Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park - Welcome

Drymen

This summary profile is taken from the Drymen Community Action Plan published in 2007.

Location

Drymen is just off the A811 Stirling to Balloch road, approximately 10 miles east of Balloch, and is the gateway to the east side of Loch Lomond. Drymen is the main settlement within the Community Council area but the numerous farms and hamlets in the surrounding countryside contribute greatly to the diversity and attractiveness of the area.

Population

Census figures for 2001 show a population of 946 people within the Drymen Community Council area. In 2001 the age structure of the population showed Drymen had a higher percentage of people over retirement age than was found regionally or nationally. However Drymen Primary School recorded 17 new pupils last year and the school attribute this to younger families moving into houses that were previously occupied by older people. Drymen Health Centre has also noticed an increase in the number of younger families registering with them over the last few years.

Housing

There are 433 houses of which 75% are owner occupied. Only 14% of housing is socially rented. The desirability of the area for commuters and second home and holiday lets and the resultant rise in house prices makes it difficult to cater for local housing needs.

Employment and The Local Economy

32% of the economically active population in Drymen work full-time. It is estimated that a high proportion of this figure will actually be commuting to Glasgow/Stirling and beyond. Within the village the principal employment is tourism and hospitality in hotels, B&B’s, pubs and restaurants and retail and services. Historically agriculture and forestry were the principal employers.
They still are a vital element in the local economy. Local knowledge indicates that over half of the workforce employed in the tourist and hospitality industry need to travel into the village to work.
Drymen has a higher number of self employed than the regional or national average and many small businesses operate from home. The availability of suitable space for small business within the area is limited.

Community Organisations and Facilities

There are over 25 active clubs and societies including country dancing, football, badminton, Brownies, walking club, bowling, golf, the WRI, petanque and many others. Community facilities include a village hall and a planned extension to Drymen Church, along with a mountain rescue post.

Education

There is a primary school in the village and a secondary school in Balfron.

Health and Care Services

Drymen Health Centre provides primary health care to the community. The centre has plans to expand to provide more services. The centre has a community nurse who works with elderly housebound patients. There are no designated care homes or nursing homes in the immediate area, the nearest are in Balfron and Strathblane.

Environment

Much of the land immediately surrounding Drymen is primarily farmland divided into small fields by dry stone dykes. The wider countryside is made up of lochs, rivers, moorland, forests and mountains. Drymen is on the NCR7 (part of the National Cycle Route system) and at the start of the Rob Roy Way to Pitlochry and close to the West Highland Way long distance footpath to Fort William. The Drymen Paths Group has produced a leaflet detailing 8 routes around Drymen for walkers, cyclists and horses.

Heritage

Drymen’s name is said to be derived from the Gaelic word ‘druim’ meaning settlement on the ridge. Its origin is thought to be due to its position at the junction of early communication routes. During the 18th and 19th centuries Drymen had a pivotal position as a stopover for Highland cattle drovers travelling from Inverbeg to the cattle market at Falkirk. In the 19th century Drymen settled down as a small market village strongly associated with Buchanan Castle and Estate. Drymen and District Historical Society is very active investigating and recording a wide range of heritage topics.    

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