ent
of the days when Auchendarroch was opened to the public under the Scottish
Gardens scheme, we walked in her lovely gardens and enjoyed her company –
thank you Hannah.I’m pleased to announce that we have had a very favourable response from many members about the Newsletter so we will continue to communicate with Friends in this way. There has been more action on the Forum of the Website, not all of it complimentary, about our efforts to maintain the beauty of Loch Lomond as is our remit but the Friends have never been afraid of a bit of controversy and are happy to meet it head on and make our views known.
We have been open to suggestions from members regarding many topics and recently a member at the AGM asked that we have more official meetings throughout the year apart from the AGM and the Balfunning Christmas event which has, regrettably, had to be cancelled this year.
We have run a program of walks/talks for two years now and reported on them briefly in the Forum. Last year, about 20 went to Inchcailloch and some 12 of our members met at Stuckgowan and walked the Tarbet Isle path in the rain. The third meeting was cancelled due to lack of support.
This year, around 16 met at Inveruglas and crossed over to Inversnaid on the Hotel ferry. We had coffee and an interesting talk and slideshow from Tracy Livingstone of the Feral Goat Society followed by Duncan Cameron, the RSPB Ranger at the Nature Reserve and Nick Chambers the Reserve Manager. We then followed the path round the Nature Reserve and enjoyed the bluebells which were still in bloom at that time – but nary a goat did we see!
Inversnaid Hotel provided us with an excellent lunch before we were ferried
across the water again. Hannah Stirling, our President, had suggested that we
call in at Auchendarroch for tea and her signature shortbread; so on a sunny
afternoon, reminiscent
of the days when Auchendarroch was opened to the public under the Scottish
Gardens scheme, we walked in her lovely gardens and enjoyed her company –
thank you Hannah.
The second advertised walk was an "expedition" to find the Rock of the British.
That day only George, our former Chairman, turned up to join me. It was quite a hilly climb but not too difficult and it stayed dry and was very enjoyable. The next one is due to meet at Millenium Hall Gartocharn and will be well over by the time this is published. For a report on its success, I recommend that you visit the website.
UPDATE - I met up with Rhona Weir on a stormy morning in September and we sat in the car at the Car Park, waiting to see if anyone would appear looking for a walk. No-one did so we decided to cancel and went back to Rhona's for coffee and a chat.
To answer some queries which have come up recently about our activities, we have some projects on hand at this time but cannot publish details until all permissions have been given.
Our new Chairman, Rowena Ferguson, hopes to address some of the issues which are facing us at this time not least of which is the lack of help which has been available in recent years for the many admin tasks which are necessary within any organisation. A report on the decisions made in this area will appear next year and be announced at the AGM in May.
Page 4/5 Annual General Meeting - Minutes of the 28th GM held at Cameron House on 8th May 2006.
Page 6 Obituary - Tom Weir.
Page 7 Quiz
Page 8/9 Colquhoun was drowned - Part 2.
Page 10 - Loch Lomond Steamers
Page 12/13 Visit to Carrick Golf Club
Page 14/15 Rossdhu House - continuing the series featuring the Great Houses around the Loch
The booklet produced for visitors to Rossdhu House when it was open to the public.
Page 16 The Solar Boat and the Loch Lomond Aquarium