Latest news with #Trossachs
The Independent
10-07-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Country park wardens warn over barbecues as Scotland prepares for heatwave
Scots have been warned careless use of barbeques can have 'devastating' consequences for the countryside, as the nation prepares for a weekend heatwave. Temperature will hit the high 20s in parts of Scotland during Saturday and Sunday. The hot, dry weather comes as the Trnsmt music festival is about to begin on Friday and continue through the weekend, with thousands of music fans gathering on Glasgow Green. The Met Office says the heatwave will last longer than the one experienced earlier this summer and cover a larger part of Scotland. Earlier in July, parts of the north of Scotland were hit by wildfires on a 'vast scale' which burned for several days, prompting a police investigation. In May, a discarded barbeque led to a large fire the size of two rugby pitches breaking out in the Trossachs, killing nesting birds and other wildlife. Leigh Hamilton, ranger service manager at Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority, said: 'May's wildfire at Glen Finglas, caused by a carelessly discarded, disposal barbecue, is a stark reminder as to the devastating impact a single reckless act can have on our national park.' She said the ranger service 'cannot be everywhere', adding: 'This summer, as we face continued drier, more fire-prone conditions, we urge everyone to be vigilant and act responsibly, especially during high-risk periods. 'Avoid naked flames including disposable barbecues, dispose of waste properly, and call 999 immediately if you witness a wildfire. 'Everyone has a part to play. If you care about this landscape, help us protect it.' The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) urged people to take simple precautions as they prepare for the heatwave, including staying hydrated and watching out for signs of heatstroke. Policy director Steve Cole said: ' Heat is no longer just a holiday perk – it's a growing public health risk. 'We're seeing more frequent and intense heatwaves, both in the UK and globally, and the data shows a clear rise in heat-related illness and fatalities.' Met Office chief meteorologist Neil Armstrong said earlier: 'Scotland is also expected to meet heatwave criteria over the weekend. 'This hot spell is forecast to last longer and cover a broader area than previous ones so far this summer, and affect areas further north and west. 'For updates, do keep an eye on the Met Office forecast as the picture develops.' Meanwhile, Dr Nick Riches, public health registrar at NHS Lanarkshire, said people should look out for vulnerable neighbours who may struggle in the heat. Dr Riches said: 'People should try to avoid being in direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day between 12 noon and 3pm. 'Replenishing fluids is really important to reduce the risk of becoming dehydrated in the heat. Everyone should be careful to take extra liquids (cold tap water is ideal), at regular intervals. 'It is important to keep indoor temperatures comfortable, particularly for those who are less able to control their body temperature such as young children, the elderly and those with chronic medical conditions.'
BBC News
16-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Flamingo Land accuses critics of 'sensationalist hysteria'
The director behind a controversial proposal to site a holiday park in Loch Lomond has accused critics of "hysteria and mistruth".Jim Paterson, Lomond Banks' development director, said opponents of the plan had run a campaign with "baseless and offensive" claims about the Flamingo Land Scottish government last week stalled plans for the holiday park at Loch Mr Paterson said the move raised serious questions about the integrity of Scottish planning and risked investment in the country. The £40m resort would feature a waterpark, monorail, hotel and restaurants, but it has attracted criticism from locals and politicians. Flamingo Land believed the proposal was set to be given the green light after an appeal to the Scottish government reporter overturned a rejection by Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee last week said he would recall the plans as they raised "issues of national significance". Mr Paterson said the government decision "undermines the objective and independent judgment of the DPEA (Planning and Environmental Appeals Division) reporter".He also confirmed the company - which has operated a theme park in North Yorkshire since 1959 - would take legal Paterson added: "The land in question has been allocated for sustainable tourism development for decades, a fact acknowledged by the DPEA reporter. "To have this long-established planning context disregarded at the eleventh hour raises serious questions, not only about the integrity and consistency of the Scottish planning system but also about Scotland as an investment destination." Opponents of the plan, including Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer, have argued the resort would cause considerable damage to the Loch Lomond area, affecting woodland and resulting in a huge amount of extra traffic in the region. But Mr Paterson said Greer's claims were an attempt to "stoke public fear and misinformation".He added: "The opposition has, unfortunately, relied on a sensationalist and misleading campaign, filled with hysteria, mistruths and inaccuracies, some of which disconcertingly continued to be relayed in last week's parliament debate."The director argued the Lomond Banks plan would not dominate the area as Paterson said the development would "front onto" 280m (0.28km) - 0.2% of Loch Lomond's 153.5 km (95.4 miles) also pledged green spaces, like the ancient woodland at Drumkinnon Wood, would be Paterson called on the Scottish government to "see through the hysteria" when making a decision. And he said it was "baseless and offensive" for critics to accuse the Yorkshire company of infiltrating Scotland as it was registered in Scotland. Flamingo Land first submitted plans for the site in 2018, but withdrew them the following year after a wave of negative submitted updated plans in 2020, insisting the proposal would be a "major step away" from its other company have also argued the plans would boost unemployment in the region - a claim dismissed by critics who said most jobs would be short-term row has rumbled on over the last five years, with local community councils and environmental body Sepa expressing Lomond & The Trossachs National Park authority board unanimously voted against the development in September 2024, ruling that it did not comply with environmental and nature conservation the time Stuart Pearce, director of place for the park authority, said the resort plan created an "unacceptable risk" of flooding of the River Leven.
Times
12-06-2025
- Times
A lochside retreat in the ‘Gateway to the Highlands'
The first dip into the loch took my breath away — literally. The water was so cold it made my toes ache, my breath catch and my body scream to get out. It was like pressing reset on every nerve. Emerging wide-eyed and invigorated, I padded barefoot up the sandy bank and into the sauna, warm and glowing, which awaited me like a silent reward. Inside, cedar-scented heat wrapped around me like a blanket, thawing every frozen thought. That pattern of cold and heat, effort and rest, came to define our time at Willow Cabin, one of four Loch Venachar cabins, right on the water and a 15-minute drive west of Callander. I may only have been one hour from Glasgow but this felt like more than just a holiday; it was a recalibration. The cabin sits quietly on the edge of the loch, its timber frame low and unobtrusive against the Trossachs backdrop. From the outside it's modest, almost self-effacing, but step inside and you're greeted with a huge open-plan space that is much larger than it appears and full of natural light. Floor-to-ceiling windows make the loch your personal painting, ever-changing yet always still. We settled into a simple rhythm: morning coffee on the balcony while wrapped in thick jumpers with our hands cradling mugs and the outdoor fire crackling beside us; evenings playing Jenga and drinking wine after dinner. There's no TV and that's the point. You talk, you listen to the fire, you watch the light shift on the water. • Blowing the cover on Scotland's secret island escape We ate well, in that unhurried, slightly improvised way that holidays encourage. The first night we made pasta with supplies picked up en route from Marks & Spencer (because nothing says a holiday like a Marks's picky tea). On the second day, we wandered into Callander and treated ourselves to coffee and lunch at Mhor Bread, a bakery whose cakes and sandwiches more than live up to their reputation (tip: try their sausage rolls, they're divine). The village is full of charm with bookshops, one complete with its own resident cat, and well-stocked charity shops where I added to my Nigella collection. There's plenty to do — walks up Ben Ledi, fishing in the Teith, cycling to Balquhidder up National Cycle Network Route 7 — but the beauty of Willow Cabin is that you don't have to do much at all. After gallivanting in the village, we were excited to get home and make ourselves cosy by the fire. The cabin encourages you to slow down. The sauna and log-burners (both indoor and out) are more than just luxuries. They invite you to truly rest. You'll find yourself watching flames instead of checking your phone. There are generous logs provided, underfloor heating, four bedrooms and big communal spaces, making it ideal for groups or families. As with most things off-grid and idyllic, there are trade-offs. The kitchen, while fully functional, was missing a few basics like sugar. The decor didn't quite follow a single theme — more 'accumulated over time' than 'curated', but that could just be my style — and we did notice the odd cobweb in corners, a reminder perhaps of the cabin's wild surroundings. However, we did learn a key lesson: always bring more wine than you think you'll need. The nearest shop is four miles away in Callander, which is not ideal after a couple of drinks. Running out meant adjusting expectations and in some ways, that's the point. You come here to step out of the cycle of convenience and into something slower, quieter, more intentional. Only as we later packed up and drove the winding private road back towards civilisation — but not without a stop first to see the Highland cows being crowded around like the celebrities that they are — did I really reflect on where we'd been. Callander is the kind of Highland town that seems to exist outside of time (it even has a Christmas shop selling baubles year round). Known as the Gateway to the Highlands, it has everything you need: good cafés, a butcher, several pubs, a Chinese and access to trails and lochs that stretch for miles. So often travel feels rushed, chock-a-block with sights and plans. But Willow Cabin offers something else entirely — a stillness that gets under your skin and a slowness that stays with you. You swim in freezing loch water, you warm yourself by the fire and, somewhere along the way, you remember how good it feels to just be there. Carla Jenkins was a guest of Loch Venachar Cabins ( where Willow Cabin costs from £230 per night
Daily Mail
11-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Major blow dealt to plans for controversial Flamingo Land resort in Scotland
Plans for a controversial holiday park in Loch Lomond have been stalled by the Scottish Government. Ministers had been expected to give permission for the resort development but have now reconsidered due to its 'potential impact on Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park'. Operated by Flamingo Land, the proposed £40m resort was set to feature a monorail, waterpark, hotel and restaurants. Ivan McKee, Scotland's Minister for Public Finance, said he is now recalling the plans as 'the appeal should be determined at a national level', reports the BBC. The original proposal was first rejected in September 2024 amid protests by local residents. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park authority said the park did not comply with environmental policies. Flamingo Land then appealed to the Scottish government reporter who had said they planned to allow the resort as long as Flamingo Land signed a legal agreement with the national park. But following the recall, the final decision on the Flamingo Land resort's future will now be made by ministers. Ross Greer, a Scottish Green MSP, said McKee's decision to recall the plans was the 'right move'. He said: 'Once ministers consider the flood risk, loss of ancient woodland, hundreds of additional cars which would have be brought onto notoriously congested roads and the litany of other devastating impacts it would have, I am sure they will reject the mega-resort application and finally end this decade-long saga.' Scottish Labour's deputy leader Jackie Baillie also welcomed the decision, claiming that the SNP had 'ignored concerns' about the park 'time and time again'. The Balloch and Haldane Community Council said it had had more than 50,000 new objections to the plans last week. Flamingo Land submitted updated plans for its park in 2020 and described the development, set to be called Lomond Banks, as a 'major step away' from its other theme park style resorts. The company currently runs the Flamingo Land resort in North Yorkshire which offers amusement rides and exotic animals.
BBC News
10-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Ministers stall plans for Loch Lomond Flamingo Land resort
The Scottish government has stalled plans for a controversial holiday park at Loch had previously been set to give permission for the development, overturning the national park authority which said it did not comply with environmental and nature conservation park operator Flamingo Land believed it would be given the go-ahead to build a £40m resort called Lomond Banks, featuring a waterpark, monorail, hotel and Scottish government's Minister for Public Finance, Ivan McKee, has now said he will recall the plans because "the development raises issues of national significance in view of its potential impact on Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park". This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on X to get the latest alerts.
