Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park - Welcome

Balloch & Haldane

This summary profile is taken from the Balloch & Haldane Community Action Plan published in 2008.

Location

Located at the southern end of Loch Lomond, Balloch & Haldane Community Council area comprises Balloch, Mill of Haldane and Jamestown on the edge of the of Vale of Leven and Dumbarton conurbation.
Balloch is the southern gateway to Lomond & The Trossachs National Park; it is a tourist hub and the home of the National Park Headquarters. This plan deals with the whole of Balloch & Haldane Community Council area, although not all of the community council area falls within the National Park.

Population

Census figures for 2001 show a population of 6137 people in the whole of the Community Council area with 2653 separate households, of these 875 households (2,280 people) are within the National Park boundary.
In 2001 the population of Balloch & Haldane Community Council area had very similar age structures to the national average while the proportion of young people aged 5 - 15 is greater than that for West Dunbartonshire.

Housing

Within Balloch and Haldane Community Council area, 34% of houses are either rented from the council or socially rented from other organisations. This is a higher percentage than the national average and significantly higher than the National Park.
The Mill of Haldane housing estate is currently going through a major regeneration project and the quality and design of housing is improving. There have been a number of private housing developments and new flats built in the community council area in the last 10 years.

Employment and The Local Economy

The majority of employers in Balloch and Jamestown are commercial enterprises. Most of these commercial enterprises are tourism and hospitality related with over 30 businesses. The second most significant sector is retail with 22 outlets. Public service is also significant with the Head Quarters of the National Park located in the community alongside other jobs in education, transport and environmental maintenance. People commute into and out of the area for work.

Roads and Transport

Balloch has good road, rail, bus and cycle connections and is the southern gateway to the National Park. The A82 dual carriageway connects to Glasgow and the central Scotland motorway system as well as north along Loch Lomondside. Balloch train station provides a link to the national rail network and Balloch also has a busy bus stance with bus services connecting throughout the area. Glasgow International Airport is 25 minutes drive away.

Community Organisations and Facilities

Balloch does not have a community centre. The three church halls are used by the wider community for a range of activities and functions, however these are running at capacity and it can be very difficult to get space. Thirty different community groups are active within the area and 14 of them use the church halls on a regular basis. Suitable meeting space is at a premium in the whole area.

Education

Balloch & Haldane Community Council area has 3 primary schools. There is no secondary school in the immediate area, the nearest being the Vale of Leven Academy in Alexandria and Our Lady’s & St Patrick’s High School in Dumbarton.

Health and Care Services

There are no doctor’s surgeries in the Balloch and Haldane Community Council area however GP services are available 2 miles away in Alexandria. The Vale of Leven hospital in Alexandria no longer has a 24hr Accident & Emergency Unit but does have a cardiac care unit. All services are currently under review and the most recently published recommendations from Greater Glasgow Health Board amount to virtual closure of our hospital.

Leisure and Recreation

The open spaces in and around Balloch provide a wide range of leisure and recreation opportunities for visitors and locals alike. Attractions include the recently improved Balloch Castle Country Park with play areas and renovated walled garden. The paddle steamer “Maid of the Loch” is currently being used as a restaurant and function suite until she is made ready to sail again.
Balloch Village has shops, hotels and restaurants, and importantly the Loch Lomond Shores development with its retail crescent, Aquarium and the National Park Gateway Centre.
Despite all of these attractions, lack of indoor wet weather recreational facilities limits the opportunity to make Balloch an all-weather year-round tourist destination.

Environment and Heritage

Loch Lomond and its surrounding hills provide a magnificent backdrop and opportunities to explore the countryside right on Balloch and Haldane’s doorstep.
Wildlife, especially water birds, congregate on the River Leven that flows through Balloch from the Loch to the Clyde. The river is noted for its fishing. The park landscape of Balloch Park provides a living link to the heritage of the area, including Balloch Castle which was built in 1808 by John Buchanan. Mill stones and sluice gates in the Mill of Haldane are a listed archeological site.

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