Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park | |
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IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape) | |
Location | United Kingdom (Scotland) |
Coordinates | 56°15′N 4°37′W / 56.250°N 4.617°W |
Area | 1,865 km2 (720 sq mi)[1] |
Established | 2002 |
Governing body | National park authority |
Website | Official Website |
UK National Parks |
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Parentheses denotes the year. An area with ‡ has similar status to a UK National Park. Areas marked † are proposed. |
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park (
The park straddles the Highland Boundary Fault, which divides it into two distinct regions - lowland and highland - that differ in underlying geology, soil types and topography.[3] The change in rock type can most clearly be seen at Loch Lomond itself, as the fault runs across the islands of Inchmurrin, Creinch, Torrinch and Inchcailloch and over the ridge of Conic Hill. To the south lie green fields and cultivated land; to the north, mountains.[4]
The Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park lies close to Scotland's heavily populated Central Belt, and the area has long been popular with visitors. Principal attractions are viewing scenery and wildlife, walking, climbing, water sports, and other outdoor activities.[5] In 2017, there were 2.9 million visits to the park, of which 2.1 million were day visits and 783,000 were made by visitors staying overnight within the park.[6]
Geography
The national park extends to cover much of the western part of the southern
The park is centred on Loch Lomond, the largest lake in Great Britain by surface area,[8] with a surface area of 71 km2 (27.5 sq mi).[4] The loch contains many islands, including Inchmurrin, the largest fresh-water island in the British Isles.[9] It is a popular leisure destination, and is surrounded by hills,[10] including Ben Lomond on the eastern shore, which is 974 metres (3,196 ft) in height,[11] and the most southerly of the Scottish Munro peaks. A 2005 poll of Radio Times readers voted Loch Lomond as the sixth greatest natural wonder in Britain.[12]
The Trossachs are an area of wooded hills, glens and lochs that lie to the east of Loch Lomond. The name was originally applied only to a small woodland glen that lies at the centre of the area, but is now generally applied to the wider region. They have long been visited by tourists due to the relative proximity of major population centres such as Glasgow and Stirling, and the area remains popular with walkers, cyclists and tourists.[13] The wooded hills and lochs of the area may be considered to represent a microcosm of a typical highland landscape,[13] and the woodlands are an important habitat for many species.[14]
Much of the Trossachs area is protected by various different conservation designations, including the "Great Trossachs Forest" national nature reserve.[15]
Breadalbane refers to the northern part of the park, including the villages of Crianlarich and Tyndrum. The area consists of the steep hills and mountains of the southern highlands, and includes Ben More,[16] the highest mountain in the national park.[1] Breadalbane formed one of the traditional provinces of Scotland, and traditionally comprised the watershed of Loch Tay (i.e. Glen Dochart, Glen Lochay, and the banks of Loch Tay itself), thus extending well beyond the boundaries of the national park.[citation needed]
The westernmost part of the park comprises the eastern side of the Cowal peninsula, which is separated from the rest of the park by Loch Long.[11] Much of the peninsula is covered by the Argyll Forest Park, which is managed by Forestry and Land Scotland.[17] The Arrochar Alps, a popular location for hillwalking and climbing, lie at the northern edge of Cowal, overlooking Loch Lomond.[18]
Several major transport routes pass through the park, including the
Formation of the national park
Many countries have established national parks on the basis of setting aside areas of wilderness; Scotland however, lacks any such areas, as thousands of years of human activity have altered the landscape. Human settlement and activity, including
Despite the lack of true "wilderness" the idea that areas of Scotland having wild or remote character should be designated to protect the environment and encourage public access grew in popularity throughout the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Following the
Despite this long history of recommendations that national parks be established in Scotland, no action was taken until the establishment of the Scottish Parliament in 1999. The Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park was designated as such under the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000, which was one of the first pieces of legislation to be passed by the Parliament.[21] The park was formally established on 1 July 2002.[2]
Wildlife and conservation
Over 200 species of birds and over 25% of all the species of plants known to occur in Britain have been recorded in the national park. The park is home to many of the species most associated with the Scottish highlands, including capercaillie, red deer, red squirrel, Scottish wildcat, golden eagle, peregrine falcon, black grouse, buzzard and osprey.[25] Beavers are also now present in the park, with signs of beaver activity being observed on Loch Achray in the Trossachs during a survey undertaken over the winter of 2017–18; the beavers are assumed to have spread there from the existing population on the River Tay.[26] A colony of wallabies has lived on Inchconnachan, an island in Loch Lomond, since 1940.[27]
Many different habitats are present in the park, including large areas of woodland, which covers approximately 30% of the park. Around 22.5% is covered commercial conifer plantations, whilst native woodlands cover 7.5%.
The park also includes 63 kilometres (39 mi) of coastline around three
Conservation designations
The national park is classified as a Category v protected area by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.[33] In total 67 sites within the park hold some form of
Recreation and tourism
The area has long been popular with tourists, with the Trossachs being one of the first parts of Scotland to become a recognised tourist destination due to its position on the southern edge of the
In 2017 there were 2.9 million visits to the park, of which 2.1 million were day visits and 783,000 were made by visitors staying overnight within the park.
Loch Lomond is one of Scotland's premier boating and watersports venues, with visitors enjoying activities including
The park is popular with walkers, with routes ranging from easy family strolls through to
As with all land and inland water in Scotland there is a
Administration
The national park is administered by a national park authority, which is an executive non-departmental public body of the Scottish Government.[51] Under the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000, national parks in Scotland have four aims:[52]
- To conserve and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of the area
- To promote natural resourcesof the area
- To promote understanding and enjoyment (including enjoyment in the form of recreation) of the special qualities of the area by the public
- To promote sustainable economicand social development of the area's communities
The aims are slightly broader than the duties and purposes set out for English and Welsh national parks under the
The Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority is a full planning authority, exercising powers that would otherwise be exercised by local authorities,[53] and also takes responsibility for managing access to the countryside that elsewhere falls to local authorities. Aside from the planning and access function, the national parks authority has considerable flexibility as to how the four aims are achieved. It can, for example, acquire land, make byelaws and management agreements, provide grants, offer advice, and undertake or commission research.[54] The authority is headquartered in Balloch, at the southern end of Loch Lomond.[55]
The national park authority is run by a board, consisting of 17 members. Five members are elected by the community and twelve are appointed by the Scottish Government, of whom six are nominated by the Local Authorities. The board meets in public at least three times a year.[55]
Towns and villages within the park
As of the 2011 census the population of the national park was 15,168.[1]
Council area | Towns and villages |
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Stirling | Aberfoyle, Balmaha, Brig o' Turk, Callander, Crianlarich, Croftamie, Drymen, Inversnaid, Killin, Lochearnhead, Port of Menteith, Tyndrum, Strathyre, Balquhidder, Kilmahog, Gartmore, Inchmahome (Island of Lake of Menteith) |
West Dunbartonshire | Balloch, Croftamie, Gartocharn |
Perth and Kinross | St Fillans |
Argyll and Bute | Whistlefield .
|
Munros within the Park
There are 21 Munros (mountains over 3,000 feet (914 m)) in the National Park, of which 16 are within the Breadalbane section of the park. Ben Lomond is the most frequently climbed mountain in Scotland.[citation needed] A list of Munros within the park and the closest village is given below:
- Ben More (1,174 m; 3,852 ft), Crianlarich
- Stob Binnein (1,165 m; 3,822 ft), Crianlarich
- Ben Lui (1,130 m; 3,707 ft), Tyndrum
- Cruach Ardrain (1,046 m; 3,432 ft), Crianlarich
- Ben Oss (1,029 m; 3,376 ft), Tyndrum
- Ben Challum (1,025 m; 3,363 ft), Tyndrum
- Arrochar
- An Caisteal (995 m; 3,264 ft), Crianlarich
- Ben Vorlich (985 m; 3,232 ft), Lochearnhead
- Beinn Dubhchraig (978 m; 3,209 ft), Tyndrum
- Stuc a' Chroin (975 m; 3,199 ft), Lochearnhead
- Ben Lomond (974 m; 3,196 ft), Balmaha
- Meall Glas (959 m; 3,146 ft), Crianlarich
- Beinn Tulaichean (945 m; 3,100 ft), Crianlarich
- Ben Vorlich (943 m; 3,094 ft), Ardlui
- Beinn a' Chroin (940 m; 3,084 ft), Crianlarich
- Beinn Chabhair (933 m; 3,061 ft), Ardlui
- Arrochar
- Sgiath Chuil (921 m; 3,022 ft), Crianlarich
- Beinn a' Chleibh (916 m; 3,005 ft), Tyndrum
- Ben Vane (915 m; 3,002 ft), Ardlui
See also
- National parks of Scotland
- Tourism in Scotland
- Geology of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park
References
Citations
- ^ a b c d "Key Facts". Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
- ^ a b "National park 'goes live'". BBC News. 8 July 2002.
- ^ Wild Park 2020. p. 55.
- ^ ISBN 0-09-463270-7.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 June 2019. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ a b Global Tourism Solutions (UK) Ltd (11 January 2019). "Tourism Economic Impact 2017" (PDF). Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
- ^ "Explore by map". Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
- ISBN 978-0-85112-736-1.
- ISBN 978-1-898169-34-5.
- ^ a b "Loch Lomond". Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
- ^ a b c Ordnance Survey 1:50000 Landranger Map. Sheet 56. Loch Lomond and Inverary.
- ^ "Caves win 'natural wonder' vote" BBC.co.uk Retrieved 10 December 2006.
- ^ a b c D. Bennet (ed.) The Southern Highlands. Scottish Mountaineering Club District Guides - Scottish Mountaineering Trust. 2nd edition (August 1986). pp. 47-49.
- ^ "Strath Gartney, Achray and Loch Ard Forest: Special qualities of the Trossachs" (PDF). Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority. 2006. pp. 130–131. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 June 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
- ^ "Sitelink - Map Search". Scottish Natural Heritage. 2006. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
- ^ SNH Commissioned Report 376: The Special Landscape Qualities of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. p. 26.
- ^ "Argyll Forest Park". Forestry Commission Scotland. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
- ^ "Arrochar Alps and Crianlarich". WalkHighlands. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
- ^ Ordnance Survey 1:50000 Landranger Map. Sheet 50. Glen Orchy & Loch Etive.
- ^ "Wildness in Scotland's Countryside" (PDF). Scottish Natural Heritage. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
- ^ a b "History Leading to the Cairngorms National Park". Cairngorms National Park Authority. Archived from the original on 15 January 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
- ^ "Brief History of National Parks Proposals". SNH. Archived from the original on 16 January 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
- ^ "National Scenic Areas". Scottish Natural Heritage. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
- ^ "Unfinished Business a national parks strategy for scotland" (PDF). Scottish Campaign for National Parks. March 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
- ^ "Wildlife & Nature in and around the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park". Visit Loch Lomond. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
- ^ "SNH Research Report 1013 - Survey of the Tayside area beaver population 2017-2018" (PDF). Scottish Natural Heritage. 2018. p. iii. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
- ^ "About Loch Lomond". Visitscotland. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
- ^ "Trees and Woodland Strategy" (PDF). Scottish Natural Heritage. April 2019. p. 5. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
- ^ Wild Park 2020. p. 24.
- ^ Wild Park 2020. p. 31.
- ^ Wild Park 2020. p. 35.
- ^ Wild Park 2020. p. 44.
- ^ "Loch Lomond and The Trossachs in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland". Protected Planet. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
- ^ "Where are we now?". Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
- ^ Wild Park 2020. p. 162.
- ^ SNH Commissioned Report 376: The Special Landscape Qualities of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. p. 1.
- ^ "Search by A-Z". Scotland's National Nature Reserves. NatureScot. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ S. Johnson & J. Boswell (ed. R. Black). To the Hebrides: "Journey to the Western Isles of Scotland" and "Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides", p. 423. Published by Birlinn, 2007.
- ^ "Loch Lomond Shores". Undiscovered Scotland. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
- ^ "Loch Lomond Byelaws 2013" (PDF). Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority. March 2013. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
- ^ "Cruise Loch Lomond". Cruise Loch Lomond. 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
- ^ "Loch Katrine - Loch Cruises". Steamship Sir Walter Scott Ltd. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
- ^ "Loch Lomond and The Trossachs". WalkHighlands. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
- ^ "West Highland Way". Scotland's Great Trails. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
- ^ "Long distance walking routes". Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
- ^ "Scotland's Great Trails: the official guide". Scotland's Great Trails. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
- ^ "Scottish Outdoor Access Code" (PDF). Scottish Natural Heritage. 2005. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
- ^ "Loch Lomond camping byelaws come into force". Mountaineering Scotland. 28 February 2017. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- ^ "Camping in the National Park" (PDF). Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
- ^ "Camping and Motorhome Byelaw Q&As". Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- ^ "Executive non-departmental public bodies". Scottish Government. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
- ^ a b "National Park". Scottish Natural Heritage. 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
- ^ "Future National Parks in Scotland: Possible Governance Models" (PDF). Scottish Campaign for National Parks. August 2015. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
- ^ "A National Park in Galloway? A Discussion Paper" (PDF). Galloway National Park Association. October 2017. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
- ^ a b "Our Board & Committees". Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
Bibliography
- "Wild Park 2020 - Our Biodiversity Action Plan" (PDF). Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority. July 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
- "SNH Commissioned Report 376: The Special Landscape Qualities of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park" (PDF). Scottish Natural Heritage. 2010. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
External links
- Official website
- Argyll Forest Park - Forestry and Land Scotland