Many of you will be familiar with the set-up we've had at RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond for the past 8 years. Our Nature Hub was created from a converted exhibition trailer, and was put in place as a temporary option until we could secure something more permanent. Our small, 15-space car park was installed at the same time as our access road and over the past few years has become well used and quickly full. And finally, the Portaloo style toilets, which have served us well but neither fit into the landscape or are our first choice for the environment. What you may be less aware of is that we've also been running the site from temporary portacabins since 2014. Again, these were supposed to have been a stop-gap option, and have been in place much longer than intended.
When I started at this site in 2013, the RSPB had ambitions to have a large visitor operation on site and that the reserve would be THE place in the National Park to connect with and experience wildlife and to get information about other key hotspots. A combination of factors have been the cause for both our delayed approach to building anything more permanent, and the dramatic reduction in these ambitions to something which we hope you will agree, is much more in-keeping with the site, and we are finally able to share with you what we hope will be put in place to replace these temporary buildings.
What is it?
The Nature Discover Hub (NDH) is a project being developed by the RSPB. It encompasses the creation of a new, environmentally sustainable and inclusive set of small buildings to be used as workspace, welfare space (toilets, breakroom), training, meeting and education space, visitor areas and a small café, alongside associated parking for bikes, cars and electric vehicles, nature-positive and sympathetic landscaping and importantly, the construction of a new path linking the RSPB site to the village of Gartocharn.
This project also includes the creation of the Community Link Path. This route would link the RSPB to Gartocharn, and there are proposals locally to connect to other points of interest as well. This route would link directly to existing public transport options and local facilities (Post Office/shop), reducing the requirement for additional parking bays.
Where is it?
The Nature Discovery Hub and associated Community Link Path will be located entirely within the grounds of RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond, just outside of the village of Gartocharn. The Nature Discovery Hub would be constructed adjacent to the existing Nature Hub and car park already found on site. The Community Link Path connects from the existing Lomond Trail and follows a route which leads to the Aber Right of Way core path (road section). None of the proposed construction will fall within the National Nature Reserve or protected areas.
Why is it needed?
The RSPB bought the Loch Lomond site in 2012, with a view to make this part of the Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve a great place for both wildlife and people - it is a core part of the remit of being an NNR that the site should be available for the public to enjoy. Since then, we have built a number of small facilities including picnic areas and pond dipping; constructed a new, inclusive path network; and developed some temporary space for visitors (the current Nature Hub). We have also been making use of Portacabin facilities for our office workspace and welfare facilities, as described above.
Now, the site requires more permanent facilities to enable both our current and future workplans to develop. We work on the site 365 days a year protecting, monitoring and improving habitats for nature. We cannot continue to work out of temporary structures which are a) unsightly in the National Scenic Area b) starting to degrade and c) not inclusive of the variety of different audiences we can and should be welcoming to both work with us and connect with nature. The current set-up is also not financially sustainable, which is something we must consider as a charity.
When will it happen?
Plans are available on this blog and can be viewed in person at the Nature Hub, until 16th June 2024. We will then incorporate this feedback into our design process before preparing an application for planning consent. This is likely to be submitted in July/August 2024 depending on the feedback we receive, so please send any thoughts and suggestions to loch.lomond@rspb.org.uk.
What will it look like?
Our architects at Lamp have developed some early concept drawings for us to use as part of the consultation discussion, and these are included below, with an explanation of each one. We have closely considered materials, sustainable use of water, connectivity and inclusivity, options for heat/light/power etc. These discussions are far from complete but we are drawing closer to what we would like to see delivered for staff, volunteers and visitors to our site.
Who do I contact to find out more?
The project team are happy to answer questions about this throughout the process. You can speak to us on 01389830670 or email loch.lomond@rspb.org.uk.
IMPORTANT: All images are subject to change and should not be shared to any other platform without permission being sought from the RSPB and Lamp Architects.
Image 1: Drawing of the entrance to the building, including ‘living wall’ and entrance to the Visitor Welcome Space (left) and Staff/volunteer Workspace (right). Note the views through the buildings to the landscape beyond.
Image 2: This drawing shows a slice image of the front of the building, looking into the Visitor Welcome Space (left) and into the staff offices (right).
Image 3: A selection of 'views' through various parts of the buildings
Image 4: Layout of the buildings with 'views' labelled
Image 5: A birds-eye view showing buildings in the local area for size comparison to the proposals.
Image 6: Rear of the building looking up towards the car park, with Multi-use Space on the left, and the Café building on the right
Image 7: Side of the building looking towards the Airey Woodland, with the Office space on the left and the Multi-use Space on the right.
Image 8. View of the south-west facing wall, which backs onto the Airey Woodland, looking at the Café (left), the Visitor Welcome Space (right) and an amphitheatre-style gathering area with ‘living wall’ (centre)
Image 9: Slice image of the inside of the Café building, looking out towards the Skein Dial and landscape beyond.
Image 10: Floor layout including details of how each building space has been allocated.
Image 11: Building layout and car park layout. Car parking would be for all site users, including staff, volunteers, trainees and visitors. There are spaces allocated for accessible bays, electric vehicle charging and bike parking/charging.
Image 12: Existing and proposed paths in the area, both on and off the RSPB site. The pale blue path is the suggested route for the Community Link Path, which connects Gartocharn to the RSPB reserve, via the Aber Right of Way.