The National Lottery Fund has given Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority over £670,000 to develop restoration plans which could unlock a further £9.2m for a long-term project.

The initial development supports the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs Landscape Connections initiative, a new partnership between the National Park Authority, RSPB Scotland, and Loch Lomond & The Trossachs Countryside Trust. 

A further eight-year programme with additional funding of up to £9.2m would then restore woodland habitats and connect a wider network covering an area twice the size of Glasgow.

Eilish McGuinness, chief executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund says “these precious habitats will be enhanced with National Lottery funding to deliver large-scale, long-term, support for nature recovery, connecting the rich cultural and natural heritage, and ensuring these special places are valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future.”

Simon Jones, director of environment and visitor services at Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority also comments on the funding’s potential:

“Over the next two years, we’ll work closely with local people to shape detailed plans that reflect their knowledge and needs, from removing invasive rhododendron to training the next generation of conservation practitioners. If successful, this Development Phase could lead to an eight-year programme delivering one of Scotland’s most ambitious and accessible examples of nature restoration at scale, restoring globally rare habitats while ensuring the people who live, work and visit the National Park are at the heart of the solution.”

This project is the second in Scotland to be announced as part of the Heritage Fund’s £150m strategic initiative.