Land Use Conflicts

Click on the locations marked on the following map with a This will open up a page with information about the land use conflicts that you find there. Make notes in your sheets about each conflict. Click on the home button to return to the map, then click on a new location

The National Park Gateway Centre at Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch As the the geographical entrance to the National Park and a prime area for regeneration, this location was ideal for a visitor development of this scale. The site here at Loch Lomond Shores was opened in July of 2002 to coincide with NP status being granted to the area. The site was designed to act as a reception point for both Loch Lomond and also for the whole of the new NP itself. Drumkinnon Tower at Loch Lomond Shores is an imposing building – its design is based on the traditional brochs found in Scotland. It is now home to Loch Lomond Aquarium. Noise from the aquariums multimedia show can be heard from some distance away. The shopping avenue at Loch Lomond shore has a Jenners department store and several restaurants. There is a childrens fun fair at the far end. Many people feel that these sorts of developments look out of place in a National Park.

Luss – a honeypot site Large numbers of visitors can be a problem in the village of Luss on the western shores of Loch Lomond particularly at bank holiday weekends. The beach at Luss is a honeypot site with large numbers of people having picnics, barbeques and sunbathing. Litter, discarded disposable barbeques and campfires are problems that the rangers have to deal with. The village of Luss itself sits right on the banks of the Loch and is very picturesque. However locals have to deal with coach-loads of tourists constantly walking past and even peering into their gardens. It can be quite intrusive at times! Most of the shops in the village are tourist shops selling souvenirs. Locals now have to travel further for groceries etc.

Hill Sheep Farm, Glen Luss The main type of farming found in the Park is hill sheep farming due to the steep slopes, poor soils and high rainfall Conflicts can arise between farmers and tourists such as: Walkers leaving gates open Walkers damaging fences, walls trying to access the higher slopes. Dogs can chase sheep if they are not kept on a lead Trampling of vegetation/crops Walkers dropping litter which could be eaten by livestock.

Glen Luss Campers One of the problems that the park rangers have to deal with are weekend campers. Many buy cheap, disposable tents which they throw on the campfire when they are finished leaving eyesores like the ones seen in the photos opposite. The campfires themselves are a problem – they can damage vegetation (some campers even build their fire between exposed tree roots!) and leave ugly burnt scars. Binge drinking and loud music can also be a problem. One group of campers drove through a locked gate and up a narrow forest path so that they could have their car and music system right next to their tent!

Loch Sloy HEP Station Loch Sloy HEP station is situated at the northern end of Loch Lomond just outside the village of Tarbet. Loch Sloy itself is a hanging valley which sits above Loch Lomond. The lower section of the valley has been dammed (GR 2811) and pipes run down the side of the valley to the power station below at Inveruglas (GR 3109) HEP is a clean and renewable source of energy but many find the power station and pipes unsightly.

Forestry at Loch Katrine The slopes around Ben Lomond across to Loch Katrine have been planted with conifers such as sitka spruce. Some people believe that forestry adds to the beauty of area and the industry provides jobs in rural communities such as Balmaha. Trees can also help to stabilise the soil and hold back flood water. Not everyone shares this view. When the slopes are covered in bleak, identical coniferous trees, the landscape is considered unattractive and not natural. The trees are planted close together, making the forest below so dark that it cannot support wildlife. When the trees are felled it leaves unsightly scars on the landscape. Very few jobs are created and the trees can block walkers access to the hills.

Footpath Erosion on Ben Lomond About 30,000 people scale Ben Lomond every year, with some parts of the two-metre path becoming 25-metre erosion scars as a result. In August 2008 the Forestry Commission and the National Trust for Scotland refurbished the footpath which guides walkers to the peak of Ben Lomond. The work will help preserve the landscape and minimise the impact of walkers. New drainage ditches have also been installed to help prevent the path being washed away. Workers have also incorporated steep banks and drops, as well as natural obstacles, to ensure visitors stick to the correct path.

Footpath Erosion on Ben Vorlich, the Trossachs Suffering from severe erosion of its sensitive peat soils, the path from Loch Earn to the summit of Ben Vorlich was in need of attention. Extensive use of stone created new fords on the lower path. Stone was also used in the construction of water bars, cross drains and pitching on the steepest sections. With regular annual maintenance the paths should be able to resist serious erosion for some considerable time

Balmaha – a honeypot site Balmaha is situated on the eastern side of Loch Lomond and like Luss, is a honeypot site, attracting large numbers of visitors and water sports enthusiasts. Conflicts can arise between the more peaceful non-motorised activities such as sailing, canoeing, windsurfing and angling and the motorised boats and jet skis. Motorboats and jet skis can create large wakes than can lead to erosion of the loch bank. The National Park Authority has dealt with the problem by producing byelaws which restrict the speed limit of motorised craft and also restricts them to certain zones of the Loch.