The sun shone on the 40 volunteers who turned out last week to take part in a very successful Make a Difference Day on West Loch Lomondside.

The clean-up event was organised by conservation charity, the Friends of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs with support from the National Park Authority.

The volunteers made a real difference by opening up views that had become lost due to overgrown vegetation and clearing over 100 bags of litter from bramble bushes on the lochside between Luss and Inverbeg.

This was part of the Friends long term “Windows on the Loch’’ project to maintain views of Loch Lomond and complemented the lay-by litter bin pilot project that the Friends successfully introduced this summer.

John Urquhart, the Friends’ vice-chair, said: “With nesting long finished and the leaves going off the brambles, early November is a good time to carry out this kind of work and to get sunshine too was a real bonus which meant the volunteers were able to get more done in pleasant conditions.”

Jennifer Plunkett, the Friends’ new project officer, who coordinated the event, said: “This was the first time the Friends have been able to undertake an event of this nature since the Government’s relaxation of Covid combatting measures and it was really heartening to get such a good turnout including such good representation from the business community who have come through a torrid time over the past two years.’’

Volunteers from a wide area took part in the event and they were joined by staff and volunteers from Cruise Loch Lomond, Luss Estates, Terrenus Land and Water, Scottish Water and the National Park.

The Friends was established in 1978 to protect, promote and provide projects and services supporting the environment and the people who live across Loch Lomond and the Trossachs.

The charity is funded by the “Friends of OUR Park” visitor giving scheme which sees businesses and visitors make regular donations to support conservation, heritage, youth initiatives and access improvement works across the park.

For further information contact John Urqhuart on 07870654658 or Jennifer Plunkett on 07496 433134

2. Friends of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs was established in 1978 and is the only independent conservation and heritage charity working solely to protect, promote and provide projects and services for the area covered by the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

3. The Friends has a strong membership base and is supported by individuals and companies who are passionate about caring for and celebrating the special qualities of the area.

4. The Friends work in partnership with others to help make a difference and ensure current and future generations can enjoy the special scenic and heritage qualities of Scotland’s first National Park.

5. The Friends operate a successful Friends of OUR park visitor giving scheme with local businesses with thousands of visitors making donations to support conservation, heritage, youth initiatives and access improvement works in the National Park every year.

For more on the Friends’ Loch Lomondside litter bin pilot scheme, turn to page 14 of this week’s issue of the Reporter.