National Park beauty spot gets an autumn clean up

The initiative was lead by the charity Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs - an independent conservation and heritage group for the Park.

The area near the Inversnaid Hotel is also close to an RSPB Nature Reserve, which is a popular beauty spot enjoyed by many thousands of West Highland Way walkers.

The volunteers came from a variety of walks of life including Luss Estates, Lloyds Banking Group and Scottish Water as well as motivated individuals. They were recruited by the Friends, The Mountains & The People project, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority and The Countryside Trust who work collaboratively on a range of volunteering events throughout the year in the National Park to make a difference.

On a day of challenging weather, Tarbet-based boat trip operator Cruise Loch Lomond provided complimentary travel and hot drinks for the volunteers, while Lochs and Glens Hotels, who own Inversnaid Hotel, provided much needed shelter when the weather took a turn for the worse.

The event was the latest Make a Difference Day to be led by the Friends, and followed on from a previous rhododendron removal event beside the A82 at Loch Lomond.

In recent years other Make a Difference Days have involved litter clearance and path improvements works at different locations around the National Park. Events have taken place in Arrochar and The Trossachs, with numerous volunteers and corporate bodies helping out to protect the landscapes of the National Park.

Friends Vice-Chairman John Urquhart, who was among the volunteers, said: “This was a very successful day and the work undertaken by the team of enthusiastic volunteers has made a real difference at a popular lochside beauty spot. Our volunteers always turn out in force for these types of events which make a huge contribution to augmenting the work of others in trying to keep some of the special places in the National Park in a good condition for visitors to enjoy. We are also extremely grateful to the organisations and business supporters with whom we joined forces to help make this event an undoubted success.”