Young people from Haldane Youth Services (HYS) took part in an island adventure on Loch Lomond’s Inchcailloch recently as part of their John Muir Award.

The youngsters joined rangers from the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority and other young people from the Life Improvement Centre in Glasgow to explore the island.

The group, which included Ian Filshill, Paul Moran, Thomas Aitken, Molly Thumath and Morgan Mackie from HYS, took part in a series of activities to help them enjoy and understand how to care for the natural environment.

This included climbing the island summit path to learn all about Inchcailloch’s geology.

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The youngsters were then presented with their John Muir Award - a nationally recognised environmental award which encourages young people to care more for wild areas close to where they live.

Following the adventure, which took place on International Youth Day, Sharon McMillan, project co-ordinator at HYS, told the Reporter: “They had a great time achieving their John Muir Award and still talk about their great experiences during their residential. They thoroughly enjoyed their day on the island and meeting with the new friends they made.”

Toby Clark, the Trust’s Scotland manager said: “Congratulations to all the young people, and our partners at the National Park. They’ve shown us how positively young people respond to opportunities to engage with and take action against biodiversity loss and climate chaos.”

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The event coincided with the publication of a joint report from the national park authority and the John Muir Trust, celebrating over five years of partnership working, which has involved helping thousands of people achieve a John Muir Award.

Charlotte Wallace, volunteering, engagement and programme manager at the national park said: “The adventure on Inchcailloch was a great way to help young people connect with the outdoors and give them an opportunity to enjoy, appreciate and respect wild places, especially those right on their doorstep.”

“Our partnership with the John Muir Trust helps people from a range of backgrounds benefit from engaging with the natural world. We’re excited to be expanding our reach and opening up more opportunities for young people to experience the national park, taking the chance to learn from them and celebrate their fantastic successes wherever possible.”