Latest news with #BenLomond
Daily Mail
14-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
'The NHS saved me,' says teen who's played the bagpipes on 282 Munros
As Joel Davey stood atop Ben Lomond and took in the view over the loch in the driving rain and wind, it marked the end of a record-breaking challenge to scale all 282 Munros in a year – and play the bagpipes at the peak of each one. The astonishing feat was the 18-year-old's way to give back to the British Heart Foundation (BHF), by raising money for the charity that saved his life after he had open heart surgery as a baby for a rare disorder. The operation allowed him to enjoy a rough-and-tumble childhood, including playing rugby, cross-country running and, of course, climbing hills. By the age of 11 he had already scaled Monte Cinto, the highest mountain in Corsica, where he played Highland Cathedral on his bagpipes. After taking stock of just how much the surgery had given him in life, he decided to repeat the feat on each Munro – Scottish mountains over 3,000ft – in one year and play a few notes of the same stirring tune on every summit. Mr Davey, from Fife, said: 'I love the tune and it brings me to tears, but I've now heard it 12 times a day after lugging an out-of-tune bagpipe up 282 Munros. 'For a Scottish instrument it really doesn't like the rain.' Last year Mr Davey, battled 90mph winds on the Cuillin Ridge on the Isle of Skye, where he was roped to the summit of the Inaccessible Pinnacle so he could blast Highland Cathedral into the gale. His epic endeavour is all the more impressive as he broke his back shortly before sitting his Highers. Despite being in pain he got impressive results that earned a place at Aberdeen University to study Ancient History and Archaeology. He tackled the climbs during a gap year before starting university. His father Dan, who climbed the last Munro with Mr Davey, said: 'It's an incredible achievement – he's a young man with a sense of moral responsibility who wanted to give back for his life being saved. I'm proud of him.' Mr Davey said he was 'quite sad to have finished as it was so freeing to be up in the mountains'. David McColgan, head of BHF Scotland, said: 'We couldn't be more thankful or prouder of this extraordinary young man.'
Telegraph
04-06-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
How a theme park became the most unpopular project in Scottish history
From the station at Balloch where the train from Glasgow terminates, it's a short stroll through delightful woodland to the famous 'bonnie banks' of Loch Lomond, Scotland. Yet during the walk, Lynne Somerville becomes more and more agitated. 'This,' she points out as a family walks past with a toddler in a pushchair, 'is where the monorail would run.' 'Here,' she says as two dog walkers amble by, 'are the trees that would be cut down to make room for the lodges.' Where the woods end abruptly, a beach overlooks one of Scotland's finest and most recognisable panoramas: the vast expanse of the loch, stretching northwards to the towering peak of Ben Lomond. Fringed with hills as far as the eye can see, the water is dotted with kayakers, paddle-boarders, yachts berthed at a distant marina and cruise boats carrying tourists. 'And this,' Somerville explains, 'is where they want to build the hotel and water park. 'This place, this view... It's a national treasure. What they're planning here is just an act of vandalism.' Her anger is directed at a divisive proposal by theme park operator Flamingo Land to build a holiday resort on the southern shores of Loch Lomond. Known as Lomond Banks, the project has been described as 'the most unpopular planning application in Scottish history', after a petition against it gathered more than 155,000 signatures. While it is only the latest attempt by business to capitalise on Loch Lomond's enduring appeal – the area has drawn mass tourism for more than 200 years – it is certainly the most controversial. Planning permission was denied last year after the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park authority ruled the resort was incompatible with environmental and conservation policies. But last month, a planning official appointed by the Scottish Government overruled that decision and granted the resort provisional approval. Objectors – including Somerville, who lives nearby and sits on the local community council – are outraged, and are stepping up their campaign to block the development through political pressure and even the threat of legal action. Inevitably, though, Lomond Banks also has supporters – who believe the £40 million project will deliver a much-needed boost to tourism, create jobs and attract investment. With a final decision expected later this year, both sides have shared with The Telegraph their strong views on the subject – sparking a debate not only about Loch Lomond but also about the role of national parks and, more broadly, about how to manage development in Britain's scenic areas in a way that balances the often-competing aims of conservation and economic growth, the needs of local residents and the demands of visitors. Billed as a 'world-class family tourism destination', Lomond Banks is being proposed by Flamingo Land, which also runs a theme park and zoo in North Yorkshire named after the brightly coloured birds that were introduced to the site when it opened in the 1950s. After initial plans in 2018 were met with strong opposition, the company submitted new proposals in 2020 for a 'resort village' featuring a 60-room hotel, budget hostel with 32 beds and 100 self-catering holiday lodges. The proposed resort would include a swimming pool, water park and spa, along with restaurants, a café, craft brewery and beer hall, plus picnic and barbecue areas – all connected by a monorail. It is set to be built in the village of Balloch, long regarded as the gateway to Loch Lomond. Tourists first began flocking to the area in the 18th century, drawn by the romantic allure of Highland scenery. By the 19th and 20th centuries, it had become a popular escape for Glaswegians seeking respite from the city's industrial smog – just 25 miles away. Fittingly, the proposed development would sit beside a striking symbol of tourism's evolution: the Maid of the Loch paddle steamer. In its 1950s heyday, the vessel carried up to 1,000 visitors at a time across the loch. Now retired and resting at the water's edge, it awaits long-promised restoration. At present, the main draw in Balloch is the Loch Lomond Shores visitor centre, opened in 2002. It features a viewing platform, aquarium, shopping mall with cafés, outdoor clothing stores, gift shops and a small branch of Frasers – all set beside a sprawling car park. The new resort would straddle this existing hub, with one half built in the wooded West Riverside area between the train station and the loch, and the other in the grounds of the ruined Woodbank House. The mansion would be restored to provide self-catering accommodation, surrounded by a cluster of holiday lodges. Flamingo Land insists the resort would 'reflect its beautiful natural surroundings' and 'complement the scenic landscape'. But the Balloch and Haldane community council argues the development would undermine the very qualities that draw visitors to the area. Somerville explains: 'The company is trying to profit from selling Bonnie Scotland to the tourists. People have always come here for the scenery, to get away from the city and to enjoy nature and fresh air. But these plans would mean losing the essence of the place, destroying its character. 'Loch Lomond has a national identity – but that would be lost for ever, for the sake of a development that won't create value for local people and would buckle the area's infrastructure.' The community council has warned the resort would make life a 'living hell' for locals, citing a dramatic rise in traffic and fears it would siphon trade away from existing hotels and restaurants. Somerville adds: 'The resort is just too big. If it went ahead, it would completely swamp the village.' Not all residents are firmly opposed. Some, like Debbie Savage – who runs a fitness business and walks her dog, Ruby, in the woods – remain undecided. She says: 'There's a danger the area could be ruined if the development is too commercial or done in a way that isn't sensitive. I understand the need for investment, but it has to be done in a way that is mindful of local residents.' Some, however, are firmly in favour – including Neil Mayles, who runs a business selling boats and marine equipment. He says: 'The national park authority hasn't always been the friend of business and enterprise, so something is desperately needed in the area to bring employment and investment. The planned resort would bring nothing but benefits.' The developers are keen to emphasise that Lomond Banks would create hundreds of local jobs during construction, followed by 200 full-time, part-time and seasonal roles once the resort opens. In overturning the national park authority's decision to reject the plans, the Scottish Government's planning reporter also concluded that the project could deliver 'locally significant' benefits in terms of employment and economic growth. The company argues that those opposed to the development represent only a 'vocal minority'. Jim Paterson, the project's development director, says: 'Our vision to bring about plans that create economic growth, investment, jobs and an infrastructure that will benefit the local community and beyond, is unwavering. 'The reality is that Lomond Banks has undergone extensive scrutiny. Following an independent and detailed review, the Government's planning reporter has issued a notice of intention to recommend our proposals for approval, recognising that they align with planning policy and will deliver significant public benefits. These include the restoration of the historic Woodbank House ruin, enhancements to biodiversity, and much-needed economic regeneration.' Paterson insists the resort would encroach on just 280 metres of Loch Lomond's 153km shoreline, and says it would be 'sympathetically designed to reflect the scale, character and natural beauty of the area'. Even so, fallout from the reporter's provisional approval continues. The National Park authority has described the decision as 'deeply disappointing' and says it stands by its original reasons for rejecting the plan. The Scottish Government, meanwhile, has declined to comment, stating only that the decision was made on its behalf by an independent planning expert. Opponents have been far more outspoken. The Scottish Green Party has urged the SNP Government to 'put the natural environment ahead of corporate profit' and reconsider the ruling, while the local community council remains resolute in its campaign to block Lomond Banks. Somerville adds: 'What's happened is grossly undemocratic. What's the point of having a national park authority with planning powers if the Government simply overrules it? As far as we're concerned, the future of one of Scotland's most beautiful places is at stake. This resort mustn't be allowed to go ahead.'
The Herald Scotland
21-05-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Holy smoke! Could Hamilton be doubling as Gotham City?
While dining out, David noticed a large group at the next table, and couldn't help overhearing a complicated tale involving a woman who had apparently dressed up as a nun. "She wis quite old," explained the narrator of the story. "And she'd a face that wid scare cats oot o' a midden". Our impressed correspondent marvels at this memorable turn of phrase, and says to the Diary: 'See Glasgow? See poetry?' Difficult for dummies Wise words from reader James Nester: 'A smart person can fake stupidity, but a stupid person can't fake smartidity.' Rocky road The infuriating aspect of the glorious weather is that you end up feeling guilty if you don't trudge out of the house every morning to experience the great outdoors, even though you'd rather stay at home with the curtains drawn, slumped on the sofa and snaffling an entire pack of Choc Ices. The teenage son of Chris Graham was packing a rucksack so he could climb Ben Lomond with some chums the following day, and he was clearly in a grumpy mood about the forthcoming adventure. 'It's rocky and it's bumpy and I'm not interested in the view from the top,' he snarled. 'I don't even want to see the view from the bottom.' 'Text your pals and tell them it's not your kind of thing, so you don't want to go,' suggested Chris, believing this was a reasonable position to take. 'No way!' said his shocked son. 'Why not?' asked Chris, 'Because,' his son patiently explained, 'it was my idea to climb Ben Lomond.' Cloth ears During a church service, reader Karen Hall heard the minister quote the biblical phrase: 'Don't store your treasures on Earth'. Karen's husband, who had clearly been catching some shut-eye during the service, woke and whispered to Karen: 'I don't get it. Why shouldn't you store your trousers on Earth?' Bobbing around While studying law at Glasgow University, reader Steve Buchan shared a flat with a bloke who rarely washed, and spent his time in bed strumming an acoustic guitar. Perhaps inevitably, he was known to one and all as Slob Dylan. Mum's the word 'I bought a lettuce from a grocery store called Mamas and Papas,' reports reader Nicola Williams. 'Unfortunately I can't eat it because all the leaves are brown…'
The Courier
08-05-2025
- Health
- The Courier
Hikers on West Highland Way fall ill after drinking from streams near Balmaha
Walkers on the West Highland Way have been warned not to drink river water from streams after several hikers fell ill. National Trust for Scotland rangers have reported nine instances of sickness, all thought to be caused by water sources near Balmaha. The popular trail covers 96 miles from Milngavie to Fort William, passing through locations including Rowardennan and Tyndrum. Hikers have taken ill with vomit and diarrhoea for one to two days despite claiming to have filtered the water first. Three of them reportedly drank from the Burn of Mar, close to Conic Hill. Guidance has been issued not to drink from this stream due to livestock nearby. A Ben Lomond ranger took to social media to warn others. A post on Facebook read: 'We have had a spate of hikers coming through here at Rowardennan over the past month that have been pretty ill, vomit and diarrhea. '[It] only lasts a day or two but it wrecks more than their guts. 'Everyone I have spoken to that's been ill, and that is nine hikers so far (there will be more) have all drank water from the rivers near Balmaha. 'Everyone has said that they have filtered the water first but still been ill.' The ranger also told hikers to boil water before drinking it, rather than filtering it. It is understood no water testing has taken place. National Trust for Scotland confirmed these reports and asked hikers to follow the guidance. A spokesperson said: 'We encourage anyone drinking from a natural water source outdoors to boil the water first to make it as safe to drink as possible.' The Courier has recently reported on Balmaha locals fighting to take ownership of the village's car park.
The National
27-04-2025
- The National
By the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond
I usually stay at the main Cameron House hotel, but this time fancied something different so booked one of the two-bedroom Loch Lomond Apartments at Mansion House ( These self-catering retreats recline a few miles north up in woodland by the loch's banks, overlooking the Carrick golf course; near the award-winning Cameron Spa. It immediately felt like a real escape with an even more relaxed vibe than the main hotel. Our apartment proved an ideal base. The central living area was a massive open plan space with a large dining room in the window, twin sofas (one converts to a sofa bed so we brought along my nephew Kyle, as well as our two daughters) and a well-equipped kitchen. We arranged to have the fridge stocked with local bacon, sausages and milk. And we picked up further local foodie goodies from Auchentullich Farm Shop just across the road. Self-catering was a real joy, cooking here peering over the loch and enjoying eating out on our huge terrace, finishing the days playing board games as a family. As we were here for a few days we also tried a brace of hotel restaurants. Cameron House has struggled in the past to make their boathouse-style restaurant down at the marina work despite it being a great space by the loch. They've got it nailed now with their Italian, La Vista. We tucked into starters like Orkney hand-dived king scallops and truffle arancini, trying various pasta dishes and a Florentine T-bone steak as mains. The Italian wines are well chosen to match the food; the views impressive too over the marina and loch. Cameron House is just about to open a new fine dining restaurant in their quest to recapture the Michelin star they held before the devastating fire in 2017. For now, the Cameron Grill is my favourite place to eat, a lovely venue, especially if you love steaks. They do a superb chateaubriand, as well as more unusual daily specials like sirloin on the bone and cote de boeuf. All their steaks are Scotch beef aged for between 21 and 45 days. READ MORE: Thousands of people turn out to pro-independence march in Wales They've kept things fresh too, with some creative starters like Cumbrae oysters three ways – with a lime granita, then also a granita spiced with chilli and tomato and a Verjus granita. Decent wine list too. Staying at Mansion House also gave us access to the Cameron Spa just a short walk away through the woods. Having two 17-year-olds and a 14-year-old in tow meant pool access hours were limited and the kids couldn't bubble in the outdoor rooftop thermal pool, but they enjoyed the large swimming pool downstairs anyway. One morning my wife and I nipped down to the spa on our own and chilled around the thermal circuit and checked out that rooftop pool. It's a sublime experience peering out across the waters towards the hulk of Ben Lomond as the rest of the busy world slips away and Runrig plays in your head and heart. You can also use the Leisure Club at the main hotel with a free shuttle bus every hour. There are flumes and a large pool there with noodles and floats for wee ones to mess about with. This pool experience was much more suited to kids and there are no block-out times so I would recommend this if you're travelling as a family. The main hotel also has a cinema and more grounds you can explore, as well as activities flagged up on their website. You can access all of these when you're self-catering. Missing my seaplane ride, I went in search of different ways of exploring the famous loch. One morning I struck out on a lovely stretch of the West Highland Way, which sweeps you up towards Conic Hill, one of my favourite wee hills in Scotland. In the past we've also bashed out on Cameron House's Celtic Warrior speedboat, another fab way to see the loch as zoom across the Highland Boundary Fault and survey some of the tree-shrouded isles. Cameron House also team up with 4x4 Adventures Scotland from nearby Luss to offer a unique way of exploring the national park's scenery. Paddy, a dashing driver in a kilt, picked us up at our apartment (handy on a showery day) for a thrilling 4x4 off-roading driving adventure up and down the Loch Lomond hinterland's hills. We even got a go at driving, with Paddy a patient tutor. On our last morning, we popped down to the Leisure Club for one last swim. I walked by the wee jetty where the seaplanes used to leave from. I'm sad that they're no more, but also delighted to report there is plenty else going on the southwestern shores of this deservedly popular, perennially bonnie, loch.
