Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park - Added value to Argyll and Bute

Kevin Williams, Development Projects Manager, Argyll and Bute Council gave an interesting presentation on the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park and the potential benefits to the surrounding coastal areas of Argyll and Bute.

Please click here for the full presentation or read on for a summary of the talk.

The presentation highlighted:-

• The Argyll and Bute context.
• The added value which has accrued to the area of Argyll and Bute which lies within the National Park.
• The opportunities offered through the development of Gateways to the National Park

Located on the west coast of Scotland, Argyll and Bute:-

• Is the second largest local authority area in Scotland
• Covers nearly 7,000sq km, almost 10% of the total area of Scotland
• Has a population of just over 91,000 is less than 2% of the national population.
• Has an incredibly indented coastline, longer than that of France
• Covers a total of 25 inhabited islands, numerous coastal villages and larger towns
• Has a range of communities that are unique and varied.

Dunoon waterfront © Argyll and Bute Council

Argyll and Bute Council is just one of four Councils with areas which lie within the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park boundary. The Firth of Clyde Forum Partnership Area covers a large proportion of the eastern seaboard of Argyll and Bute and encompasses the main settlements of Helensburgh within commuting distance of Glasgow, the seaside town of Dunoon and a range of other towns and villages both within the National Park boundary and beyond.

The Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park was Scotland’s first National Park established in July 2002 to protect and enhance some of the very best of Scotland’s natural and cultural heritage. It has four main aims which are to:-

• Conserve and enhance the natural and cultural heritage
• Promote the sustainable use of natural resources
• Promote understanding and enjoyment
• Promote the sustainable economic and social development of its local communities.

A report by Land Use Consultants and David Tyldesley and Associates noted that:-

• The establishment of National Parks in Scotland is likely to create challenges and opportunities for areas lying close to or in between them. However, the experience from elsewhere in the UK is broadly positive with many social, economic and environmental benefits arising for surrounding areas.

However given that the two National Parks in Scotland have only been in existence for a short period of time the benefits are difficult to quantify.

So what of the issue of added value to those areas of Argyll and Bute within the National Park? Only 3280 residents of Argyll and Bute live within the actual Park area where the main settlements are Luss, Tarbet, Arrochar, Lochgoilhead and Kilmun.

In the lead-in period and since the designation of the National Park we have seen the construction of a number of new facilities including a visitors’ centre at Luss, new toilets, a pier and picnic facilities at Tarbet, a new golf course and high quality housing at Loch Lomond.

With regard to already established tourist facilities within the Park it is difficult to determine at this stage the level of benefits but undoubtedly businesses such as the Arrochar Hotel, the Tarbert Hotel and others have been able to capitalise on increased visitor numbers. Other centres including Kilmun and the Benmore Gardens within the Argyll Forest area of the Park have clearly benefited. These facilities are all most welcome but without a detailed survey it is difficult to say, other than anecdotally, how many Argyll and Bute residents they employ. Many of the employees in the Loch Lomond side facilities, for example, are likely to travel from outwith our area.

So what are the benefits to the area of Argyll and Bute which lies out with the Park boundary? The main overland route into the hinterland of Argyll provides access to our key settlements such as historic Inveraray, the buoyant seaside town of Oban, as well as Campbeltown, Lochgilphead, Tarbert and, ultimately, our Atlantic Islands.

The largest town within Argyll and Bute is the attractive town of Helensburgh which is in close proximity to the Park. It is recognised as offering one of the main gateway opportunities associated with the National Park and this is recognised in the Dunbartonshire Local Economic Forum Strategy. The recently completed Helensburgh Town Centre Strategy seeks to capitalise on the clear inward investment opportunities and the newly established Helensburgh Partnership will take forward major regeneration projects.

Dunoon is the other main settlement where it is recognised that there are opportunities for added value from the Park. Argyll and Bute Council and its partners are about to commission a major strategy for the regeneration of Dunoon Town Centre and Waterfront as a Marine Gateway to the National Park. Alongside this the Council and its partners are also submitting a bid for a major project of regional and iconic significance under the Living Landmarks Lottery Fund. The project will include the replacement of the Queens Hall as well as providing a range of other uses.

Whilst there is no doubt that some benefits have accrued it is still early days and the benefits are not yet quantifiable. For the relatively small number of residents of Argyll and Bute living within the Park boundary the economic benefits are probably limited. The main economic opportunities from the Council’s perspective are seen as being outwith the Park. It is clear however that we need to respond to the opportunities created by the creation of the Park which has already been the catalyst for major initiatives in Helensburgh and Dunoon.