Loch Lomond
AINA Representative: Mr Grant Moir - Director of Conservation and Visitor Experience
National Park Headquarters
Carrochan
Carrochan Road
Balloch
G83 8EG
Telephone: 01389 722 600
Fax: 01389 757295
Email: info@lochlomond-trossachs.org
Website: www.lochlomond-trossachs.org
Constitutional status
National Park Authority
Description of navigation
A large open water loch within a National Park.
A brief history of the navigation
Loch Lomond is the largest inland water in Britain used for recreational boating. Byelaws were introduced by a joint committee of three local authorities in 1996.
The Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park came into being during the summer of 2002.
The National Park Authority is now responsible for the hazard buoy system in use on Loch Lomond since 1995.
The Loch Lomond Byelaws were approved in 2007 by Scottish Ministers and introduced to protect the loch from environmental damage whilst supporting the many types of recreational activity which the loch supports. The National Park Authority is required by Scottish Government to review the byelaws by the end of 2012 to see what is working or if any changes need to be made.
The National Park Authority has undertaken discussions with a number of groups and interested parties ahead of the formal Loch Lomond Byelaw Consultation. A Loch Lomond Stakeholder Group has also been established.
The formal consultation on the review of the Loch Lomond Byelaws will start on 26 March 2012 and last until 18 June 2012. Once the review process has ended, the byelaws will be submitted to Scottish Government for approval in time for the 2013 summer season. The current Loch Lomond byelaws will continue to operate until Easter 2013 at the earliest.
Plans for the future
There are a number of issues around competency, insurance and biosecurity that the NPA is looking to discuss at a national level.
How we consult with our users
Annual contact is made with all registered boat owners and a magazine called Mainsheet is distributed with the re-registration documents. The NPA is looking to move to regular electronic updates over the next few years. The NPA has established the Loch Lomond Stakeholder Group that brings together a wide range of interests.
How we are structured
The National Park has a board of 17 members. 6 are appointed by Scottish Ministers, 6 by the four local authorities whose territory lies within the National Park and 5 by direct local elections from geographical constituencies within the park.
Navigation statistics
Length/area of waterway | 36.69 km2 |
Number of locks | 0 |
Boating statistics
Boat registration 2007 - 2011(non-powered craft are not required to register)
TYPE | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | AVERAGE |
Fishing boat | 798 | 718 | 789 | 637 | 637 | 731 |
PWC | 796 | 715 | 772 | 821 | 684 | 758 |
Motor boat | 219 | 299 | 247 | 224 | 221 | 222 |
Motor cruiser | 874 | 784 | 884 | 761 | 821 | 825 |
Speedboat | 1907 | 1579 | 1693 | 1504 | 1274 | 1591 |
Tender | 525 | 522 | 560 | 493 | 508 | 508 |
Trade plates | 28 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 18 | 11 |
Yacht | 276 | 271 | 292 | 243 | 235 | 263 |
Other | 262 | 328 | 442 | 385 | 373 | 358 |
TOTALS | 5685 | 5119 | 5679 | 5153 | 4701 | 5267 |
There are some opportunities for hiring small craft on Loch Lomond but the licensing for this is carried out by the Local Authorities where applicable.
Fees
The National Park Authority introduced slipway charging in April 2011 and a voluntary operations payment in January 2011.
Launch Fee (mandatory)
This is a mandatory fee for any craft launching at National Park Authority launch facilities (Duncan Mills Memorial Slipway and Milarrochy Bay). The fee has two options, an Annual Launch Fee or a Single Use (Day rate) Fee. For more information please telephone 01389 722 030.
Annual Launch Fee
This is a once a year payment for unlimited use of the launching facilities at Duncan Mills Memorial Slipway and Milarrochy Bay. It is set at £55 a year for each craft; payment for this service can be made in advance.
Single Use (Day Rate) Fee
This is a payment to accommodate first time or infrequent visitors. For a single use of our launch facilities (launch and retrieval) this fee is set at £15 per craft and per launch.
Operations Payment (voluntary)
The Operations Payment is a voluntary payment that will contribute towards services on the loch, including the ranger service patrols and the payment to the Loch Lomond Rescue Boat. The amount requested is £30 a year for each craft.
Requirements for boating
Boat Safety Scheme | No |
Third Party Insurance | No |