Local Board Elections 2026: Candidate Information
Ballot papers for the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park local board elections are now with voters. If you live within the National Park boundary, are aged 16+ and registered to vote, you should have received your ballot paper by post. All ballots must be returned by 9 July 2026.
Wards 1, 3 and 4 (contested)
Households in Wards 1 (Cowal and North Loch Lomond), 3 (Callander) and 4 (East Loch Lomond and Port of Menteith) will have received a ballot paper and a copy of the full candidate statements for their ward. Please return your ballot paper by 9 July via the pre-paid envelope provided.
If you have not received your ballot paper, please contact Stirling Council.
Wards 2 and 5 (uncontested)
In Wards 2 (Breadalbane and the Trossachs) and 5 (West Loch Lomond and Balloch), there was one valid nomination for each ward. As a result, David Fettes (Ward 2) and Louise Ewing (Ward 5) will be confirmed by Stirling Council as the representatives for their wards on 9 July. Households in Wards 2 and 5 will not receive a ballot paper.
If you would like to know more about this process, please contact Stirling Council.
Meet the candidates
Here is a short summary of who is standing in each ward, and why they put themselves forward. Full candidate statements have been sent to all eligible households in contested wards.
Ward 1 – Cowal and North Loch Lomond
Helen Burton
“I would like to join the board to put my experience to good use… I would love to serve the community here by championing the Authority and sharing its work with the wider community.”
Gordon Holm
“I am a lover of nature, actively involved with several local organisations, with an understanding of current wildlife and ecological pressures… I believe I could make a positive contribution to Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority.”
Shonny Iain Paterson
“Protecting our environment while supporting sustainable communities is very important to me. Housing, transport and support for local businesses remain key priorities.”
Ward 2 – Breadalbane and the Trossachs (one candidate only – no ballot paper will be issued)
David Fettes
“My involvement with the National Park Authority comes from a genuine love of this area and its natural environment… I’ve tried to approach my work with the understanding that communities within the Park are an essential part of that landscape.”
Ward 3 – Callander
Jack Black
“I would like to join the Board as this would allow me to use my skills and life experience to promote the area I was born and brought up in to both visitors and locals.”
Richard Johnson
“I am well placed to represent Callander on the Board through my long-term involvement with the Callander community and the past 4 years on the Board.”
Daisy King
“I believe it is important that local voices are represented in decisions affecting the future of the National Park. I would bring enthusiasm, a strong work ethic, and a genuine commitment to both people and nature.”
Ward 4 – East Loch Lomond and Port of Menteith
Dave Arcari
“My community involvement across the ward, interaction with visitors and ability to listen to and empathise with the views and concerns of those living, working and running businesses within the area… would allow me to make considerable contribution as an elected board member.”
Gregor Cameron
“I consider myself very fortunate to have been brought up in this area and hope it will remain the same beautiful place we all share, for the next generation.”
David Mackie
“Over the next four years, I would like to ensure that people’s experience of the National Park is a positive one… they should feel listened to, treated fairly and shown respect.”
Ward 5 – West Loch Lomond and Balloch (one candidate only – no ballot paper will be issued)
Louise Ewing
“I want to contribute to a future where our area remains a great place to live and work, where nature is protected and restored, and where decisions are made transparently and collaboratively.”
Information for candidates
Communities across the National Park are already feeling the effects of the climate emergency and nature crisis. And the area faces rural challenges like access to affordable housing and joined-up public transport. This makes our work more important than ever.
Every four years, an election is held to decide five members of the National Park Authority’s Board, voted for by residents of the National Park using a postal ballot. The candidate with the most votes in each ‘ward’ is elected to join the National Park Board.
For the 2026 cycle, applications to stand as a candidate were open on Stirling Council’s website from 15th May until 4th June 2026 for people aged 21+ (Elections Order of 2002). Eligibility allowed individuals to put themselves forward for election across one of the five distinct ‘electoral wards’ on the Board.
With nominations now officially closed, the process moves to the electorate. The election will take place with votes cast by postal ballot on 9th July 2026.
There are five distinct wards in which candidates were eligible to stand for election. One Board member will be elected to represent each individual ward.
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- Cowal and North Loch Lomond
- Breadalbane and the Trossachs
- Callander
- East Loch Lomond and Port of Menteith
- West Loch Lomond and Balloch
Candidates with genuine curiosity, commitment, and care for people, and for nature, are central to the role. The Board requires members who reflect the diversity of Scotland – individuals with lived experience, community insight, specialist knowledge, or leadership from any sector. Different voices aren’t just welcomed – they’re essential to the process.
Local board members help to:
- Guide the overall direction of the National Park Authority
- Help set out our goals and plans to achieve them
- Make important decisions about planning, access and other issues
- Speak up for the National Park Authority and represent it to others
- Monitor how the organisation is performing and using its resources
Each local board member brings a unique mix of experience, perspective, and strengths – there is no requirement to be an expert in everything. What matters is the ability to contribute thoughtfully, ask good questions, learn from others, and help drive meaningful, positive change.
You’ll be well supported in the role. We offer training, development opportunities and Board shadowing, so you can build confidence and settle in at your own pace.
We also recognise that Board members balance work, family and other commitments, so the time expectations are clear and flexible wherever possible.
This is a paid and flexible position designed to fit around existing work, study, or home life. The expected time commitment is approximately 3 days per month.
Board meetings are held quarterly in person at the National Park HQ in Balloch, which features an accessible building, parking, and strong public transport links. Community engagement events, which board members attend, may occasionally take place on weekends or during evenings.
The Board is made up of 17 members. We have a blended Board structure that combines community representation, local authority insight and national perspective, including:
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- Five locally elected members (the focus of this specific election cycle)
- Six Scottish Government appointed members
- Six local authority nominated members
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The National Park Authority is the lead organisation helping to look after the National Park. We do this with the support of many others including communities, businesses, charities and other public bodies. Our Board helps set the big priorities and take important decisions about what happens here, and you can get involved.
Voting for your local candidate
Key dates and next steps
- Registration deadline passed: To receive a ballot paper for this election, you must have been registered to vote by Thursday 4 June 2026.
- Around Monday 15 June 2026: Look out for your ballot paper arriving in the mail. It will be sent to your registered home address.
- Get familiar with your locally nominated candidates: Take some time to review who is standing for election in your specific ward so you can make an informed choice.
- Fill out your ballot: Follow the instructions included with your paper to cast your vote.
- Return your vote early: Put your completed ballot paper into the pre-paid envelope provided and post it back.
- Thursday 9 July 2026 (Polling Day): This is the final deadline. Your ballot paper must be received by 4:00 PM on this day to be counted. Votes will be counted that evening.
More information for voters can be found on Stirling Council’s website.