Geography
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park encompasses around 720 sq miles (1,865 sq km) of some of the finest scenery in Scotland. Spectacular lochs, rivers and waterfalls are central to the beauty and culture of the area and its world renowned scenery has inspired artists and writers for centuries and is enjoyed by millions of visitors year on year.
The breath-taking landscapes of the National Park attract more than 4 million visitors each year, and our visitor research tells us:
- Sightseeing is the main activity followed by walking.
- A significant proportion of visitors come for active sport.
- Eating out and cultural heritage are areas which require development to become greater attractors for visitors.
- Around 60% of our visitors are from Scotland, groups of families and friends on a day visit.
The landscape of the National Park has been influenced throughout history by human activities such as farming, forestry and estate management as well as recreation and housing requirements. These competing demands can often have a negative impact on the National Park and lead to conflict between different user groups.
Watch our video on land use
Resources
The following information about the National Park can support Geography teachers to deliver lessons on land use and conflict management. These suggested hyperlinks can give students an opportunity to process and analyse this type of data themselves.
- The Great Trossachs Forest – one of the most significant native woodland projects in the UK for a generation. You can download educational resources specifically designed for Secondary School pupils and covering a range of elements within the Curriculum for Excellence including geography, expressive arts and biology. This pre-prepared resource is a good source of inspiration for environmental, literacy, numeracy and cooperative learning themes and can be taught in the classroom or to facilitate outdoor learning.
- Rural Land Use Pack – Conflict & Resolution – The National Park combines an internationally important environment with a fragile rural economy and a renowned visitor destination. Find out about how we manage the conflicts this brings in our new education pack.
- Geography padlet – This resources features information on a wide variety of topics regarding visitor management, sustainable tourism and landscapes in the National Park.