Loch Lomond volunteers make a difference in clean-up bid

The clean-up event at the Tom Weir mountain garden at Balmaha was organised by conservation charity the Friends of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs with support from the National Park Authority.

The volunteers were a very willing and enthusiastic group who worked hard to complete a general tidy-up of the garden and immediate surroundings and planted 150 heathers on November 20.

After lunch and to make the most of the beautiful day, chair of the group John Urquhart took some of the volunteers on a guided walk along the West Highland shore-side path and returned to Balmaha over the Druim Nan Buraich.

Volunteers at work in the Tom Weir garden (Image: Friends of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs) He said: “We would like to thank each of the volunteers for all their hard work and the National Park Authority for providing tools and equipment.

"We would also like to thank the Oak Tree Inn who kindly provided a much-appreciated lunch which was enjoyed by all.

"The litter-picking equipment was not needed as there was hardly a scrap of litter to be found."

The Friends successfully applied for a Volunteering Matters Action Earth Grant, with funding provided by Naturescot, which will help to pay for the new plants.

It is now ten years since the Tom Weir’s Rest picnic site was opened and some of the wooden interpretation panels are starting to rot.

The Friends are planning to replace these and are applying for funding in order to do this.

Anyone who would like to donate towards replacing the panels or become a member of the Friends group is asked to visit their website at lochlomondtrossachs.org.uk.