TEMPORARY toilets have been opened at a popular Loch Lomond beauty spot – 25 years after public loos were last located at the site.

The new facilities next to the Duck Bay Hotel have been provided by the Friends of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs conservation charity, with funding from the Hannah Stirling Loch Lomond Trust, the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority and Argyll and Bute Council.

The Duck Bay Hotel’s owners, the Cawley Group, have also agreed to provide staff to clean the toilets, as well as toiletries and cleaning materials.

Local MSP Jackie Baillie said: “The Friends are to be congratulated for taking the initiative to provide much needed temporary toilets at this popular Loch Lomondside picnic area.

“This means that thousands of site users can now visit in the safe knowledge they will have access to toilets which are well maintained and hygienic.’’

James Fraser, chair of the Friends, said: “It has been a long hard struggle to get to this point but we are delighted that our determination to make something happen at this site has finally paid off.

“I am also grateful to Alan Cawley who has willingly stepped in to support the initiative with practical day to day assistance.

“We will continue to keep the pressure on public agencies to come forward with further plans to invest in this tired looking site which has the potential to be a jewel in the crown of Loch Lomond which we can all be proud of.’’

Gordon Watson, chief executive of the National Park Authority, added: “With the National Park Authority not owning any land in this area we are delighted to support and help fund a partnership approach to deliver these crucial facilities.

"This reflects work going on across the National Park to provide for visitor needs.”