As the new Editor of this publication, I’d like to emphasise the importance of communication especially in these cyberspeed times. We now have "email" instead of "snail mail" and information can be disseminated at a far greater rate and with much improved efficiency by electronic means.
I know that some of our members may not be overjoyed at this turn of events but I also know that many of you have taken the new technology on board and are enjoying its side effects.
We have decided to change the format of the Newsletter by making it more colourful and adding some adverts to help defray the extra cost that this entails. We’d like to hear from members if they consider that this is an improvement or not on the previous policy.
In fact, I’d like to see a far greater involvement on the part of our members especially those in the immediate vicinity of the Loch who have more knowledge of domestic issues than members who live further afield. To this effect, I’ve added a Forum page to the FoLL website where you can make your views known and start discussions and there is also a Feedback page. I’d like to see these web pages being used and not only by members!
It was expected that this issue of the FoLL Newsletter would have a summary of the Park Plan which was to have been published in January but now we’re going to have to wait until 16th May for that.
In the meantime, we have the Byelaw Consultations to think about. Let’s hope that those of us in Scotland have already heard about these consultations – there has been plenty of media coverage – and that every household has obtained a copy of the "Policy Consultation on Loch Lomond Byelaws" and the "Seaplane byelaw consultation document".
Do make sure that your views are known to the National Park authorities by sending in the responses to the Park by 8th April 2005. You aren’t often asked for your opinions so when you are, you should give them!
There is, for those who are interested, a wealth of information available on the LLTNP website including names of members of the National Park Authority – do you know who represents your area?
In the past six months, members of the Executive Committee have attended many meetings where the views and approval of FoLL are wanted.
Last November, we attended a Conference given by The Natural History of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs at Glasgow University where groups interested in wildlife and conservation were gathered together "to take stock of the conservation issues of the National Park and learn what is being done to understand better the wildlife of the area". We heard about native woodlands, aquatic fauna, otters, feral goats, bird conservation and even recreation in the area to name but a few of the topics covered. It’s amazing to think that so many diverse groups are so passionate about this area and its conservation.
But what a pity "Tourists destroy what tourists want to see"
I’ve followed up some of these lectures by asking the lecturers to write an article for the Newsletter and, as you will read, a few of them have obliged me – Dr Colin Adams and Dr Simon Zisman. I hope you find these submissions as informative as I have.
And finally, a contentious issue ...
Many activities start with a bang and huge enthusiasm but there has to be a follow-up. Such is the case with the Archaeological Survey of the Islands which took place 10 years ago at enormous cost to the Friends of Loch Lomond, Dunbartonshire Enterprise, Scottish Natural Heritage, The National Trust and Historic Scotland. One of the many promises of the Interim Committee of the National Park was to make some attempt to reduce and repair the damage which has been done over the centuries to buildings on some of the islands. However, nary a spade nor a chainsaw has appeared in anger in the hands of any tree surgeon – thus the deterioration which had shocked so many, has continued for another 10 years
Let us know what you think of this Newsletter by writing, emailing, phoning, using the Forum or Feedback page on the Website.
Editor Carol Reid
Other articles in the Newsletter
1. Letter from the President, Dr Hannah Stirling.
2. Retirement of John Brown.
3. Professor Gavin Arneil becomes Hon Vice-President
4. Tom Weir's 90th Birthday.
5. The Bye-Law debate - RSPB Perspective.
6. Obituaries of Josephine Colquhoun and Molly Weir
7. The National Park Bye-Law Consultation - an article from the National Park.
8. Excavations at Mid-Ross 2003 -04.
9. Prof Gavin Arneil's discussion on the controversial articles published in the
Herald in December 2004.
10. Glasgow University Field Station at Rowardennan - the Campaign.
11. A couple of snippets regarding the Stoneymollan Roundabout and the Solar
Powered boat.
If you would like a copy of the Newsletter,
you could
(a) join the Friends of Loch Lomond and receive a copy.
Membership form
(b) send a cheque for £2 to the FoLL office, 63 West Princes street, Helensburgh, G84 8BN