Volunteers Make a Difference on Loch Lomond Islands

Sunny and very hot weather greeted a Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs volunteer squad at Luss jetty on Wednesday 14th June.

 “We had a great team who ensured that we had a very successful Make a Difference Day, litter-picking on the islands of Inchmoan, Inchconnachan and Inchtavannach which are the most heavily used for camping and picnicking” said Friends Chair, John Urquhart who helped organise the event.  Thirteen enthusiastic volunteers came from the Glasgow office of the multi-national engineering design and consultancy firm AECOM who were very keen to make a difference.

Some of the volunteers from AECOM and National Park Authority staff who helped on the day.

John also commented “my take-away message from the event was that there was less litter than there had been 10 years ago, the last time the Friends did a similar exercise there. Much of the litter I personally picked up was well over a year old.  It’s not that there has been any less camping and picnicking – I suspect people may just be becoming more responsible and that is doubtless a testimony to the hard work over the years by the National Park on education and clearing up. The National Park ranger staff, who helped provide the transport and took away the 20 or so bags of rubbish at the end of the day, were excellent.  We would also like to extend a big “thank you” to Loch Lomond Leisure who were kind enough to assist with transporting volunteers to/from the islands.”  Some members of the public on the islands made a point of speaking to the volunteers, offering compliments and encouragement.  At the start of the day, one proactive couple helped to pick up litter near to Luss jetty when they spied the Friends’ Project Support Officer arriving with the litter-picking gear and bin bags!

Litter-picking near to Luss jetty