Update on Loch Lomond litter 2021

The west bank of Loch Lomond has been exceptionally busy in 2021, one obvious result of the restrictions on international travel due to Covid.

Anticipating a surge in visitors Luss Estate Company started its litter picking efforts as soon as the lockdown finished in April.

For the whole of 2021 John Taylor, the village warden, has been litter picking Luss village almost every single day. This role was entirely funded by Luss Estates Company, and has made an enormous difference to the look and feel of the village. John has done all the jobs that should normally fall to the local authorities- his impact on the village has been enormous.

At the height of the summer, For a period of 16 weeks, the estate undertook additional extensive litter picking in Luss village every Friday and Monday. This was normally undertaken by a team of three or four and took up the majority of the morning on each day.

In addition Around a dozen of the estate team, including the Chief Executive Simon Miller, have litter picked up and down the west bank of the Loch Lomond four times.

In total the estate has removed about 600 bags of litter plus numerous larger items, this has taken roughly 100 days of labour plus the associated skip hire and land fill tax.

Simon Miller, Chief Executive of Luss Estates Company said “We very much want people to come and enjoy visiting Loch Lomond, but would urge them to take all the litter home. It is completely unacceptable to visit this beautiful place and then leave your litter behind”.

“We have noticed a significant improvement in the litter problem in the A82 lay-bys where the friends of Loch Lomond have paid for new bins, and their emptying. It is deeply regrettable that the National Park, Argyll & Bute Council, and Transport Scotland still refuse to work together to provide this vital resource. I thank the Friends of Loch Lomond for finding the funding to deliver this project.”