Last week I was sent this picture of a sign spotted outwith the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority Loch Chon campsite (see here) in Strathard. It is a con. The Scottish Government stated right from the start on the pandemic last year that our access rights as set out in the Land Reform Act were unaffected by the Covid regulations (see here). It was the liberty to travel that was severely curtailed and those restrictions of course have now been lifted. The Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority, however, still appears to be trying to use Covid-19 to make access to the National Park harder, not easier.
This would be indefensible at any time but with the large increase in visitors to the countryside is even more short-sighted and counterproductive. The Forestry and Land car park – the one behind the gate – used to provide the largest public car park in Strathard, ideally suited to campervans but also the best place to stop if you wanted to enjoy Loch Chon. Strathard lacks public toilets – although toilets are available at Stronachlachar Pier – but having installed flushing toilets in the campsite at great public expense, the LLTNPA wishes to deny these to other visitors. The LLTNPA Convener, James Stuart, used to be a Director of Enterprise Scotland. It is valid to ask just what enterprise this public authority has shown since he assumed the reins?
Meantime, down the road at Loch Ard, former Councillor and LLTNPA Board Member Fergus Wood has submitted a planning application (see here) to erect six “holiday” pods and accommodation for a site manager just before the main layby used by walkers up Ben Venue.
Five years ago, when a Board Member, Mr Wood had been in discussion with planning officials to create a campsite in this field (see here) but backed off the idea after considerable opposition by local people concerned about the impact on the landscape of the loch shore. The Planning Application states that in the pre-application discussion the agent acting on Mr Wood’s behalf was advised to refer to the Kinlochard Life Plan (see here). This plan was produced by the local community after a great deal of consultation in 2019. It contains zones where the local community believe that development might be appropriate and where it would not:
It appears that Mr Wood’s agents have ignored the plan completely and there is no justification for this that I can see. It will be interesting to see how the LLTNPA planners respond.
If I have one criticism of the Kinlochard Life Plan it is that it says little about infrastructure for visitors which I believe needs to be improved in Strathard and would help mitigate visitor impacts. Those improvements should include better parking, litter collection (which was identified as a major issue by the local community) and toilets but also more provision for overnight stays, whether for campervanners, campers or people wanting to stay in camping pods. There is still a need for a plan which does that, but I believe the local community is right, there has been enough development around the loch shore and Mr Wood needs to think again.
The toilet facilities at Loch Chon need to be open year round and available for all to use, from walkers to passing traffic, not just those staying at the campsite. The alternative parking area provided for non-campers is inadequate and frequently full to overflowing, while the original car park, now restricted to the campsite, is often half empty. Out of season the gate is locked preventing people from parking here at all which makes no sense whatsoever, especially when this could be providing much needed toilet facilities for the area.
Whether this would help the current situation in Kinlochard, remains to be seen. The number of day visitors using the community field this summer has had a huge impact on the village and its residents, with people parking along almost the entire length of the only narrow access road, blocking driveways, the entrance to the village hall and creating a hazard for children using the playpark. Trying to get in and out of the village on some days is near impossible, with car passengers having to stop traffic coming in, so they can get out. Bin lorries have been unable to get through on occasion and on some days it would be very difficult for emergency vehicles to get access and, at the very least, would be significantly delayed. Luckily the recent fire at the village hall happened late in the day and pre-peak season, when there were fewer people about.
There are no toilet facilities in the village which has led to the obvious problems, both in the village and surrounding areas, where it is a disgusting hazard to people and dogs. As day visitors are realistically not going to make a special journey into Aberfoyle, or even the mile or so to Loch Chon (should sense be seen), the only way this is going to be resolved is by the provision and regular maintenance of toilet facilities. Local views on this are mixed and understandably no-one wants blue portaloos dotted about the village but a small wood or brick built building discreetly sited away from full view would greatly help alleviate this issue, at least in the village itself. Surely a good use of the some of the extra money granted to the LLTNP? It has become fairly obvious people are going to come, regardless, so providing toilet facilities is unlikely to encourage more people, it will just make it more pleasant for visitors and residents alike.
I think this is spot on! Every village/settlement in the National Park should have public toilets, well-designed and maintained by our public authorities (it should not depend on local communities to do this though if our public authorities decided to pay a fair rate for the job to the local community to provide local employment that would be fine). On the car parking challenges, I think Strathard – like the road to Rowardennan – would be a good candidate for a minibus service in summer (linking with the steamer service up Loch Katrine and over to Inversnaid).
I passed by Loch Chon yesterday. The car parking area for day visitors just before the campsite was full and overflowing out onto the road. At the campsite itself, the ‘covid/fully booked’ sign was still up at the entrance, the gate was closed and the car park was completely empty except for the rangers vehicle! This was also a day with increased visitors to the area for the Gravelfoyle cycling event…