Balquhidder, Lochearnhead & Strathyre
This summary profile is taken from the Balquhidder, Lochearnhead & Strathyre Community Action Plan published in 2008.
Location
The Balquhidder, Lochearnhead and Strathyre (BLS) Community Council area includes the villages of Balquhidder, Lochearnhead and Strathyre. It is approx 30 miles north west of Stirling, 40 miles from Perth and approx 60 miles from both Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Population
The population has grown over the last 15 years from around 500 to over 700 based on the 2001 census. This increase can probably be attributed in the main to the new housing development in the area.
Housing
The area has very high levels of owner occupation. In addition, 50 houses have been built by Rural Stirling Housing Association to provide a better mix of affordable, rented and shared ownership tenures. Increase in house prices and numbers of second homes make it difficult for first time buyers to get on the property ladder.
Employment & The Local Economy
Over 60% of local business is tourist related, with 51% being providers of accommodation, only 29% are local shops or services. There is an evenly balanced number of businesses throughout the three villages, however, since 2002 local businesses have decreased in Balquhidder but increased in both Lochearnhead and Strathyre.
Education & Training
There are two Primary Schools in the area; Strathyre has a role of 40 and Lochearnhead a role of 9. Children from Balquhidder travel by bus to school in Strathyre.
There is no Secondary School in the area therefore High School pupils travel to McLaren High School in Callander or private schools outwith the area.
The nearest pre-school nursery is in Killin and currently there are 10 children attending from the area. Balquhidder, Lochearnhead and Strathyre Kids Club, which provided after-school care, recently closed due to lack of funds.
The Breadalbane Virtual Learning Centre is a community run project providing individual, group and business ICT training, Internet Learning Cafes across Breadalbane.
Further education can be accessed at Universities and Colleges in Stirling, Falkirk, Clackmannan, Perth, Dundee, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Health and Social Care
Residents have to travel to medical practices in Callander, Killin or Comrie. Presently residents can access hospitals in Perth and Stirling; however from 2009 the new acute hospital will open in Larbert, which means that residents will have to travel an additional 20 miles. Dental Care is provided outwith the area in Callander, Comrie and Crieff, and District Nurses operate from Killin and Callander.
There is no local provision of Day Care, Respite Care, Residential or Nursing Homes. The Balquhidder, Lochearnhead & Strathyre Lunch Club provides an opportunity to get together for all ages, and has been running for the last 8 years.
Community Facilities & Activities
All three villages have Village Halls, which are well used for a variety of clubs and events and are seen as a focal point for community activities.The Auchraw Youth Club meets in Lochearnhead Hall weekly and gives the
opportunity for members to play a variety of sports. There is also a community park in
Strathyre which has a tennis court and play facilities but both these need upgrading.
The nearest indoor sports centre is in Callander.
Environment & Outdoor Recreation
The whole area is renowned for its spectacularly beautiful scenery, plants and wildlife. It is a magnet for those who wish to enjoy the outdoor environment walking, fishing, water sports, shooting and cycling.There are two major walking routes that run through the area ‘Rob Roy Way’ and ‘West HighlandWay’ and the newly constructed Sustrans Cycle Route 7 follows the route of the old railway line. The area also has a number of Munros and Corbets for the more energetic.
Loch Earn is the biggest Loch in the area at 6.5 miles long and a major water sports
centre. The 3.5 mile long Loch Lubnaig lies to the west of the village of Strathyre
and Loch Voil, 4 miles long, on the edge of the village of Balquhidder.
Heritage
The lochs, rivers and glens are steeped in history attracting visitors from all over the world. Some of the important historical features are:- Balquhidder Church and the grave of Rob Roy McGregor
- Balquhidder has been the home to the McLaren Clan since the 12th century
- The Queen of Lochearn Steamer operated until the Second World War
- The heritage of the railway