There are already significant renewable energy installations within the proposed park boundary, the landscape has accommodated the huge Cruchan Pump Storage Generation Station. This installation is about to be doubled in size with a well progressed plan. Over to the west Carraig Gheal Wind Farm operating 20 wind turbines with a nominal output of 20,700 kw, there are a number of applications for large wind generation sites along the ridge of the more remote eastern side of the proposed park and a further pump storage electric generation site in application. Carefully managed and siting appropriate decisions will lower the impact and damage to this most beautiful area. This will of course if chosen become the first National Park making a very significant immediate contribution to the green energy needed to de-carbonise the cities and country of Scotland!

Cruachan Pump Storage, opened in October 1964 with a capacity of 440MW. In 2009, it produced 705 GWH, and an expansion is underway to more than double production. The 2nd generation is under planning, aiming for a capacity of 600MW (Drax).

Dalavich Community Hydro Scheme was commissioned in 2018 with a capacity of 50KW.

An Suidhe Wind Farm was commissioned in 2010 with a production capacity of 19MW.

Carraig Gheal Wind Farm, commissioned in 2013, has a production capacity of 46MW (Green Power International). Carraig Gheal 2 is under review and planning, with an expected production capacity of 55MW.

Beinn Ghlas Wind Farm, commissioned in 2001, has a capacity of 8.4MW. A repowering initiative is under planning, expected to proceed with a capacity of 55MW.

An Carr Dubh Wind Farm is under planning, expecting to proceed with a capacity of 85.8MW.

Balliemeanoch: ILI Group started the initial planning phase for the 1.5 GW Balliemeanoch pumped storage hydro project at Loch Awe, Dalmally, supplying 1.5 GW of power for up to 30 hours.

Current generation capacity at Loch Awe National Park adds up to 513.45 MW. The expected increase in final stages of planning or decided projects adds up to 2,295.5 MW (2GW 295.5MW). There are 13 applications in early stages of similar size under progress.

The question arises: Can Loch Awe sustain this level of industrial development without losing its natural heritage? Examining statistics and development in the Loch Awe area suggests it’s contributing significantly to a carbon-free future. The National Park may face challenges in reducing damage to its natural heritage from this industrial development. Considerable thought and debate are essential. Without the National Park, what will happen to the natural heritage of the Loch Awe area?

The prime objective of the Park would be:

Ensuring the preservation of pristine freshwater and a healthy environment is paramount, achieved through the protection, improvement, and restoration of the local ecology. This concerted effort aims to safeguard this unique and invaluable region for the benefit of future generations. A recent survey conducted in the Loch Awe area revealed the presence of hundreds of freshwater insect species, including butterflies, dragonflies, and a rich variety of flora and fauna. Remarkably, many of these species are on the verge of extinction in various parts of the UK. The survey underscores the ecological significance of the Loch Awe area, likening it to a seed bank reserve crucial for maintaining biodiversity and ecological balance.

The findings emphasise the urgent need to recognise and preserve the ecological richness of Loch Awe, as it serves as a sanctuary for endangered species and plays a vital role in sustaining the broader biodiversity landscape. Efforts to protect and enhance this natural reservoir contribute not only to the local ecosystem’s resilience but also to the larger mission of biodiversity conservation in the United Kingdom.

Farmers in Scotland are being told to decarbonize their activity and to put biodiversity firmly at the center of their farming practice. Livestock hill farming is the most common farming activity in the Loch Awe area. Recognizing the poor returns from hill farming, this area, like a lot of Scotland, is designated an LFASS area and receives a small grant towards assisting the continuation of these farmers’ activity for obvious food security and health reasons. Farmers often struggle to break even financially, yet are facing more and more regulatory costs and desk activity heaped upon them.

These farmers are becoming an endangered species! Ironically, the landscape and natural heritage of the Loch Awe area have evolved over hundreds of years under the stewardship of these very farmers! The New National Park would look to have a representative from the local NFU on the board so that farming and land management are firmly respected and supported.

Crofting is very much an opportunity area to help address keeping young agricultural workers within the community. It has been suggested that using the rank and unused land around the proposed park, up to a hundred crofts could be created directly targeted at younger agricultural workers. Perhaps a hybrid crofting concept could be developed specially for this purpose and a close relationship formed with the Crofting Commission.

The Ranger Service’s role would be to deliver the objectives of the National/Regional Park. Including the following:

* This could involve patrolling on the water encouraging people to wear life jackets, etc. Fire & Rescue Scotland would continue to provide the rescue service although some joint working might mean that suitable boats could be based near Dalmally and Ford for the volunteer crews from Dalmally and Ardfern/Lochgilphead to use when required.

It would be expected that over 60 quality jobs would be created by the formation of the National Park. This would have a significant positive effect on the working community and the local economy.

If the funding became available and HES were willing to support the idea, a principal visitor centre at Kilchurn Castle could be built. The visitor numbers are considerable and unmanaged at this location, Kilchurn is one of the most photographed castles in Scotland and the facilities apart from a vast car park built from waste stone and tar scalping’s alongside the rail line are non-existent. A proposed Loch Awe visitor centre at this location the head of the loch with the castle set behind the centre would be stunning. whether or not this could be made to happen depends on the energy and enthusiasm that can be brought to this project, the main single track rail line stops very near by bringing visitor without their cars right to the heart of the park. Drax will have large quantities of surplus granite stone available from the Ben Cruachan major expansion project and would probably be willing to create a platform, perhaps between the A85 and the Car Park, on which a visitor centre could be built.

It has been observed that to progress, it is necessary to establish a working group drawn from the community. It has been also been suggested that it would be useful to take working group members to visit the at least one existing National Park, Loch Lomond is the obvious choice, the staff there will have a great deal of knowledge and experience to share with the proposing team.

It is also suggested we will need to get funding to employ a consultant to develop ideas and speak to communities and stakeholders about the proposed park.