Sally Page, Chair
As a Councillor on West Dunbartonshire Council I learned how valued Balloch Castle Country Park is to those who use it, and to Balloch. I learned that the Park costs West Dunbartonshire Council a great deal in upkeep (especially the Castle) with no return on capital invested.
The facilities within the Park are inadequate for the number of visitors; the Park would benefit from a higher level of maintenance than the Council can afford.
A Woodland Management Plan that was drawn-up in 2014 with West Dunbartonshire Council, National Tree Collections of Scotland and Loch Lomond and Trossachs Countryside Trust working together. This is a well prepared document that now requires to be updated and acted upon when the funding is secured.
As a group we have reached out to all parts of the community and stakeholders for support to improve the natural and built environment within the Park. The response has been positive, nature restoration will benefit the biodiversity within the Park, the waters of the River Leven and Loch Lomond.
The Park is a huge resource available to all through excellent transport links and good infrastructure within the Park but an upgrade all round is much needed to equip the Park for the enjoyment of future generations.
Audrey Baird, Vice Chair
The Park has given me so much happiness over the years but it desperately need help. I hope to use any experience and capacity I have to give something back.
Whenever I visit the Park my spirits are lifted when I see a red squirrel, or a bird of prey, or swans, a magnificent oak, wildflowers, wonderful views, happy dogs, children playing. It’s a life giving habitat for the best of Scotland and it needs us to learn how to look after it and give our time and energy to regenerate it for the benefit of current and future generations of biodiversity.
I bring more than 30 years of experience in journalism and broadcasting, community development, project management and marketing. The unconditional love I have for the natural world along with gratitude for this life Planet Earth has given me are the foundations for a strong, constructive drive to work in partnership with others by focussing on shared objectives and principles, rather than on personalities and differences.
My greatest hope for the Park is that we can seize the moment, overcome all obstacles and focus our full and constructive efforts on restoring the natural and built environment to its full and glorious best. The whole community, and visitors, will reap the benefits for decades to come if we are successful.
Audrey Baird
Gillian Clark
Gillian Clark, Secretary
I was a Community Councillor for the Balloch and Haldane area for six years, a role which I enjoyed very much. I have lived in Balloch most of my life, grew up in the Park, played there as a child, took my children and walked my dogs there.
I know how much people love the Park, how lucky we are to have it and we need to preserve and improve it. However, it needs some help to reach its full potential and I wish to be part of that.
Matt Buckland, Treasurer
I have lived in Balloch since 2010 and being only a ten-minute walking distance from the Balloch Castle Country Park. I have always enjoyed walking in the park for exercise and to sit and reflect in nature. It packs a lot in with native woodland, specimen trees, Loch Lomond and the River Leven, a walled garden and of course the castle itself.
It is such a great resource for people living in Balloch and the Vale of Leven, as well as those from further afield in Scotland and for tourists. It is a place for learning about and experiencing heritage and nature, a place for spending time with family and friends, a place to find solitude and a place for play.
Like many others I recognise that looking after Balloch Castle Country Park is expensive and in these challenging times it is not easy for Local Authorities to invest what is needed to look after it. West Dunbartonshire Council look after the Park as best they can but cannot do it alone.
For over 15 years I have worked to bring people closer to nature with Forestry Commission Scotland and now the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority. As a Ranger, Recreation Manager and Visitor Operations Manager I have looked after and improved greenspace to improve the experience of visitors and local people whist protecting the natural environment. I hope that I can use my experience and skills to help protect and improve the Park for everyone.
“My favourite part of the Park is mixed meadow and woodland in the North, especially in the spring when the Bluebells are in bloom”
Matt Buckland
Cara Thom, Trustee
I was born and bred in Balloch and have lots of amazing childhood memories of the Park, including going on long walks with our dogs and maybe spotting a deer in the mist on early mornings. There was always something exciting to see or outdoor adventures to be had. Now I love going on walks in the Park with my own family and seeing my daughter experience the same magic with our dog Indy.
I have worked for charities for the past 24 years, and latterly my career turned to fundraising and communications. I was looking to volunteer with a local charity when I heard that the Balloch Park Regeneration Group were looking for help in these areas. I am so glad to volunteer my time with a fantastic group of people who are passionate about the Park and want to improve it for both people and nature.
Caroline Gillies, BCCPRG Member
Having grown up in Balloch, Balloch Castle Country Park has been at the heart of my life for as long as I can remember. From snowy days spent sledging down the hills near the Castle, to long summer evenings picnicking with family and friends on the beaches, the park has been a constant source of joy and connection for me.
Because of this lifelong bond, I’m deeply committed to supporting the park’s regeneration and long-term care. I believe that developing Balloch Castle Country Park in a sustainable, community-focused way will bring lasting cultural, environmental and social benefits to both residents and visitors alike.
Ensuring that future generations can enjoy the same experiences that shaped my own life is incredibly important to me. As a member of the Balloch Castle Country Park Regeneration Group, my goal is to help the park survive and truly thrive.
I specialise in marketing, social media and content creation - skills in which I’m using to strengthen our digital presence and share the park’s story in order to inspire more people to get involved in its future. This park has given me so much and I’m grateful for the chance to play a part in its future.
Karn Bianco, Web Developer
Hi, I’m Karn (he/they), I’m a jack of various trades, park user, and I set up the BCCPRG website . You can learn more about me on my website, but in brief:
🍩 I’m the Digital Platform Lead at Doughnut Economics Action Lab which helps create economies that are regenerative and distributive by design.
🎮 I’m a video game and web developer; I worked in the games industry for many years before switching gears to focus on the climate crisis.
🌎 I’m a climate activist, contributing to initiatives such as the Divest Parliament campaign.
✍ I’m a writer. I write about games, the climate crisis, technology, and more.
🚵♀️ I’m an outdoorsy person (when I’m not indoors, which is.. often). I love hiking, hillwalking, cycling, cycle touring, camping, wild swimming, etc.