View over Loch Long from Three Lochs Way
The Helensburgh and District Access Trust, who thought up and maintain the trail, has been awarded the grant towards a package of improvements planned for the route which links Balloch to Inveruglas.
Commenting on the award George Boyd, Vice-President of the Friends said: “We are delighted to award the Access Trust what is our largest single grant for any project in recent years and it is very encouraging that this has enabled the Trust to lever over £30,000 from other sources to help create what is now one of Scotland’s best walking trails for visitors and locals to enjoy”
“I am also pleased that this level of funding has been possible due to the success of the Friends Our Park visitor giving scheme and our annual golf charity event which demonstrates what can be achieved by businesses and visitors working closely with the Friends and many volunteers to improve outdoor recreational opportunities in and around the National Park”
Anne Urquhart, who is Vice Convener of the local Access Trust and an active business participant in the Our Park scheme which was instrumental in raising the money, said: “We are at an important stage in delivering improvements along the Three Lochs Way and the funding support from the Friends has helped to support the production of new signage and information boards, smart phone apps, a guide book and a missing bridge link at Glen Culanach.”
Additional funding was raised through the Friends golf charity event at the Carrick, Loch Lomond with sponsorship from Optical Express and Cameron House that attracted teams from all over the UK. Other funding for the £30k improvement package for the trail has come from the tourism destination organisation, Love Loch Lomond and the Access Trust, with matched funding from the Argyll & the Islands EU LEADER programme.
The Three Lochs Way is a 53 mile route which runs from Loch Lomondside to Helensburgh, passing the Mackintosh-designed Hill House before heading into countryside overlooking Gare Loch and Loch Long. The Three Lochs Way can be linked to the Cowal Way or the West Highland Way to make a much longer walking route.