Local Board Elections 2026: Make Your Vote Count!
If you live in the National Park and are aged 16 or over, you can vote in this election to choose the local Board member for your area.
Ballot papers are now with voters in the contested wards. If you’re registered to vote within the National Park boundary, you should have received yours by post. If you haven’t received your ballot paper, please contact Stirling Council for support.
You’ll find instructions on how to complete and return your ballot included with your papers. All ballots must be received by Thursday 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.”
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is a place where people live and work. Our long-term goal is to make the National Park ‘nature positive and carbon negative’.
To us, that means creating a place where you and your neighbours can:
- Live well with access to good jobs and vital local services.
- Enjoy a healthier environment where the Park takes in more carbon than it produces.
- Experience valued and restored nature where people and wildlife thrive together.
Our communities are already feeling the effects of the climate emergency and nature crisis. At the same time, we face pressing rural challenges like access to affordable housing and joined-up public transport. The people you elect to our Board will set the big priorities and make important decisions to tackle these exact issues. This is why your vote is more important than ever.
There are five wards in which people can vote for their local candidates. One Board member will be elected for each ward within:
-
- Cowal and North Loch Lomond
- Breadalbane and the Trossachs
- Callander
- East Loch Lomond and Port of Menteith
- West Loch Lomond and Balloch
Your elected representative will:
- 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
Anyone aged 16 or over on 9 July 2026 who lives within one of the National Park’s five electoral wards, provided they registered to vote by 4 June 2026.
Please note: To receive a ballot paper for this election, you must have already been registered to vote by the 4 June 2026 deadline.
Step 1 – Check your mail
Look out for your ballot paper and details of the candidates standing in your area. Ballots will arrive by post from 11th June2026.
Step 2 – Cast your vote
Follow the instructions included with your paper to fill out your ballot.
Step 3 – Post it back early
Return your completed ballot paper using the pre-paid envelope provided. It must be received by the Returning Officer no later than 4:00 PM on Thursday 9th July 2026 to be counted.
- Thursday 4 June 2026: Voter registration closed.
- Thursday 11th June 2026 onwards : Ballot papers arrive by post to registered voters.
- Thursday 9 July 2026 (by 4:00pm): Deadline for your ballot paper to be received at Old Viewforth, Stirling, FK8 2ET.
- Thursday 9 July 2026 (Evening): Election votes are counted.