Updates for Businesses – November

Loch Lomond Byelaws

Changes to the Loch Lomond Byelaws came into force on the 1st of November to further improve public safety and reduce irresponsible behaviour on the loch.

The previous byelaws were recently reviewed and a 12-week public consultation was held on proposed changes. As a result, the byelaws were strengthened and key changes have been introduced, including – under 16s must wear life jackets or buoyancy aids when on any moving vessel. This includes boats, canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and any other vessel on the water, whether it has an engine or not.

Kenny Auld, our Head of Visitor Services said: “Our Ranger Team patrols Loch Lomond on a daily basis and while the vast majority of engagement with loch users is positive, it is also important to have an effective deterrent to irresponsible behaviour.”

New National Park Consultation

NatureScot has opened the formal (statutory) consultation on whether a new National Park should be established in Galloway and parts of South and East Ayrshire.

The consultation looks at what a potential new Park might consist of, and also seeks to gauge opinion on the proposal.

Public events across the area will be facilitated by independent consultants on behalf of NatureScot, ensuring that people are supported to share their thoughts and opinions in a positive environment.

NatureScot will then provide Ministers with a report and analysis of all views expressed throughout this consultation process, with the Scottish Government making a decision on whether there will be a Galloway National Park.

The consultation will run until 14 February 2025.

Bracklinn Falls Bridge

We are delighted to announce that the Bracklinn Falls Footbridge has been announced as the winner of the Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge category at the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE) Awards 2024. This global recognition highlights the exceptional design, engineering, and significance of the bridge within the National Park.

Nestled in one of the most beloved and frequently visited areas of the National Park near Callander, the Footbridge was officially completed in February 2023, providing spectacular views of the Bracklinn Falls and a means to complete the full Bracklinn Falls Circuit. Its innovative design not only enhances the visitor experience but also embodies the National Park’s commitment to sustainability, accessibility, and excellence in public space infrastructure.

Stuart Mearns, Director of Place for Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority, commented on the award:

“We are really proud that Bracklinn Falls Footbridge has been recognised with this prestigious global award as the Best Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge. This accolade is a testament to the vision and hard work of everyone involved in this project, from the engineers and designers to the local community who supported its development. Bracklinn Falls is a much-loved National Park location, and this investment underscores our commitment to enhancing key sites within the park as part of our Place Programme. We are thrilled to see our efforts resonate at an international level.”

Virtual Careers Room

Earlier this month we marked #GreenCareersWeek by launching a virtual careers room, where our colleagues talk about their role, explain what it is about working for the National Park that makes it so special, and how we are united in working to achieve our climate and nature goals, no matter what our area of expertise.

Beyond Green Careers Week, this is a great rescource if you are thinking about applying for a future vacancy with us, where you can find out what it’s like to work with an organisation that is dedicated to inspiring our communities, visitors and partners to protect this very special place.

Visitor Management Update

Ranger Service
During the quieter visitor months, the Ranger Service switches focus to supporting wider National Park priorities, carrying out route inspections, light touch maintenance, and delivering nature and climate outcomes. Meanwhile, the boat team works on preparations for next year, including installing and maintaining of navigation buoys.

As always, Rangers continue to support education and outreach work through our school’s programme, engaging with pupils on a variety of topics, like water safety and responsible visiting.

An important part of the Ranger Service’s work is engagement and inspiring action, and one way they achieve this is by working with volunteers. They have a full volunteering programme set for the next 12 weeks, which covers path maintenance, invasive non-native species removal, Wild Strathfillan tree nursery planting, wetland bird surveys, and litter picking.

Alongside all this practical work, the team has already begun its strategic planning ahead of the 2025 visitor season. This involves applying learnings and feedback from the 2024 season to create deployment models, plan seasonal recruitment, and prepare training and induction programmes.

Visitor Management 
There have been changes to some facilities winter opening. Inveruglas toilets are now closed for maintenance. Firkin Point and Rowardennan toilets are also closed. Milarrochy Bay toilets remain open when they would usually be closed during the winter months. Balmaha Visitor Centre is now open on Saturday and Sunday only.

Infrastructure and development
The redevelopment works at our visitor site at Tarbet is on track to be finished this winter. When the site is fully reopened it will offer motorhome black and grey waste disposal, along with Aires-styled motorhome spaces during the winter season.

Other news or opportunities for National Park businesses

Visitor Levy
The Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024 was recently passed by the Scottish Parliament, and gives local authorities discretionary powers to introduce a visitor levy in their area, for visitors staying in overnight accommodation, with the aim of generating a revenue stream that is specifically for the benefit of the visitor economy. Guidance on the Visitor Levy for Local Authorities has been published.

Stirling Council, Perth & Kinross Council and West Dunbartonshire Council are yet to publish information regarding their plans to progress with a visitor levy.  Argyll & Bute Council have progressed early actions towards a visitor levy scheme and further information for the area can be found here.

We will continue to update on the progress being made by the local authorities that comprise the National Park through our Business in The Park emails in the coming months.

Quality Assurance Schemes
Following a recent announcement by VisitScotland regarding the retirement of the current Quality Assurance scheme, the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions (ASVA) has announced plans to launch a new scheme in April 2025, owned and guided by the industry that will be open to all ASVA members of the current scheme.

This new ASVA Scheme aims to commit to world-class standards by adopting international best practices, and for the quality scheme to be globally recognised.

Other Quality Assurance schemes include ‘Visitor Ready’, which is a free accreditation scheme for hospitality, leisure and tourism businesses. This is a self-assessment online process which allows businesses to evidence compliance with UK legislation for the sector. Once approved, business can display the Visitor Ready logo in marketing activity and within premises.

The AA also offer a quality assessment and award for the hospitality sector, championing quality standards and providing a recognisable brand and established quality assurance award to promote your business.

Business Energy Scotland
Business Energy Scotland offer a free range of guides, videos and case studies will help you keep your heating bills low, and buildings warm this winter.  Heating our workplaces to comfortable levels is essential, but it is also a big expense. The guides provide useful advice to reduce inefficiencies and decrease your carbon footprint. They also provide free and impartial advice and access to funding to help make some bigger changes too.

Cycling Workshops
The Loch Lomond & the Trossachs Countryside Trust are inviting communities and businesses across Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park to join an online community forum on Thursday 28th November 2024 from 7pm – 9pm on all things cycling and active travel related.  Active Travel Officer, Jim Riach will discuss opportunities, from events, ebike loans, welcoming cyclists, and new ways to connect our communities through wheeling, walking and cycling.

UK Government Workplace Charging Scheme
The Workplace Charging Scheme is open to businesses and public sector organisations that meet the eligibility criteria for grants to cover up to 75% of the total costs of the purchase and installation of electric vehicle (EV) charge-points. Apply before of 31 March 2025.

Brown Tourist Signs
VisitScotland’s brown tourist signs are widely recognised around Scotland and provide visitors with clear and consistent directions to their destination. A new process is now in place for businesses that have not been in the Quality Assurance Scheme to be able to apply for a letter of accreditation to take to their local authority to apply for Brown Signage.