Hi,

 

Looking after the Park continues to be a busy job for us all and the National Park’s Convener, Mike Cantlay, has recently become busier still having been appointed to the prominent position of Chair of VisitScotland. This significant appointment follows years of hard work and dedication to his role here at the Park and we will no doubt benefit from Mike’s dual role during his remaining time as our Convener.

 

While this nationally-important appointment has generated a fair amount of media exposure recently, we have also been in the newspapers for a wide variety of other reasons.

 

We were lucky enough to host two visits from Environment Minister, Roseanna Cunningham, who spent a morning on the East side of Loch Lomond and announced £400,000 of investment in infrastructure projects in the area, funded by ourselves,  Forestry Commission Scotland and SNH. This was followed by a meeting with local community representatives in St Fillans in the North of the Park where local issues and projects were discussed.

 

Our proposed camping byelaw aimed at restricting camping along some of the most visitor-pressured areas on the East side of Loch Lomond has also generated a lot of people's interest. The byelaw proposal has been released for public consultation and is part of a number of measures aimed at protecting one of the most scenic and popular areas of Scotland.

 

The go-ahead for the introduction of four new hydro schemes at Glen Falloch was also confirmed recently and this, in line with our National Park Plan, will help the Park to promote the increased use of energy from renewable sources and will also provide a welcome local employment boost.

 

The launch of the National Park’s exciting programme of cultural events, ScottsLand, which celebrates Sir Walter Scott and the 200^th anniversary of the publication of his epic work “The Lady of the Lake” has also been hitting the headlines. Set in and around the Trossachs, this series of cultural, sporting and educational events between May and September promises to include something for everyone.To find out more visit www.scottsland.co.uk.

 

Finally, we were delighted to hear that Argyll Mausoleum in Kilmun has been awarded almost £250,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to proceed with plans to restore this important ancient building to its former glory. As the National Park Authority forms part of the board which is overseeing this restoration project, we are naturally proud to have secured this significant funding.

 

As the Easter weekend marked the launch of the busiest season for visitors to the Park, our work continues apace. With one of the UK’s largest Ranger services out on the ground here in the National Park, come out and enjoy the outdoors and look out for a warm welcome from one of our team.

 

Warm regards