Local Board Elections 2026: Candidate Information
This summer, we called on people to stand for local election across five electoral wards. Nominations have now closed, and the official list of candidates for each ward has been published by Stirling Council.
Joining our Board is a chance to do meaningful work that makes a real difference. Board members help guide what happens next in the National Park and support its future for the next generation.
Our vision for the future
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is a place where people live and work. Our long-term goal is to make the National Park a place that is ‘nature positive and carbon negative’.
Thriving communities and landscapes
This means a place where people can live well, have good jobs and local services. It also means the National Park takes in more carbon than it produces, offers sustainable visitor experiences and nature is valued and restored so people and nature can thrive together. Our new Board members will help guide our work and achieve this vision.
Shape the Park’s future
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.