Scotland: Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park: Development

Located in central Scotland 720 sq. miles (1,865 sq. km)

The Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park boast some of the finest scenery in Scotland. This magnificent landscape embraces the deep waters of Loch Lomond, the wild glens of the Trossachs, Breadalbane’s high mountains and the sheltered sea lochs of the Argyll Forest. Close to Glasgow and Edinburgh, the area is full of contrasts, from rolling lowland landscapes in the south to high mountains in the north, and has many lochs and rivers, forests and woodlands. This living, working landscape is visited and enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of visitors annually for its recreational value. More than 70% of Scotland's population lives less than an hour's travel time from Loch Lomond & The Trossachs.

Need for Trees

This area is the site of a new woodland development that will be planted with approximately 1 million trees over the next decade. The location presents a prime opportunity to develop habitat for Scotland’s native red squirrel, which is under threat from the non-native grey squirrel that carries a squirrel pox virus fatal to red squirrels. The planting will also help protect Loch Katrine, which provides Glasgow’s water supply through a series of tunnels and aqueducts in its unique Victorian infrastructure.

Planting and Impact

Planting will take place in 2007. The park will plant 40,000 trees to include Caledonian Scots Pine, Sessile oak, Alder, Ash, Silver Birch, and will supplement the planting with species such as Aspen and Juniper. The planting site will form part of the Wider Forest Habitat Network, providing a corridor for flora and fauna stretching from Loch Lomond to the town of Callander. The project will also provide and maintain habitat for the resident Red Deer population and Black Grouse, as well as eagles and other wildlife that inhabit the area.

About the Pledge