again. According to one of the army volunteers I was chatting with, this event was the warm up for the next weekend – running all 95 miles of the West Highland Way! Our shift finished at 8pm and we headed off for some food and beer at the Bridge of Orchy Hotel, whilst the participants walked through the night. Then it was off to bed in the bunkhouse in preparation for an early start. Our Sunday shift started at 5am and was at the finish line at Strathfillan. I was manning the bag drop, along with Alice, next door to the medical tent. There were a lot of hobbling people, some with their feet held together with tape! The sense of achievement was fantastic; it really is quite a feat (!) to complete it. When we had finished at the bag drop, we went down to the finish line to cheer in the last teams. The army recruiting team completed the route in 11 hours and eight minutes; the last team made it in 27 hours and 20 minutes and every single person well deserved their medal.
Friends membership
As for me, I thoroughly enjoyed the weekend. The atmosphere from start to finish was great; I met a lot of
and marketing officer
people and made new friends; I was persuaded by quite a few of them that mountain biking is the future
Sue Cameron showing
and I am now well on my way to choosing a new bike; the Friends received £2250 for providing marshals
the way to go on the day
and I am now a member!” Many thanks to Sarah and the rest of our 20 volunteers who helped with this event – together we raised £2,250 which will be used to deliver the ‘OUR park’ initiative which is helping to deliver vital conservation and enhancement works in and around the National Park.
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The Voice - Autumn 2010
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Columba 1400 is changing young people’s lives and their communities Norman Drummond, the founder of Columba 1400, telephoned his good friend Peter Armitage in September 2006 and persuaded him to visit Gartocharn. He had spotted an advert for the sale of Ardoch, an estate on the edge of the village, and believed that it could be the right place to implement a plan that had been swirling around in Peter’s head for more than a year. Peter was seeking a property suitable for hosting the highly acclaimed leadership and development programmes run by Columba 1400 on the Isle of Skye for young people from tough realities. Peter’s happy childhood and a successful career motivated him to give back to society and he identified Columba 1400 as the organisation best positioned to help him to achieve his goal of making a positive impact on young people’s lives. Finding the right property had proved to be a time consuming and challenging assignment but it was immediately apparent that Ardoch met all the criteria, including the requirement for an inspirational location, which is such an important part of the Columba 1400
www.lochlomondtrossachs.org.uk
experience. The ideal property also had to have potential as an attractive meeting place for paying groups. This is a critical element in the business plan, which converts rising commercial revenues into growing subsidies for Columba 1400 courses, thereby underpinning the financial sustainability of Columba 1400’s work at Ardoch. The practical challenges of developing Ardoch were numerous but the biggest of all, once planning permission had been obtained, was to design a new building that would appeal not only to discerning adult groups but also to young people. The architect brief emphasised this key aspect together with others such as low maintenance and environmentally friendly technologies. The development has a biomass boiler, solar panels, grey water collection and excellent insulation. There has been a major tree planting programme on the estate, a small pond has been enlarged to form a lochan, which is attracting many forms of wildlife, and a borehole has confirmed that underground water supplies are adequate for all Ardoch’s
needs. The original steading has been totally refurbished and the new building was completed recently. The difference between the old and the new is very striking with traditional fabrics and furniture in the cosy steading contrasting vividly with the rough stone, timber, galvanised metal, brickwork and rusted steel plates in the contemporary building. There are wood burning stoves throughout, artwork on almost every wall and uplifting views from almost every window. The property is very flexible. It has a total of 18 bedrooms (15 bathrooms and 32 beds) spread across the new building, 3 cottages, a farmhouse and Ardoch House. There is an elegant drawing room, a large family kitchen that seats 10, a byre that makes a welcoming reception area, a dramatic dining hall, two meeting rooms and many break out areas including the double height space and large terrace, both with stunning views over Loch Lomond. Ardoch feels like a place where good things can happen. www.ardoch-scotland.com
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Scottsland:
celebrates the language of the landscape 2010 has been a big year in the life of the National Park and its many communities.... and for many reasons... but possibly nowhere more so than in and around The Trossachs. Two hundred years ago in 1810 Sir Walter Scott, arguably one of the greatest Scots of all time, wrote and published his epic verse ‘The Lady of the Lake’ set in and around The Trossachs. The poem sold over 25,000 copies in its first year of publication and tourists flocked to the area from across the globe to experience the place so beautifully depicted throughout the poem. In celebration of the bicentenary the National Park launched Scottsland, a wide ranging programme of events centred on Callander and the wider Trossachs. The original idea for the celebrations came from a National Park Board Member and Friend of Loch Lomond, Bob Aitken. As early as 2005 Bob put a formal proposal to the National Park Authority setting out the significance of the poem and recommending that the Authority take the lead in planning and delivering a programme of celebrations – and to start that planning as soon as possible. Bob’s paper was instrumental in raising awareness of the significance of Sir Walter Scott’s epic verse and prompted the Authority to focus attention on the Park’s quite unique arts and literary heritage. The Board fully supported his recommendation and one of the early actions put in place was to make a bid for this Park to host the UK Association of National Park Authority’s annual conference.
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The Scottsland programme staged over forty events during the summer, culminating in the Chase, a sporting event which followed the route of the stag chase in the first Canto of the poem. And the National Park hosted the UK ANPA conference on 21-23 September on the banks of Loch Lomond with more than 100 delegates from National Parks and environmental agencies across the UK. The Scottish Association of Literary Studies also held their annual conference in the Park in June exploring the influence of Sir Walter Scott on the Trossachs. Together with the National Park Authority they marked the occasion with the publication of a new illustrated version of the poem which has actually been out of print for many, many years. Throughout the summer, the Scottsland celebrations had a strong community feel with many events staged by local groups and organisations. There were guided walks, photography competitions, heritage displays, cruises, picnics and a wonderful film festival. Callander Community Development Trust worked with the local primary school to stage the Soaring above the Trossachs Kite Festival on 24 September 2010. The Trust gave each pupil a kite to decorate in the summer term, and then the Kite Club of Scotland helped all 280 children launch their kites with a colourful display of kites from around the world. Callander Enterprise put on an innovative ‘Words in Windows’ exhibition with 80 framed verses from the poem on display throughout the town centre. Each verse was carefully chosen to link with the goods on sale inside and shoppers were invited to enter the Words in Windows competition to link each verse to the premises. As a tiebreaker, entrants were asked, having been inspired by Scott, to write their own short verse about Callander;
The Voice - Autumn 2010
‘Spreading the Word: A candlelit evening with Scott and Friends’ The Friends trustee Carron Tobin saw Scottsland as a golden opportunity to help raise awareness of The Friends in the eastern area of the Park. She devised ‘Spreading the Word: a candlelit evening with Scott and Friends’ – it proved to be a very special treat, and not just for those able to e there on the evening... On 14 September an audience of 30 sipped Rob Roy cocktails by candlelight in the wood panelled library of the Roman Camp Country House Hotel while Callander Amateur Operatic Society presented Sir Walter Scott’s life story and his works through narration, song, recitals and a delightful traditional puppet show. Part way through the evening Brian Collie, local tradesman playing the part of Sir Walter, treated the audience to the first ever public recital of ‘A Highland Journal’ written by Sir Walter Scott in 1797 while staying in Callander at Cambusmore. The poem begins; From the cliffs of sweet Killin, From the paps of woody Lenny Blythe we traveled the Highland Glen Mountain, moors and slopes many The reading of the poem was imaginatively and generously made available to the Friends by the Baillie Hamiltons when trustee Carron Tobin shared with them the plans for ‘Spreading the Word’. Sir Walter Scott regularly visited and stayed with the family and the poem had lain undiscovered for over 200 years in a bundle of letters in an estate box. Following a press release from the
www.lochlomondtrossachs.org.uk
National Park, the first reading generated huge media interest with articles in many UK newspapers and items on Asian, Indian and American websites and translations into Spanish. And then just before the second performance on 21 September, the Friends received a call asking if NTV, Russia’s largest non-governmental television station, could film the second performance and also interview the Baillie Hamilton family.
Interview with Bruce and Angus Baillie Hamilton for Russian TV!
Eugene Ksenzenko presenter with NTV said ‘Sir Walter Scott and his work is as big as Tolstoy in Russia.’ On 22 September 2010 ‘NTV’ beamed the news piece to over 100 million viewers in the former Soviet Union countries, and many more worldwide by satellite. Paula Baillie Hamilton is filmed unlocking and displaying the contents of the battered black estate box within which the poem lay undiscovered for over 200 years in a bundle of letters from Sir Walter Scott to the family. Paula said ‘we are pleased that so many people are interested.’ A special feature on the news item was an interview with Bruce and Angus Baillie Hamilton. The boys, both pupils at Beaconhurst in Bridge of Allan, are in their early teens and
have been studying Russian for over three years. The boys offered to be interviewed in Russian and took time to translate one of the letters especially for NTV. Markedly the filming took place on the anniversary of Sir Walter Scott’s death on 21 September 1832. The ‘Spreading the Word with Scott and Friends’ programme, written by Clare Hunter, was beautifully scripted and guests were delighted with the evening. Ian Inglis president of CAOS narrated Scott’s life story while Mark MacDonald recited Lochanvar and Emma Milligan sang Schubert’s beautiful Ave Maria inspired by the words in The Lady of the Lake. Alan Clark provided the musical accompaniment. A highlight was a traditional cardboard puppet theatre performance of Rob Roy. Brian Collie, Callander’s very own Sir Walter Scott, whose parents were in the audience, laughed ‘earlier today I was plastering a bedroom wall and this evening I was reciting ‘a Highland Journal’ to over 100 million people!’ David Redwood commented ‘As one of the guests representing Forth & Lomond Leader I thought this was an imaginative way to commemorate the life and work of Sir Walter Scott and the members of the Callander Amateur Operatic Society certainly did him justice.’ The two evenings generated £400 in donations which were split between the two societies.
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For the first time for a number of years, we have again produced a Christmas Card with a classic scene of snow-clad Ben Lomond. We have also produced a blank ‘notelet’ with a lovely Autumnal Trossachs scene – both cards come in packs of 10 with envelopes at £5 per pack collected from the office, or with £2 post and packing. Cards are shown below – you can order yours by using the enclosed order form or emailing info@lochlomondtrossachs.org.uk
We have also developed a range of high quality clothing with the Friends logo proudly emblazoned in full colour – order yours now and wear with pride! The best way to order outdoor wear, with a full colour embroidered Friends logo, is direct from our website – click on the GIFTS button for as full range of colours and sizes and new clothing items as soon as we have them. ON-line orders will be delivered within 21 days. If you do not have a computer – please copy or cut out this form and send to us with your cheque. Clothing items ordered by post can take up to 28 days.
LADIES AND GENTS FLEECES
LADIES AND GENTS POLO SHIRTS
Cosy long sleeve outdoor fleeces with full zip front
Ladies and gents short sleeved poly cotton polo shirt
AUTUMN COLOURS IN THE LOCH LOMOND AND TROSSACHS NATIONAL PARK - A5 NOTELETS
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Branded Outdoor Wear
CHRISTMAS CARDS
SPORTS CAP with peak
DISCOVER LOCH LOMOND AND THE TROSSACHS BOOK
JOHN GROOME’S DIARIES 1974 AND 1975
The Voice - Autumn 2010
Order Form I would like to order the following items from the Friends Gifts selection: PLEASE TICK SIZE AND COLOUR REQUIRED
OUTDOOR WEAR
Gents Polo
S S S
Sports Cap
@ £5.99
Ladies Fleece Gents Fleece Ladies Polo
S
M M M M
L L L L
Black Black Black Black
Blue Green Blue Green Blue Green Blue Green
QUANTITY
@ £24.99
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@ £24.99
....................
@ £15.99
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@ £15.99
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For Outdoor Wear items please add postage and packaging £4.00 per item
GIFTS Trossachs Notelets - set of five (A5) plus envelopes @ £5.00
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Christmas Cards - set of ten (210 x 99mm) plus envelopes @ £5.00
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Discover Loch Lomond and the Trossachs by Martin Varley @ £9.99 .................... John Groome’s 1974 Cuilness Diary @ £5.00
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John Groome’s 1975 Cuilness Diary @ £5.00
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For Seasonal Gifts please add postage and packaging £2.00 per item
Name
........................................................................................................
Address
........................................................................................................ .................................................... Postcode ..................................
Tel. No.
........................................................................................................
........................................................................................................
Please complete the order form below and return to: Friends of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs, 63 West Princes Street, Helensburgh Scotland G84 8BN with cheque made payable to: Friends of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs
BY PHONE: You can also order by phone on 01436 677733 – just leave us a note of your order, with your full address and phone number. We will phone you back to confirm the order and the cost.
IN PERSON: the office will usually be staffed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays 10am-4pm.
www.lochlomondtrossachs.org.uk
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The Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs needs you... Publication dates for next year: the next (Spring) edition of VOICE will be published in mid April 2011. We would welcome your input – letters, articles – please get in touch! Over the next few months, we will be undertaking a major overhaul of the website to make it easier to use, more up to date, and rather less complicated! – Log on to www.lochlomondtrossachs.org.uk and see the work in progress! Amongst the new features that will be up and running in 2011 will be a special version of The Voice that you can read ‘live’ on screen, turning the pages with a mouse click. We will also be starting a regular email news service for all members for whom we have an email address (if we don’t have yours please email it to info@lochlomondtrossachs.org.uk with ‘email alert’ in the subject line). These bulletins will also go out to everyone who has registered for updates on the website.
To help us do more for the future of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs we are looking for volunteers to help with many aspects of running the society. We are looking for volunteers in specific areas such as:
• Helping with administration at our office in Helensburgh • Writing for or editing this magazine • Becoming a trustee and helping plan our future programme and raising the funds to enable all our work Friends of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs 63 West Princes Street, Helensburgh Scotland G84 8BN Telephone: 01436 677733 Email: info@lochlomondtrossachs.org.uk
We gratefully acknowledge the support of the following for our work and for the OUR Park scheme in particular
www.lochlomondtrossachs.org.uk