Windows on the Loch Battle Continues

With support from the Hannah Stirling Loch Lomond Trust and the Friends of OUR Park visitor giving scheme over £5,000 has been invested this year on clearing shrubs and small trees to maintain open views of Loch Lomond and Ben Lomond between Luss and Tarbet on stretches of the busy A82 and the adjacent cycle and foot path for the enjoyment of visitors.

A local contractor undertook most of the clearance works and some additional maintenance work, mainly litter picking, was undertaken by volunteers, Argyll & Bute Council’s Community Service team and National Park staff.

The programme of work was coordinated by the Friends with Trustee, Duncan MacLachlan, overseeing the work on a day-to-day basis, which has made such a real difference for the

enjoyment of local residents and visitors travelling along the lochside.

The programme of works to maintain the views has been an ongoing battle for over 10 years now and followed representations over many years by members of the Friends and the general public to open up some views of the loch on the 22 mile ‘tree tunnel’ between Balloch and Tarbet. Some initial funding was provided to the Friends to tackle this work by the National Park Authority and a grant condition included a commitment that the Friends should maintain the views for at least 10 years.

Discussions are ongoing with Transport Scotland to reopen views from the specially raised string of seven viewpoint laybys beside the northbound lane between Luss and Inverbeg, where the views are completely screened by uncontrolled tree and shrub growth. The Friends have also been campaigning for repairs to be undertaken to poorly maintained stone dykes beside the shoreline cycle and footpath and for other improvement works to improve the safety

and appeal of the route.