PUPILS from Hermitage Academy helped to plant 40 trees in Balloch Castle Country Park recently to mark the 40th anniversary of an independent conservation charity.

Four decades on from the inaugural meeting of the Friends of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs in the Balloch Hotel, pupils from the school, along with others from Hermitage Academy in Helensburgh, lent a hand with the charity’s ongoing conservation efforts.

To recognise their hard work, Helensburgh’s MSP, Jackie Baillie, presented the pupils with Young Conservation Volunteer certificates at the event.

Ms Baillie told the Advertiser: “I was delighted to take part in this event and it was great to see the enthusiasm of local schoolchildren planting trees around the edge of the walled garden in Balloch Castle Country Park which was at its spectacular best bathed in glorious autumnal colours.

“This was a very fitting way to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the pioneering Friends conservation charity who have done so much over the years to protect and enhance the special qualities of Loch Lomond and the wider area for the benefit of people and nature.’’

The Friends group, which was set up in 1978, was at the forefront of the campaign to secure National Park status for Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, which reached a successful conclusion with the establishment of Scotland’s first National Park in the area by the Scottish Parliament in 2002.

Annually they support many projects with funding raised through the Friends of OUR Park visitor giving scheme and donations from many individuals and businesses, including at present the effort to create a family friendly path linking Helensburgh, Luss and Arrochar.

James Fraser, the Friends’ chairman, said: “It is a fine testament to the late and energetic Dr Hannah Stirling MBE, the late Professor Gavin Arneil and other founding members that the Friends is still a vibrant organisation, as relevant today as it was back in 1978, upholding the original vision of trying to make a difference and helping to care for what is a very special place enjoyed by millions of people from home and overseas.’’

For more information on the Friends’ conservation efforts, call 01389 727761, email info@lochlomondtrossachs.org.uk or visit www.lochlomondtros sachs.org.uk.