Luss & Arden
This summary profile is taken from the Luss and Arden Action Plan published in 2008.
The village of Luss lies just south of the mouth of Glen Luss on the western shore of Loch Lomond. Arden is situated at the southern end of Loch Lomond in fertile agricultural land. Occupying a charming site in front of three of the finest islands on the loch and offering stunning views across to Ben Lomond, the area is renowned for its beauty and tranquillity. Luss is situated just off the A82, 8 miles from Balloch and approx 25 miles from Glasgow on the western side of the loch. Luss and Arden is an important part of the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park experience and has been described as the “Jewel in the Crown” of Loch Lomond. The area is a paradise for wildlife both on and off the loch.
Population
The population of the Luss & Arden area was in consistent decline in the years from 1801 till 1960. In the decades since 1960 these numbers have fluctuated and though they have not increased significantly the speed of their decrease has slowed. The resident population in 2001 was 450. Numbers of young people aged under 20 years are significantly below national and regional figures. The percentage of residents aged over 45 is higher than the national average, in line with other national park communities.
The population of the Luss & Arden area was in consistent decline in the years from 1801 till 1960. In the decades since 1960 these numbers have fluctuated and though they have not increased significantly the speed of their decrease has slowed. The resident population in 2001 was 450. Numbers of young people aged under 20 years are significantly below national and regional figures. The percentage of residents aged over 45 is higher than the national average, in line with other national park communities.
Housing
There are approximately 190 households in the area. Of this number there is an above National Park and Scotland-wide percentage (26%) of private rented housing in Luss and Arden (Luss Estates has X units) and a comparatively low percentage (45%) owner occupied housing.
There are approximately 190 households in the area. Of this number there is an above National Park and Scotland-wide percentage (26%) of private rented housing in Luss and Arden (Luss Estates has some units) and a comparatively low percentage (45%) owner occupied housing.
Employment and the Local Economy
Traditionally a quarrying and farming area, local employment is today more reliant on the tourism industry. Local employment figures indicate that there are high numbers of self employed people in the Luss & Arden area.
Education
There has been a school on the site of the primary school since 1794. The current school in the village has a roll of 23 at present. There are no facilities for physical education at the school; the children are taken to the village hall once a week for PE and dance classes. The majority of secondary age pupils attend Hermitage Academy in Helensburgh, travelling through daily by bus.
Health
A doctor’s surgery is held in the village hall on a Wednesday. Outside these hours local people travel to the surgery in Alexandria in the Vale of Leven. Luss services include: monthly visit from the Chiropodist, weekly visits from the Health Visitor and the services of District Nurse. Dental services are available in Alexandria & Helensburgh.
Hospital & Acute Services
During the day the Vale of Leven hospital offers a minor A & E unit, at a distance of 11 miles. The nearest A&E services are at Paisley Royal Alexandra Hospital 25 miles away.
Community Facilities
Village Hall: The community has an ageing community hall in Luss village built in 1894. The Village Hall Committee has been set up to raise funds for the renovation the hall and has raised £200,000 to date. The hall accommodates clubs and local activities including the doctor’s surgery. National Park Centre: The Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Centre situated at the visitor car park in Luss village. Church: Luss village has a beautiful church with a fascinating graveyard. It is extremely popular with visitors to the area. In recent years the church itself has become a popular wedding venue with people coming from all over the world to be married there. Pilgrimage Centre: The Pilgrimage centre opened in 2004. It provides:
- Heritage room in which to welcome the thousands of visitors who visit Luss and the Church every year.
- Touch screen computers telling the story of Luss using the voices of local people.
- Workshops offering candle making and pottery classes for locals and visitors
- Computer and video room providing broadband for local people.
- Meeting rooms for community groups
Outdoor Leisure and Recreation
There are a number of footpaths and advertised walks in the community as well as access to the Luss Hills, with cycle paths and a circular trail through Luss village. There is also a children’s play park (currently with limited facilities) in the village and a picnic area near the beach. Down by the pier there are speed boat trips and cruise boat trips with waterskiing and canoeing clubs that also use the Loch. A new bridge has been erected over the Luss river with the help of the Royal Engineers which has created access to the Glebe.
Environment & Heritage
Agriculture: There are 11 tenanted farms in Luss and Arden; 10 of the farmers are tenants of Luss Estates and one is a tenant on the Arden Estate. 10 of the farms are hill-sheep farms, with the other a dairy farm.
Forestry: The majority of the rest of the land is under forestation, with a current plan of felling and ultimately replanting. Planting practices have changed over the years and the planting programmes carried out by Luss Estates are now much more focussed on amenity woodland with mixed planting as opposed to traditional conifer planting.
Natural History: Many of the farms rear sheep (mostly Scottish Blackface) with only one farm breeding Highland Cattle. In Loch Lomond, salmon, trout, pike, perch, powan, and eels are plentiful. There is also a wide range of raptors, the commonest being buzzards, with eagles nesting in the more remote parts. Red deer are numerous, as are roe deer although red deer face vigorous culling. Foxes are also plentiful. The Statistical Account of 1791 listed 21 ‘Quadrupeds’ including mammals such as the polecat, wildcat and pine marten. Today there are approximately 31 native and established mammal species that occur in the area.
Flora & Fauna: Lomond & The surrounding countryside support a wide variety of flora and fauna. Over 500 flowering plants and ferns occur in or around Loch Lomond due, in large part, to its mild oceanic climate, the geology and topographical diversity of the area. The mountains, moorlands, woodlands, waterside and wetland habitats enable some 200 species of birds to frequent the area.
Other environmental issues: The area covered by the Luss and Arden Community Council contains a number of areas set aside as SSSI’s or Sites of Special Scientific Interest. The Loch Lomondside SSSI’s are designated primarily because of the presence of old sessile oak woods. Celebrating local Heritage: Luss and Arden has a well supported Heritage group which meets on the last Tuesday of every month in the Luss Pilgrimage Centre. It is open to local people who are interested in the valuable heritage of the area and was established so that local people could bring their old photographs to be copied and local stories preserved for future generations. Regular events are held with visiting speakers throughout the year.
Some features that make Luss special include:
- Archeological evidence of 1500 years of continuous Christianity recently discovered at Bronze age settlement at Midross, Arden.
- 9th Century Viking hogback gravestone.
- Remains of the 6th Century St Kessogs monastery on Incht
- Victorian mansions throughout Arden
- Top class golf venue
- Luss has its own TV station for the village and surrounding area