Loch Lomond Victory!

Published on 25/10/2012

Sustained pressure from boating users of Britain's largest inland body of water, expressed through an official consultation process, have forced the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority to defer their unpopular proposals to restrict access to the lake's islands.  To do this they are "separating the bylaw process for the islands from that of the main navigational bylaws". In the meantime the current unrestricted access to islands, with existing ranger supervision, will continue.

The Loch Lomond Association, which represents all Loch users, has observed: "There is no doubt this outcome is a major disaster for the NPA's ridiculously draconian SPA Islands plans, and along with so much recent adverse press and media coverage they must be reeling internally". RYA Scotland also played a part in the consultation process, and BMF Scotland has been involved in supporting the Loch Lomond Association.

The Park Authority has presided over a decline in boating activity over the past three years, partly due to their unhelpful attitude to recreational boating, including imposition of charges and poor access provision, all due to their under-estimate of the value of boating to the local economy.