A statue and mountain garden remembering one of Loch Lomond’s most famous figures is being given a well-deserved facelift.
More than a million people have visited the lochside spot in honour of Tom Weir since it was opened in 2014.
The previously run-down picnic site overlooking Balmaha Bay was transformed following major fundraising efforts to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of the famous mountaineer, conservationist, broadcaster and writer, who was also one of the founder members of the Friends of Loch Lomond and lived locally at Gartocharn.
The initial project was run by the Friends of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs and the Tom Weir Memorial Group in 2014 ands subsequently further improvements were made to the picnic area, with stone walling, new picnic benches and a mountain garden.
Last year the view across the bay behind the statue, which had become overgrown, was re-opened by volunteers participating in one of the Friends’ make a difference days, but it was evident that due to the impact of large visitor numbers and adverse weather conditions a more radical facelift was required.
James Fraser, chair of the Friends, said: “We are not surprised the site has been a runaway success with what must be one of the most photographed statues in Scotland due to its careful positioning against the changing scenic backdrop of Balmaha Bay and close to the West Highland Way.
“I have no doubt if Tom was still alive he would be thrilled that so many visitors have visited the statue and to enjoy the great outdoors on his beloved Loch Lomondside, which he did so much to promote in his popular Weir’s Way TV series and for 50 years in the monthly editions of The Scots Magazine.”
With sponsorship from Sandy Fraser of the Oak Tree Inn, and funding from the Hannah Stirling Loch Lomond Trust, a funding package has been assembled to resurface the heavily used paths and gathering area, repair walls and to give the mountain garden a makeover.
The bulk of this work will be completed over the next month led by Sandy Fraser with his own landscaping team and, later in the year, another Make a Difference Day is planned to ensure the site is well maintained.
Sandy added: “It is important we continue to mark Tom’s memory and contribution to raising awareness of great outdoors as a recreational resource to be cherished and cared for by maintaining his popular picnic area and mountain garden on Loch Lomondside, and I am pleased to be working in partnership with the Friends to ensure this continues to happen.”
Tom Weir was a prolific writer and broadcaster on Scotland’s great outdoors for more than 50 years and until his death in 2006.
He lived for many years with his late wife, Rhona at Gartocharn at the southern end of Loch Lomond where she was head teacher at the local primary school.
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