Updates for Businesses – February

Plotting a map to the future – our new Local Development & Land Use Plan

We’re asking for help to help shape how land is used and developed in the National Park by taking part in our Call for Land, Sites, and Ideas.

We are preparing a new plan that will guide how land could be used and where development happens in the National Park from 2028 onwards.

At this early stage, we are inviting people to put forward land, sites and ideas to help inform that plan. No decisions are being made at this stage – we’re listening and gathering ideas and suggestions.

This could include ideas for development, land management, nature restoration, climate action, or other ways land could be used.

This call is open to anyone with an interest in the National Park, including:

• Developers
• Landowners and land managers
• Farmers and estate managers
• Businesses
• Community groups
• Individuals with a local idea or suggestion

Even if you are unsure whether your idea is relevant, we would still love to hear it! 

To support the engagement, we are hosting online briefing on 20 February 2026 at 13:00 to provide further information and an opportunity to ask questions. If you would like to register your interest in attending, please complete the form. A joining link will be shared with registered attendees nearer the time.

Up to £10 Million Funding Boost to Restore Woodlands and Support Local Communities in Scottish National Park

A welcome funding boost of up to £10 million to restore woodlands and support communities has been received by the National Park from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The initial funding of over £670,000 will be used to develop the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs Landscape Connections initiative, which could unlock a further £9.2 million to restore some of Scotland’s rarest woodlands and connect a wider woodland network covering an area more than twice the size of Glasgow, as well as  creating new opportunities for local communities and supporting rural economies.

The restoration work will focus on a rich mix of globally threatened native woodland, including temperate rainforest, ancient Caledonian pinewoods and upland woodland, with local communities being integral from the outset, helping to shape projects that matter to them, like:

• practical training and green job creation
• future proofing local sustainable businesses models
• nature-friendly land management and improved deer management, making local venison more profitable and sustainable
• places for people to connect with nature

Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “These precious habitats will be enhanced with National Lottery funding to deliver large-scale, long-term, support for nature recovery, connecting the rich cultural and natural heritage, and ensuring these special places are valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future.”

Simon Jones, Director of Environment and Visitor Services, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority said: “The Landscape Connections project is designed to deliver systemic, people-centred nature recovery, working alongside local communities, farmers, and visitors to build a sustainable future where nature recovery creates real opportunities – new jobs, thriving businesses, and healthy landscapes that benefit everyone.

Read on to find out more about this ambitious initiative.

Venture Scotland – changing young lives

Our quarterly all-staff meeting was made all the richer with guest speakers from Venture Scotland joining us at our Balloch HQ.

Venture Scotland are our organisation’s nominated charity of the year, and our staff were moved by a first-hand account of the amazing impact their work has from ambassador and former service user, Caitlin McPhee.

Caitlin said: “Before VS I lacked so much hope for my future and felt like I didn’t deserve a future. I was fighting a losing battle with addiction and my past. Venture Scotland showed me how to stay present and that my life was just as important as anyone else’s and that I could succeed.”

The Venture Scotland programme is an outdoor-based personal development course using activities like climbing, canoeing, and wilderness trips plus sessions on psychological theories to build confidence, resilience, and life skills.

Discover more about Venture Scotland’s life-changing work on their website and read inspiring stories from those whose lives have been transformed.

Visitor Management update

With the Summer Visitor Season fast approaching, our booking system will open for permit area pre-season booking on the 16th of February, in time for the Camping Management Byelaws starting on the 1st of March. Our campsites will open for bookings on the 1st of March for sites opening on the 1st of April.

We are currently in the process of reviewing our Camping Management Byelaws, looking at how the Byelaws have worked in practice since they were introduced in 2017, and whether any changes are needed for the future. There will be a public consultation on findings from July – September 2026.

Ranger service
The quieter winter months allow our Ranger Service to focus on supporting the wider work of the National Park Authority.  This has included engaging with our Volunteers, Junior Rangers and outreach groups to deliver conservation work, in particular removing invasive non-native species (INNS) and working with local schools on our ‘Nature Schools’ project – which this year is focussing on the water habitats network.  The Team has also been carrying out path inspections and maintenance work on our core path network.

Deployment planning, working with colleagues in the Estates Team to prepare sites for visitors, and the recruitment process for Seasonal Rangers are all underway.

Summer 2026 schedule of water safety events have also been planned; these events deliver important water safety advice to those coming to enjoy activities on, in or by our lochs and rivers.

Access
Re-profiling and repair work on Conic East to Burn of Mar is in progress until mid-May. Materials are already in situ, so no closures are planned, although there will be rolling micro-diversions for walkers to avoid work areas.

We will be working with Forestry and Land Scotland on repairs to the West Highland Way low path from north of Rowardennan to Rowchoish – including re-surfacing of washed-out surface, new timber steps and stone pitching, new boardwalk section and replacement of existing boardwalk.

Estates
Winter remains a busy time for the Estates Team, with a wide variety of tasks undertaken, including tackling further storm-damaged trees on the estate, re-hanging gates, repairing bridges and rebuilding stone walls, while sub-zero temperatures have seen many bags of salt applied to car parks, pathways and building surrounds to keep visitors safer.

Opportunities for businesses in the National Park

Argyll & Isles Tourism Summit 2026 
The annual Argyll & Isles Tourism Summit will take place on Thursday 19 March. This is an opportunity to contribute to shaping the future of the Argyll visitor economy. The Summit event brings the industry together to share insights, collaborate and plan for the next phase of sustainable growth, featuring industry experts, destination leaders and policy influencers, alongside interactive workshops and panel discussions tackling the real opportunities and challenges facing the region. This is your opportunity to:

• Connect directly with decision-makers, funders and peers driving change in our sector
• Shape the priorities that will guide destination development in the years ahead
• Exchange ideas, showcase innovation and strengthen your business network

Scotland Invited to Go “All In” for Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games
From the Highlands to the Lowlands, and from island communities to city centres, communities across Scotland are being invited to take part in a new nationwide programme designed to help everyone celebrate the build-up to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

With six months to go until Glasgow hosts the 23rd edition of The Games – All In is the official national call to action for Glasgow 2026, encouraging schools, community groups, sports clubs, cultural organisations, charities and businesses to mark the Games in their own locally led and inclusive way.  Activities can take many forms, from town-hall gatherings and school projects to pub watch-alongs, decorated shopfronts and family-friendly festivals. To find out more and to register your interest, visit About All In | Glasgow 2026

Thistle Awards 2026
Ahead of entries opening for the national tourism Thistle Awards, VisitScotland will be delivering a free webinar on Thursday 26 February, 2pm-2:30pm.discover what makes these awards different from any other in the industry and learn how to showcase your excellence, what judges are really looking for, how winning can bring real benefits to your business; and highlighting key dates you need to know to plan your entry with confidence.
Follow the link here for further details of all upcoming VisitScotland Bitesize webinars.

Free online support for Argyll and Bute businesses
Businesses in Argyll and Bute can benefit from a wide programme of free online support thanks to a series of expert-led webinars being run by Business Gateway. The webinars are designed to help local enterprises start, sustain, and grow, and cover a wide range of topics essential for running a modern business, including:

• Digital marketing – helping businesses boost their online presence, reach new audiences, and promote their services more effectively.
• Book‑keeping – offering clear, practical guidance to help business owners manage their accounts with confidence.
• Selling online in 2026 – practical ideas on how to sell more effectively online.
• Plus many more sessions on key areas of business development, skills building, and operational support.

These flexible, easy‑to‑access online sessions are open to entrepreneurs at every stage of their business journey – from those just starting out, to established business owners wanting to develop new skills or explore new opportunities.